No Dr. Rowley & Rfari

[UML]

Sargent also said that a “notice of pendency of other action or proceeding” was filed in the same California court yesterday to block the current Integrity Commission legal action against Google as it would be a duplication of the efforts and would provide the same information that is already in hand. The three spoke with the media at the AG’s office on St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain.

Sargent said the notice was electronically filed yesterday and informs the court that the information being sought by the commission from Google has already been provided. Ramlogan said this was just one of the many fouled Rowley-driven conspiracies against him.
“It is my intention to sue Dr Rowley for malicious defamation of character,” Ramlogan said, adding that he would also advise Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and the other ministers mentioned in the e-mails to do the same.

very interesting that he is advising the other ministers to sue, when his private matter did not cover the other ministers and the IC matter which does cover them, he is now seeking to block from further action when in fact there is no duplication of effort there as the IC's action has a broader scope.

Is block anan blocking the integrity commission dey? Nah man. I dawtin dat

CLEARLY your a "neutral" sheep and didnt read the article!!!

Ramlogan was accompanied by his lawyer, Senior Counsel Pamela Elder and his US-based counsel, partner at Computerlaw Group LLP Chris Sargent, on Skype, who explained the legal procedure that led to that determination.

Sargent also said that a “notice of pendency of other action or proceeding” was filed in the same California court yesterday to block the current Integrity Commission legal action against Google as it would be a duplication of the efforts and would provide the same information that is already in hand. The three spoke with the media at the AG’s office on St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain.

Sargent said the notice was electronically filed yesterday and informs the court that the information being sought by the commission from Google has already been provided.

[UML]

^^^with that in mind

AG sues Rowley over E-mailgate



Dereck Achong
Published:
Friday, September 12, 2014

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan has filed yet another defamation lawsuit against Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley, this time for his role in the controversial E-mailgate scandal. It comes almost three weeks after Ramlogan produced correspondence from Google Inc which he said invalidated a thread of incriminating e-mails purportedly sent between him, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and other senior government ministers.

According to the documents, filed in the Port-of-Spain High Court yesterday afternoon, Ramlogan is alleging that Rowley committed slander when he spoke extensively on the alleged conspiracy at a public meeting in San Juan, days after he revealed the e-mails in Parliament on May 20 last year. While Ramlogan’s lawyers admitted that Rowley could not be sued for his statement in the House of Representatives as it fell under parliamentary privilege, they said he had no protection for his subsequent comments. “The words complained of and the entirety of the Croisee speech made by the defendant have exposed the claimant to public scandal, ridicule and contempt and has caused his name, and office to be brought into odium and disrepute and further caused him humiliation, embarrassment and distress,” the lawsuit stated.

In addition to general and aggravated damages from Rowley for damage to his reputation, Ramlogan is also seeking more than $1.2 million in legal fees in defending the “reckless” allegation, including US$75,000 spent to sue Google to clarify the issue. The fee is still pending, with Ramlogan’s legal team in the United States still involved in a lawsuit filed by the Integrity Commission which is seeking similar information in its probe of the issue.

Ramlogan’s lawyers criticised Rowley’s handling of the situation as they questioned his admission of a six-month delay between receiving, sending them to the President and eventually revealing them in Parliament. “He could have, but did not, personally reported the matter directly to the Integrity Commission and/or the Commissioner of Police so that the matter could have been properly investigated,” the court documents said. They also accused Rowley of using the e-mails to exploit a political opportunity and of being “driven by purely selfish political ambition. “The defendant was reckless in making these false statements as he had ample time to verify the authenticity of the document containing the alleged e-mails which he claims was anonymously deposited in his mail box,” Ramlogan’s lawyers said.

In his documents to support his claim of the bogus nature of the e-mail thread, Ramlogan refered to an affidavit from Google’s custodian of records Chi Nguyen sent to him on the completion of his lawsuit in a California court on August 22. Ramlogan was careful to note that his request was not limited to the header information on the e-mail, which were already ruled questionable by two local information technology experts hired by him. “Google also searched the contents of the claimant’s e-mail account to determine whether the alleged e-mails were sent or received by him or the Honourable Prime Minister. “Every single e-mail that was sent by the claimant to the Honourable Prime Minister and vice-versa for the relevant period was in fact produced by Google to eliminate any doubt,” the lawsuit stated. Ramlogan is being represented by Senior Counsel Pamela Elder and attorneys Kelvin Ramkissoon, Gerald Ramdeen and Richard Jagai.

Ramlogan Speaks: Contacted yesterday, Ramlogan said he decided to file the lawsuit to protect the integrity of the Government. He said since assuming office in 2010 he was repeatedly hit with baseless attacks from Rowley. Ramlogan said the lawsuit was one of several he had filed against Rowley, including for accusations made against him in the Section 34 fiasco, pertaining to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and for allegations that he awarded State briefs to his former law chambers.

While he admitted that all the cases are still pending in court, Ramlogan said: “It is interesting that he has been in default of several court directions and orders whereby he has failed to produce any evidence to substantiate his outrageous accusations.” Stating the PNM was in a “credibility crisis”, Ramlogan warned citizens to be cautious with that party’s criticism of the Government. “He is prepared to sacrifice the truth on the alter of political expediency when it suits him,” Ramlogan said.

History of E-mailgate: During a motion of no confidence in Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on May 20, last year, Rowley produced the list of 31 e-mails allegedly sent between Prime Minister, Attorney General, Local Government Minister and the National Security Minister as he accused them of “high crime” and “misbehaviour of public office”. The conspiracy involved harming a T&T Guardian journalist who had broken the Section 34 story, spying on the DPP’s office, leaning on Chief Justice Ivor Archie to appoint DPP Roger Gaspard as a judge and a plot to cover up the entire affair.

