Walter Rodney COI ...Ruling party calls on PNC, WPA to cooperate with investigations

Walter Rodney COI …Ruling party calls on PNC, WPA to cooperate with investigations

Mar 23, 2014 News

The People’s Progressive Party blazed the political opposition yesterday for their attempts at discrediting a Commissioner of the Dr. Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (COI) as well as the Terms of Reference (TOR).
The ruling party also called on the Opposition to cooperate fully with the COI and submit their written memoranda to the Commission by the March 26 deadline.
A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) had expressed concerns about one of the Commissioners assigned to the Walter Rodney Inquiry, Guyanese-born Senior Counsel, Seenauth Jairam, who has been practicing in Trinidad and Tobago since 1979.
The coalition was particularly concerned with the fact that there may be room for bias on Jairam’s part as he was retained as a lawyer for the PPP/C during the 2012 budget cuts court case.
The APNU had been very vocal as well about its concerns about the Terms of Reference of the Inquiry. But the Commissioners had referred the APNU to the sponsoring authority, the Government, if they wished to have the terms amended.
The PPP lashed out at the APNU yesterday for its criticism of the Terms of Reference as well as their attacks on the credibility and impartiality of Jairam.
The PPP deemed the criticisms to be “mere tactics being employed to discredit the work of the Commission.”
“Despite his public statement to the effect that he is not afraid of the outcome of the COI, David Granger’s every utterance and action seems to be one of uneasiness and apprehension at the least. The PNC Leader and his Executive have every reason to be fearful of the revelations that would flow from the Inquiry into Walter Rodney’s untimely death.”
The PPP also reminded that the Commission of Inquiries Act resides with the President. He alone has exclusive power to appoint a Commission of Inquiry on such terms constituted by those whom he deemed fit in any matter of national concern.
The APNU had also expressed concern over the fact that they were not included in the formation of the Terms of Reference, given their experience.
However, the PPP set the record straight by stating that a request was made by Mrs. Patricia Rodney, widow of the late Dr. Walter Rodney, to not involve the WPA or the PNC by way of consultations.
“It is our understanding that Mrs. Rodney did not want the process to be politicised. Had David Granger himself drafted the Terms of Reference, he would still be uncomfortable. Because since Rodney’s death, the accusatory finger has always pointed in the direction of the political party he now leads, the People’s National Congress -PNC.”
The PPP also said that it hopes the PNC uses the opportunity to exonerate its members whether past or present, from any illegal behavior that may have led to the death to the distinguished politician on June 13, 1980.
Members of the PNC and the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) had indicated that with the way their concerns are being handled they cannot say when or if they would participate in the Inquiry.
However, the PPP is calling on both parties to fully corporate with the COI.
“Perhaps the outcome of this Commission of Inquiry will unlock yet another mystery, one that will provide some clue to justify the reason Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, and other senior members of the WPA would agree to collaborate and ‘lay in bed’ with the same PNC that is widely believed to have caused the death of the WPA’s founding member/leader. This great betrayal must surely have Walter Rodney turning over in his grave every day.”

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Walter Rodney COI …Ruling party calls on PNC, WPA to cooperate with investigations

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Walter Rodney COI …Ruling party calls on PNC, WPA to cooperate with investigations

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