Rowley read out the e-mails in Parliament after waiting on then president George Maxwell Richards to act on the same information for some six months, having forwarded it to him in 2012. The parties implicated in the plot all denied any wrongdoing with the PM, asking acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams to launch an investigation into the incident, the result of which is still pending. In an effort to clear his name Ramlogan filed the lawsuit against Google earlier this year, with the internet giant acceding to the request last month. The Integrity Commission’s investigation is ongoing with their lawsuit still pending before the US court. Ramlogan has intervened in the lawsuit using his Google response which he said negated the need for further investigation.
http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2014-09- ... e-mailgate

[kaylex]

UML.. rename the thread// UML COMMENTS ON ROWLEY//

[rabiesebola]

once again we are under attack by the indian Miss. Man UML....when will it stop? take yuh flour and oil and chill nah jeez

[UML]

Moonilal riles Rowley, McDonald



Gail Alexander
Published:
Saturday, September 13, 2014


Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley attempts to calm Port of-Spain South MP Marlene McDonald, left, who reacts to a comment made by Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal during yesterday’s budget debate in Parliament. At right is PNM MP Donna Cox. Photo: ABRAHAM DIAZ

House Leader Dr Roodal Moonilal provoked the anger of Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley yesterday when he spoke about questionable projects and situations which he said occurred under Rowley’s tenure as PNM housing minister. During Moonilal’s contribution to yesterday’s Parliament debate on the 2015 budget, Rowley jumped up twice, saying angrily on one occasion that he wasn’t minister when a certain project was being done.

Moonilal said Rowley’s budget presentation lived up to a CNC3 television poll that it would not have been strong and it was also tame and ill prepared. Reeling off many positive 2015 budget reviews, Moonilal said, “The only people who aren’t pleased with the budget is the PNM.”

He said during Rowley’s Housing Ministry tenure up to 2007, the Edinburgh Towers in Chaguanas went from $50 million to $150 million and were riddled with issues, which he detailed, and the ground under a Debe project kept shifting in a “$112 million mistake.”

He said the Las Alturas development in Morvant also rose from $65 million to $90 million and two towers valued at $26 million had to be demolished since geo-technical work wasn’t done, though Rowley was a geologist. Moonilal showed pictures of the situation, which angered Rowley, who jumped up, stressing he had “nothing to do with that!”

Moonilal withdrew it, but noted the span of Rowley’s Housing tenure. He said even if construction began in 2008, project planning and execution would have taken place two years previously when Rowley was the minister. Rowley again jumped up, so angry that he sputtered as he said the towers were done after he left the ministry.

Moonilal said while Rowley was minister, former PNM MP Franklin Khan (also PNM chairman) had a family business, Vidara Ltd, that obtained $53 million worth of HDC projects from 2006 to 2007. He challenged him to deny it. Moonilal said, “And they want to talk about transparency...that’s why they’re desperate to get into government again, they’re seeing money.”

Revealing PNM government infighting, Moonilal revealed an e-mail sent by then PNM minister Emily Dick-Forde within the ministry which said Rowley had called her a liar on HDC tender rules. Moonilal also said the US courts had proven the purported e-mail addresses which Rowley produced in the 2013 E-mailgate scandal didn’t exist.

Noting PNM deputy leader Orville London had said in May 2013 that Rowley would pay the price if his information was wrong, Moonilal said, “If he (Rowley) had any shame he’d have tendered his resignation in the aftermath (of the court’s pronouncement), but E-mailgate has now become Rowleygate.

“When US courts say you’ve fabricated the situation and sought to undermine government officials, it speaks to one’s credibility and who is really reckless, dishonest and dangerous. Even poor people have to be concerned because if one can fabricate information against a prime minister, what will you do with a poor person who cannot go to the US courts to clear their name? A future PNM government will bring a reign of terror.”

Moonilal noted Rowley had to apologise for falsely accusing the Attorney General of making racist remarks and other issues also had to be cleared up. He said Rowley’s credibility was important since the PNM presented itself as T&T’s alternative government, but the ghost of the Landate issue still followed Rowley.

Moonilal also aroused the ire of PNM’s Marlene McDonald, who began shouting at him and pointing her finger (so much so that Rowley had to put a hand on her arm to restrain her) after Moonilal told her the Government had built a police post in her constituency. Saying the PNM was aided and abetted by the ILP’s Jack Warner, Moonilal said more false propaganda would be issued against the PP in the election year.
http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2014-09- ... y-mcdonald

[UML]

so nobody build it, it build by itself!

PNM ministers deny role in $26m Las Alturas towers



Board minutes show Rowley was housing minister...

Renuka Singh

Published:
Sunday, September 14, 2014

Two former People’s National Movement (PNM) housing ministers have distanced themselves from the now demolished $26 million Las Alturas towers at Morvant. Both Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley and former PNM minister Emily Dick-Forde, who for consecutive periods were responsible for housing around the time of the multi-million dollar housing project, said they had nothing to do with it.

Neither can say when construction of the now demolished structure began or ended. House Leader and current Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal angered Rowley on Friday when he spoke about questionable projects and situations which he said occurred under Rowley’s tenure as PNM housing minister.

He said the Las Alturas development in Morvant rose from $65 million to $90 million and two towers valued at $26 million had to be demolished since geo-technical work had not been done, though Rowley was a geologist. Moonilal showed pictures of the situation which angered Rowley, who jumped up, stressing he had “nothing to do with that!” The Sunday Guardian obtained copies of the board minutes from a January 27, 2007, Housing Development Corporation (HDC) meeting which listed the project.

There was no similar information on the project in the board minutes from 2004 to 2006. Rowley was the housing minister from 2004 to November 2007. Dick-Forde replaced him on November 17, 2007. According to the HDC board minutes, the towers project was handled by China Jiangsu at a total cost of $26,970,073.02 (exclusive of fees) and at the time of the board meeting the construction was almost complete and carried a delivery date of January 30, 2007.

Rowley, in an interview with the Sunday Guardian yesterday, confirmed that the original structure was completed under his watch, but he denied any knowledge of the construction of the portion that had to be demolished.

“When I became minister of housing, I met that project there and almost complete. I defy anyone to show my part in that construction [of the demolished structure]. Yes, I finished the two blocks and handed out keys, but I was very surprised when I heard there was another tower because I knew the ground was shifting. It was a surprise to me,” Rowley said.

“That tower was built after I left office. The HDC board continued the project. That tower was not built when I was minister, and I was party to no discussion,” Rowley said. “Unlike Dr (Roodal) Moonilal I do not micro-manage. I do not know what board-level decisions were taken, and I was party to no discussions,” he said.

Rowley said under his watch, the PNM delivered houses on a regular basis, almost every two weeks and questioned why the current Government had been “spending billions” on houses, yet was unable to distribute the homes to citizens.

Dick-Forde: I inherited a mess
When Rowley demitted that office in November 2007, Dick-Forde stepped into his ministerial shoes. However, in a subsequent telephone interview yesterday, she too denied any knowledge of the multi-million dollar structure. “I do not know anything at all about that building,” Dick-Forde said. “I have no recollection of ever approaching Cabinet for that project,” she said. Dick-Forde said when she took over the HDC from Rowley, she inherited “a mess.”

“A lot of things were lacking. Projects that were said to be completed and delivered, I now had to start. The HDC was in a mess, there were thousands of projects unstarted all over the place,” she said. Dick-Forde said it seemed that Rowley had “chosen to defend himself” on the Las Alturas project. “I am not falling into that trap that Dr Rowley fell into. It is possible the HDC did something the minister was not aware of,” she said.

However, Dick-Forde then added that it was not possible for the HDC to approve and begin construction without ministerial say-so and Cabinet approval. “And I can say that it was a long time after I became Minister of Housing that I had to take anything to Cabinet for approval because I was finishing construction rather than starting new projects,” she said. Rowley also questioned the accuracy and veracity of the 2007 HDC minutes that the Sunday Guardian received.

“Who sent you that? Why should I be answering to some faceless person in HDC who is anonymously making accusations [against] me? If they want to come out and say something, then let them unveil themselves,” Rowley said. On Friday, Moonilal produced a large photograph of the cracked and faded buildings which were constructed under the PNM administration and were set to be demolished in 2012. Recent photographs show the buildings have been partially demolished.

More HDC projects
Moonilal said during Rowley’s Housing Ministry tenure up to 2007, the Edinburgh Towers in Chaguanas went from $50 million to $150 million and were riddled with issues, which he detailed. He also said the ground under a Debe project kept shifting in a “$112 million mistake.”
http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2014-09- ... ras-towers

so the infamous "cost overuns"
Rowley is minister and have no knowledge of what going on in he ministry...sounding like the same thing he was complaining about Anil Roberts
projects were said to be completed and delivered and not even started...where d money went?
rowley try to use a smoke screen to divert the attention to the current housing project ROFL


...interesting

so the infamous "cost overuns"
Rowley is minister and have no knowledge of what going on in he ministry...sounding like the same thing he was complaining about Anil Roberts
projects were said to be completed and delivered and not even started...where d money went?
rowley try to use a smoke screen to divert the attention to the current housing project ROFL
D dumpster diver talking bout faceless anonymous "evidence"......like he forget about EMAILGATE!!!


...intresting

Fixed

[UML]

So the PP wanted to acknowledge the contribution of Mr Manning and PNM look bad for not praising they own, so Rowley rush and held a recognition ceremony for Manning

[Clean Whistle]

Perhaps in the right time they would have handle manning after his stupidity cost them the election. Kamla jump out sheself wrong timing prob trying to sabotage d man pension plan if he had accept that kinda yesman fraud award.

[16 cycles]

Collecting money under false pretenses is also fraud...

[rspann]

Crowley look like he trying to buss manning throat,like he trying to replace him with someone else,but boasting him up for him not to get horrors. Sando not going to take that so unless manning agree.

[Clean Whistle]

All kinda chit excuse go google how to do a spanner nah

[Crackpot]

Real beatup in here boy, but doh mind me I jus passing thru to get meh jones on allyuh

Allyuh men have a Dr. Rowley tabanca yes

I hear Rowley do this, Mooneylal say Rowley do that, the Ag go fix Rowley this time

But doh worry smallmen allyuh go get tru someday

[kjaglal76v2]

lol @ getting jones

[zoom rader]

Real beatup in here boy, but doh mind me I jus passing thru to get meh jones on allyuh

Allyuh men have a Dr. Rowley tabanca yes

I hear Rowley do this, Mooneylal say Rowley do that, the Ag go fix Rowley this time

But doh worry smallmen allyuh go get tru someday

And you have PP tabanca

[Cherish No Wrong]

They just co-sin cuz he was always going to get recognition from pnm anyway wether kamiller had offered or not, even if his smelter bubble and threatening crowley lost the polls

[UML]

Real beatup in here boy, but doh mind me I jus passing thru to get meh jones on allyuh

Allyuh men have a Dr. Rowley tabanca yes

I hear Rowley do this, Mooneylal say Rowley do that, the Ag go fix Rowley this time

But doh worry smallmen allyuh go get tru someday

And you have PP tabanca
and OPV tabanca

Fixed

[UML]

PM PROBES ROWLEY
…orders commission of enquiry into Las Alturas apartments under former housing minister

By port of spain \\\\\ Anna Ramdass anna.ramdass@trinidadexpress.com
Story Created: Sep 18, 2014 at 11:39 PM ECT
Story Updated: Sep 18, 2014 at 11:39 PM ECT




Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley will be a key subject in a commission of enquiry ordered by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday to investigate the Las Alturas housing project in Morvant.
The two-tower project cost $26 million but had to be demolished due to structural problems.
Persad-Bissessar announced former high-level members of the People’s National Movement (PNM), including Rowley, will be probed to determine who was responsible for the scandal.
She said the commission will deter­mine whether there are any grounds for criminal and civil proceedings against any person or entity; whether criminal proceedings should therefore be recommended to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for his consideration; and whether civil proceedings should be recommended to the Attorney General for his consideration.
The Prime Minister said the Las Alturas buildings H and I were designed by the PNM, the contractor was hired by the PNM, constructed by the PNM and the buildings collapsed under the PNM.
She said the project, which should have provided homes for 48 families, has cost this country over $26 million, plus another $2 million to demolish the buildings.
Persad-Bissessar noted both Rowley, who was a former housing minister under the PNM, as well as Emily Gaynor Dick-Forde, who succeeded him, have distanced themselves from the project, singing like Shaggy, “It wasn’t me”.
She also pointed out PNM Senator Faris Al-Rawi was on the board of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) when this project was born.
“The people of this country have a right to know who is accountable for this construction disaster that may soon become the new flag-bearer for the Member for Diego Martin West’s tenure as Minister of Housing,” said Persad-Bissessar.
The Prime Minister said she
was disgusted when Hou­­sing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal spoke on the matter in Parliament and she requested the file on Las Alturas be brought to her.
She provided the timeline of the start of the project to its demise (see box at right).
“So where did that money go? We have to answer that question. Should the public today do like the PNM did and sweep this matter under the carpet? Should these high- profile PNM members not be able to explain what happened under their watch?” asked Persad-Bissessar.


Construction timeline

n On March 31, 2004, the former Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT) board, led by former executive chairman Calder Hart, unanimously agreed to award a contract of $67.62 million, inclusive of VAT, to China Jiangsu International Corporation (CJIC) for the construction of 297 apartments in Lady Young Road, Morvant.
n Rowley was the line minister for UDeCOTT from November 10, 2003, to November 2007, and the decision was made under his watch.
n There were early warning signs about the project as in March 2005, a letter was sent from UDeCOTT’s chief construction engineer, Ian Telfer, to Planning Associates Ltd (PAL), informing them UDeCOTT was aware of significant movement of the lower slope of the site, which may have serious repercussions with respect to the construction of the multi-storey apartment buildings in that area.
n Another letter was sent from PAL to UDeCOTT CEO Winston Agard, revealing there was evidence of land movement where Blocks F, G, H and J were located.
n Despite all of this, Persad-Bissessar said, in March 2005, CJIC (who put forward the lowest bid du­ring the tendering process for the project) requested an additional $8.2 million to complete works on the Las Alturas project.
n UDeCOTT then engaged Geo Tech Associates to provide geotechnical information concerning the site chosen, but the information provided failed to detect there was a partially blocked ravine and the presence of a spring on the site which contributed to slippage of the hill and, therefore, it was conceivable the total number of units to be constructed may have to be reduced by half.
n On July 30, 2007, CJIC was awarded the contract for 24 months and given possession of the site.
n The cost of the contract was $74,876,832 for 134 units in 20 buildings.
n ”At that time, the Member for Diego Martin West was housing minister, one Mr Andre Monteil was the chairman of the HDC and a Mr Faris Al-Rawi was a director of the HDC,” said Persad-Bissessar.
n On January 24, 2008, phase two of the project was signed between HDC & CJIC—when Dick-Forde was now housing minister.
n In October 2008, a geotechnical (subsoil) investigation report was prepared by Geotech Associates Ltd to define the foundation works for Buildings H, I and J.
n CJIC commenced work for buildings H and I on December 8, 2008; nearly a year later in November 2009, signs of cracking were observed on the ground-floor slab of building H.
n Since 2005, red flags were raised and ignored.
n In January 2010, buildings H and I were completed but despite this, a few months later in October 2010, Geotech Associates was asked to do a second soil report although cracks were seen before in 2009.
n Geotech Associates did further extensive geotechnical studies during November and December 2010 and submitted a final report, which noted the land was moving laterally and was affected by land sliding.
n Civil Engineering Management and Services (CEMAS, the company that designed Buildings H, I and J) provided additional recommendations that portions of each building (H and I) be demolished to relieve stress to the structure.
n Dr Robert Ratay, an international forensic structural engineer, along with his team of structural and geotechnical experts from Sevrund Associates Consulting Engineers and Mueser Ruteledge Consulting
Engineers, were engaged to
provide a report which con­cluded the lowest degree of
difficulty and risk was to demolish selected units of blocks H and I and to abandon the site.
n Trintoplan Consults Ltd concluded Building H was too severely damaged to be salvaged and while parts of I can be salvaged, it may be inevitable Building I would also have to be demolished.
n The reason for the damage was a landslip which ran under both of the buildings.
n CJIC was awarded a contract for $67.62 million for the construction of 297 apartments. However, UDeCOTT only managed blocks A and B, in which 56 units were built.
n The HDC managed Phase 2 which encompassed Blocks C-I and yielded 116 units.
n In total therefore, only 172 apartments were constructed, which meant there was an additional 125 units which were paid for but which were never constructed.
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/PM- ... 94671.html

Diversionary tactic? Like Rowley afraid of the Las Alturas COE.

[De Dragon]

Rowley izza heediaaatt! He does fly off de handle with the slightest of chain up/provocation.

[zoom rader]

Rowley izza heediaaatt! He does fly off de handle with the slightest of chain up/provocation.

This is why he is not PM material.
He's to arrogant and has a short fuse.

[UML]

Ironic that the pnm will refer to the COE into Las.Alturas as "fishing, a personal attack, character assassination, for political gain" etc. Because that epitomizes their emailgate scandal

[UML]

Rambachan: Rowley not fit to be PM

Published:
Monday, September 29, 2014


Works and Infrastructure Minister Dr Surujrattan Rambachan yesterday expressed support for Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s decision to co-sponsor the United Nations resolution on terrorism. He did so after Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley told supporters at the People’s National Movement’s (PNM) St Ann’s East Constituency’s annual conference that the prime minister should not have co-sponsored the resolution.

Rambachan, speaking at the official opening of the $28 million Calcutta Bridge B1/3 at Balmain, Couva, said Persad-Bissessar showed a lot of courage on Wednesday in New York, in co-sponsoring such an important resolution. He said T&T is not immune to terrorism and referred to the 1990 attempted coup and the Port-of-Spain dustbin bomber.

The resolution, which was supported by over 90 countries at the UN Security Council meeting at the UN headquarters in NY, was spearheaded by US President Barack Obama. Rambachan said by co-sponsoring the resolution, which allows for monitoring of terrorists’ movements, T&T has made the bold statement of saying no to terrorism. He said he was heartened to see various organisations, including the Islamic community, come out in support of Persad-Bissessar.

This decision by the prime minister, he said, shows that the Government is not only dealing with local issues, but global challenges of terrorism as well. “We are living in challenging times,” Rambachan told Calcutta residents who had gathered to witness the formal opening of the bridge they have been waiting on for the past 12 months.

Rambachan said he took issue with Rowley’s statements. He said the PNM leader did not understand international politics and by his statements has shown that he is not fit to be prime minister of T&T. “I think what you are seeing is an opposition leader who does not have any vision, who does not understand global politics, who does not understand what is happening in the international environment and at every turn he is showing that he lacks competence to be a leader in this country.”
http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2014-09- ... -fit-be-pm

[UML]

AG Responds to Dr. Keith Rowley: Silence is not an option

Last Updated on 02.10.2014
Published Date

The Honourable Attorney General Anand Ramlogan SC, condemns the reckless suggestion made by Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley that the government should have "stayed away" and refused to support President Barack Obama's UN Resolution against foreign terrorist fighters. This Resolution sought to build a global partnership in the international community so that we can all rise to meet the mounting challenge of terrorism.

Terrorism is a crime against humanity and democracy. It is a stateless and border-less atrocity that has ramifications for every single nation. We in Trinidad and Tobago have not been immune from the deadly and destructive effects of such an evil and the government is therefore pleased to support President Obama on this historic initiative. In so doing, we have joined the other 103 nations from around the world (including Jamaica) that co-sponsored this Resolution to build a global alliance to confront the scourge of terrorism.

Dr Rowley's vision of Trinidad and Tobago as a small and insignificant player on the world stage is perhaps more reflective of his own lack of understanding and awareness of the tremendous potential of our people and the international respect our small nation commands. His statement that we cannot afford to declare war on terrorists "at a time you can stay away" is naive and cowardly. The war against terrorism is not one from which any nation can afford to stay away. It is our collective duty and responsibility to join hands to protect our citizens.

Dr. Rowley's attitude belittles our nation and reveals the self-imposed intellectual fetter that limits his vision and prevents him from seeing the true greatness of our people and nation. We have long made our mark on the world stage as evidence by the creativity of our carnival, our inventive steelpan, our contribution to the establishment of the International Criminal Court and the many other sons and daughters of our nation who serve the international community in high offices.

It is backward and anachronistic for any potential leader to say "little Trinidad and Tobago has to be careful to walk among the gears and don't get crushed". It is clear that Dr Rowley has no idea of foreign policy and he has no vision for Trinidad and Tobago beyond our shores. It is noteworthy that the Leader of the Opposition of Jamaica has voiced no such criticism of the Jamaican government for co-sponsoring this Resolution.

We will benefit from the sharing of critical data and intelligence with our allies and the strengthened network of security and law enforcement agencies that can now work together. The Resolution is a proactive and progressive step in the right direction that will bring training opportunities, invaluable transfer of expertise, enhance the capacity of our security agencies, make us all more aware and alert and improve our chances against terrorists. In accepting the call of the international community, the Government recognizes that now more than ever, terrorism is inextricably linked with other criminal enterprises such as the illegal trade of arms and narcotics and human trafficking all of which are critical issues for the national security of Trinidad and Tobago. That this escapes Dr. Rowley shows that at best he is myopic with respect to the strategic security interests of the country.

The Honourable Attorney General does not agree that this was a time "when you can stay away" from supporting such an important UN Security Resolution. It would have been irresponsible for the government to refuse support, more so at a time when PM Persad-Bissessar is the current Chairperson of the Security Committee of the CARICOM. Given the PNM's political relationship with the Jamaat Al Muslimeen, Dr Rowley's stance is all the more troubling and leaves us to wonder why he is against us participating in the fight against terrorism.

The government is proud to do its part in reinforcing the international partnership in the fight against terrorism. To do otherwise would send the wrong signal and sully our international reputation and image as a constitutional democracy with respect for the rule of law. We cannot do as Dr Rowley asks and bury our heads in the sand. Silence is not an option in the fight against terrorism and we must all join hands.


- MINISTRY OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

October 1st, 2014
http://ctntworld.com/cnews2/index.php?o ... Itemid=707

PM to Rowley: No place for political prejudice in terrorism fight
Posted On 29 Sep 2014

THE suggestion by Opposition Leader, Dr Keith Rowley that Trinidad & Tobago should have attempted to dodge or hide from a United Nations Resolution against terrorism amounts to a callous attempt to politicise a grave issue that has destroyed millions of lives around the world Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has said.

In a statement to the media on Monday, the Prime Minister dismissed the Opposition Leader’s suggestion, saying that he “continues to fail to understand that leadership is not about creating mischief and using his personal political prejudice to divide people, but actually requires taking a stand for freedom, social justice and the security and wellbeing of people.”

According to the Prime Minister: “Despite the reality and open threat to all countries, Dr Rowley still fails to understand that the fight against terrorism is not a responsibility that can be ignored, or avoided, or politicised in petty arguments. In fact, the position being peddled by Dr Rowley has the potential to favour terrorism, not fight it.”

“His statement that ‘we cannot afford to declare war on terrorists at a time when you can stay away’ is an open admission of a lack of boldness required by leaders of free and democratic societies. It is an open declaration that he is prepared to turn a blind eye to wrong-doing and to the dangers people face because he hasn’t the ability to envision the work and the determined action required to truly protect both the people of our country and people generally.”

Declaring the war against terrorism as “a collective duty and responsibility” the Prime Minister stated: “When people, families and communities face threats to peace and life, the only decision any good and compassionate leader must make is to fight against anyone who lays threats to the innocent, whether or not it is in our region.”

“Terrorism has no demographic, nor is it restrained to any country or region, it is something that grows when it is ignored. To do as Dr Rowley has suggested, and be too weak to take a stand is to cede power to those who threaten lives, peace and freedom.”

Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar added: “Dr Rowley’s thinking and attempt to pronounce on foreign policy without even an understanding of how our nation fits into a new global dynamic demonstrates that at no point has he taken a true and realistic view of how Trinidad & Tobago has grown in partnerships, strength, influence and impact in the global community of free countries.”

“Without that fortitude to take an honest look at our Trinidad & Tobago, he has confessed that he perceives our people and nation as small and inconsequential. He has in effect insulted the progress and standing of our people and such backward thinking has the potential to hurt us almost as much as being too afraid to face up to issues which threaten stability.”

“It is interesting to note that the Leader of the Opposition of Jamaica has voiced no such criticism of the Jamaican government for co-sponsoring this Resolution,” the Prime Minister added.

This UN Resolution seeks to build a global partnership in the international community so that all countries can rise to meet the mounting challenge of terrorism, which is a crime against humanity and democracy.

Trinidad and Tobago declared support for US President Barack Obama on this initiative and joined 103 nations from around the world in co-sponsoring the Resolution to build a global alliance to confront the scourge of terrorism.

Trinidad and Tobago and the region will benefit from the sharing of critical data and intelligence with our allies and the strengthened network of security and law enforcement agencies that can now work together.

The UN Resolution has been described as a proactive and progressive step in the right direction that will bring training opportunities, invaluable transfer of expertise, enhance the capacity of our security agencies, make us all more aware and alert and improve our chances against terrorists.
http://unctt.org/pm-to-rowley-no-place- ... ism-fight/

COP congratulates PM on anti-terrorism stand

CHARLIEVILLE - The Congress of the People has expressed full support for the Prime Minister’s endorsement of a United Nations resolution which authorises US-led attacks against the international terrorist group, ISIS.

Political Leader Prakash Ramadhar has told Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar that the COP supports a pro-active approach to dealing with serious threats such as those posed by ISIS. He pointed out that in today’s global environment in which there is free and easy movement of people across political and geographic borders, citizens of Trinidad and Tobago are equally at risk of being harmed by ISIS as are citizens of any other country.

In this context, Mr. Ramadhar said the Government of Trinidad and Tobago had a responsibility to protect its citizens abroad by supporting any legitimate effort at reducing or eliminating the threats posed by terrorist groups. Responding to criticisms from PNM Leader Dr Keith Rowley, the COP leader said it was the PNM’s philosophy to ignore problems and pretend they don’t exist, only for those problems to grow and to become more acute. Stating that Trinidad and Tobago is a regional leader, Mr Ramadhar added that it was necessary for this country to adopt strong positions on issues that are sometimes difficult. He said it is the COP’s firm belief that a responsible government cannot turn a blind eye to real problems and hope the problems will go away, but to tackle them head-on.

According to Mr. Ramadhar, the need for countries like Trinidad and Tobago to become involved is emphasized by the UN’s Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Mr. Jeffrey Feltman. He told a meeting of the UN’s Counter-Terrorism Committee that “the evolution of the terrorist threat in new and unpredictable directions is one of the most serious challenges facing the international community”.

He said Mr Feltman’s insistence that “there is no more time to lose: we have to act concertedly and with determination” is consistent with the position articulated by Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar.

In congratulating the Prime Minister on her endorsement of the UN resolution, Mr. Ramadhar reiterated that was a necessary approach to ensuring the long-term safety and well-being of all our citizens.
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php? ... 8646136935

[UML]

No need to attract Isis eyes on T&T

Tweet

Rowley on PM’s UN resolution support
Geisha Kowlessar
Published:
Monday, October 6, 2014
PNM leader Dr Keith Rowley greets chairman of the Youth League Jamila Noel Harewood during the Diego Martin West Constituency’s annual conference at the Point Cumana Community Complex, Point Cumana, yesterday. PHOTO: MARCUS GONZALES

People’s National Movement (PNM) leader Dr Keith Rowley is again warning that the People’s Partnership Government has put the lives of citizens, including those abroad, at a greater risk by co-sponsoring a United Nations resolution aimed at tackling global terrorism. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar made the decision to co-sponsor the resolution at a meeting of the UN Security Council, chaired by United States President Barack Obama at UN headquarters, New York, two weeks ago.

But at the Diego Martin West Constituency’s annual conference at the Point Cumana Community Complex in Point Cumana yesterday, Rowley accused the PM of wanting to take on the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis). Describing Persad-Bissessar’s actions as wild and reckless, Rowley added, “That action by the prime minister has put every citizen at greater risk both and home and abroad.

“And when you asked the prime minister whether she consulted Caricom, she said she talked to Ramlogan and Griffith. And if we did not know before, we now know we are in trouble because our foreign policy is now the random thoughts of Ramlogan and Griffith.” He said T&T was incapable of fighting crime on Duncan Street, Port-of-Spain, far less tackling the now globally feared Isis, which has targeted non-military citizens of countries seen as allies to the US with deadly force.

As such, Rowley reiterated his statement that co-sponsoring the resolution could have serious repercussions for citizens. Describing the move by Persad-Bissessar as “no laughing matter,” Rowley said there was no need for the PM to expose T&T to possibly attacks by Isis jihadists in such a fashion, since once the resolution was passed by the majority, every member country of the UN was bound by it, even if a member county was absent when the resolution was passed.

“Trinidad and Tobago and the United States are very close friends,” he said “They are our major trading partner but their business and their interest may not necessarily on every occasion be our business and our interests.” He said the resolution was largely aimed at the current war in Syria and Iraq, where Muslim extremists of the “worst kind” were trying to claim territories and terrorists were trying to build a case for themselves.

“And anybody who get in their way they would deal with you. I am not saying we are outside that, because the world is now a global village, but when there is war and you take up the flag to carry in front of the army you are a target of the opposition,” Rowley said. He also clarified statements by Attorney General Anand Ramlogan that he was not in support of the resolution.

Saying he was in fully support of it, Rowley called on Persad-Bissessar to say what she was thinking when she made the decision. “I never said we should not vote for the resolution. I think we should vote for the resolution. What is the thinking to go and be a co-sponsor of the resolution if you are attracting unwanted attention to yourself?

“Because in any case it is a declaration of war on the terrorists. It is a declaration of war against their actions which are reprehensible. But we have also to be sensible in the environment...you do what you have to do.” He said Persad-Bissessar only made the decision to co-sponsor the resolution so as to “prostrate” herself on the world stage for her “minions” to laud her efforts.
http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2014-10- ... is-eyes-tt

no wonder the PNM did nothing wrt MR BIG!

they accustom doing this



wrt to serious matters







AND




NO ROWLEY...tampering with shells of spent ammunition is ILLEGAL. I really hope an example is set of him by the authorities!

[UML]

This place real jokey

PM wants to hold me with weed
By JULIEN NEAVES Monday, October 6 2014

PEOPLE’S National Movement (PNM) Political Leader Dr Keith Rowley says the Government’s attempt to buy out the retirement leave of retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Wayne Dick suggests that the Cabinet is in charge of the Police Service.

He also expressed concern that this type of Cabinet control of the police could lead to officers (instructed by political opponents) to plant marijuana in his vehicle.

“I know the Prime Minister want to hold me with a bag of weed in my trunk,” he claimed.

He was speaking yesterday at the Diego Martin West Constituency Conference 2014 held at the Point Cumana Community Complex. He claimed that the Government wanted to extend their reach into the police service and this extension was “very worrisome” and pointed to the failed “soldier police” legislation.

Rowley had taken issue with the government’s decision to buy out Dick’s leave to the tune of $0.5 million and bypassing the Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams.

He also questioned Labour Minister Errol McLeod whom, he claimed, had presided over the move during his recent stint as acting prime minister, whether or not he was related to the retired ACP or he will refer the matter to the Integrity Commission.

Attempts to contact McLeod yesterday were unsuccessful.

Yesterday at the meeting Rowley questioned who is giving the Assistant Commissioner of Police assignments.

“Suppose, I’m not saying that this happened I am just saying suppose, their assignment is to get Rowley in trouble before the (general) election,” he said. He continued, “Suppose I am coming down the (Priority) Bus Route one night and (a policeman) stop me and he look in meh car and he open the back door and he go in the trunk and close it back and I gone home and when I reach home a couple of police officers come to meh door, open meh trunk and it have a bag of weed inside there. What is my position?” He stressed countries that lost their way started off on the same track.

remember Sadiq Baksh water tank? Rowley's Emailgate scandal? Rowley's NY Consulate Scandal?

since the soldiers in Laventille, how many killings have taken place?

[rfari]

What did growley do to tamper with spent shells?

[Habit7]

I don't think UML really knows. He is just repeating the rhetoric that was given to him.

[UML]

‘50 Trinis fighting with ISIS terrorists in Syria’
By \\\\\ Mark Bassant CCN Senior Multimedia Investigative Journalist

Story Created: Sep 25, 2014 at 10:25 PM ECT

Story Updated: Sep 26, 2014 at 10:27 AM ECT

At least 50 Trinidadians have flown to Syria to join the terrorist organisation Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) within the last several months.

Intelligence sources as well as those in a certain religious sect have confirmed the local fighters have been leaving the country to head to Syria over the last few months.

Minister of National Security Gary Griffith when contacted about this several weeks ago stated, “ I will neither confirm or deny this.”

On TV6’s Morning Edition yesterday, Griffith, however, said, “Trinidad and Tobago must never be seen or believe we are isolated in anyway from global terrorism.”

Griffith said this was the reason the Government has been trying to introduce electronic fingerprint technology for those entering the country. “If you put fingerprints there we are following the trail of individuals based on a watch list worldwide,” he said.

Director of National Security Operations Centre (NOC), Garvin Heerah, who spoke to the Express yesterday, said, “That situation has engaged the attention of the intelligence agencies of Trinidad and Tobago. And at this point we are unable to give a figure as such, but it is something being worked on fervently.”

Heerah said because of the recent resolution that Trinidad and Tobago agreed to co-sponsor the UN Security Council resolution on foreign terrorist fighters, he had to be very limited in the information he revealed.

“We are working hand in hand with our international partners,”said Heerah.

Intelligence, airport security sources and sources within a religious sect confirmed that many of the men and in some cases women and children have left using the route through Tobago, onward to England and then arriving in Turkey where the men cross the border, while women and children stay in Turkey.

The pattern of travel is a bit tricky, according to Heerah who said: “We are waiting further information. The reason for that is the disguised method of departure in that the departure out of Trinidad is not say through Piarco and then straight to a destination, it is staggered.”

Heerah explained that the Trinidadians were also using South American destinations and other Caribbean islands to depart from as they attempted to conceal their footprints and their final destination.

One woman who was recently part of the delegation held in Venezuela and sent back home left through Tobago for England then onward to Turkey, sources said.

“She also travelled with her four children ages three, four, five and nine and is now near the border of Syria, while her husband, also a Trinidadian, had been questioned as one of the men in the plot to assassinate the Prime Minister during the state of emergency and also had other pending charges is in Syria fighting for ISIS. In fact information we received is that he could be the Trinidadian voice behind a recent video in which a Syrian citizen was beheaded,” a well-placed source said.

Top ranking intelligence sources also reliably informed the Express as well as members of a certain religious sect that they had received credible information about certain men recruiting locally for ISIS.

One of the men who could be recruiting is from the Rio Claro area. A source said, “I know one man who has already gone and two of his brothers are supposed to leave soon to go to Syria to join him.”

Heerah confirmed that there were several persons locally on their radar: “There are persons of interest of which presently information is being gathered that may have an involvement, so I am not denying what you are saying.”

The local fighters are paid US$1,000 per day for fighting for ISIS.



Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday became a co-sponsor of a binding resolution compelling countries to stop their citizens leaving their homelands to join ISIS and other militant groups based in the Middle East and block them from returning to threaten their native countries using passports already granted.
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/50- ... 64881.html

Trinis surface in Isis videos

Published:
Monday, October 6, 2014
Kamla Persad-Bissessar

Two separate videos have been posted on the internet allegedly showing fighters with T&T links involved in the Isis conflict in recent weeks. One of the videos, which runs for 47 seconds, was posted earlier this year on United Kingdom-based video-sharing website LiveLeak.

The video entitled, “21 plus....Graphic and Disgusting...Foreign terrorists in Syria playing with the head of a Syrian citizen after they beheaded him,” purports to show Islamic insurgents playing with the head of a decapitated man in Syria, and features a man talking with what appears to be a Trinidadian accent. The second was posted by ISIS media arm Al-Hayat on August 2. Titled, “Eid greeting from the land of Khilafah,” it sought to invite international Muslims to join the self-proclaimed caliphate.

That video also showed an ISIS fighter, who identified himself as Abu Abdurahman al-Trinidadi encouraging Muslims to join the organisation. “I’m feeling like I’m still dreaming,” Abu Abdurahman al-Trinidadi, who reports said was a US fighter originally from Trinidad, said in the video. “You have to be here to understand what I’m saying. If you stand away you will not understand,” he added.

Al-Trinidadi was holding a young child in his hand and was standing with another man who was identified as having Trini roots as well. (To see it, scroll to 15.20.)

Al-Trinidadi’s interview was used in a subsequent CNN report highlighting the death of American-born Isis fighter Douglas McArthur McCain in Syria. McCain was the second American who has been killed fighting for Isis. That CNN report also highlighted the fact that hundreds of foreigners were joining the Isis cause.

Local Muslim organisations have, however, denied any knowledge of Trinis’ involvement in Isis fighting. When asked to confirm whether there were Trinis involved with Isis during her trip to New York, Persad-Bissessar said there was no evidence to prove this.
http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2014-10- ... sis-videos

[UML]

What did growley do to tamper with spent shells?

he was involved or in close proximity to an illegal activity. it was a police matter. he has no police powers. As a politician with so many years experience he should not be involved in that although a police officer was there.

[rfari]

What did growley do to tamper with spent shells?

he was involved or in close proximity to an illegal activity. it was a police matter. he has no police powers. As a politician with so many years experience he should not be involved in that although a police officer was there.

What exactly did he do?

[Habit7]

What did growley do to tamper with spent shells?

he was involved or in close proximity to an illegal activity. it was a police matter. he has no police powers. As a politician with so many years experience he should not be involved in that although a police officer was there.

BWAAAHAHA

please tell us more