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24 November 2011 Last updated at 17:52 ET Share



Trinidad PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar in 'security threat'



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/worl...tin-america-15882204


Ms Persad-Bissessar says she wil not be deterred from the fight against crime

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says police have thwarted a plot to assassinate her.

Around 12 people have been arrested, including members of the army and police.

Ms Persad-Bissessar blamed the alleged plot on "criminal elements" acting in "reprisal" for a state of emergency she declared in August.

She said the Trinidadian government remained in control, with the security forces on full alert.

'Treason'

Police and government officials in the Caribbean nation have released few details of the alleged plot, saying they did not want to jeopardize ongoing investigations,

In an address to the nation, Ms Persad-Bissessar condemned the alleged conspiracy against her and several members of her cabinet as "an evil, devious act of treason".

She linked the security threat to the state of emergency she declared in August to counter a surge in violent crime linked to drugs gangs, saying she was not surprised that "criminal elements" were bent on "reprisals".

But the prime minister said the threat would not deter her government from pursuing its campaign against crime and insecurity.

She also reminded Trinidadians of a coup attempt in 1990, when a local Islamist group tried to overthrow the government.

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Panday has doubts over death threats



Published: Fri, 2011-11-25 21:38 http://www.guardian.co.tt/news...s-over-death-threats



Yvonne Webb

Former prime minister Patrick Manning has chosen to remain silent on the reported death threats against Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and three other senior Cabinet Ministers. Manning, who revealed at a political meeting in Arima, prior to the 2010 election, there was a plot to assassinate him, and later, in Point-a-Pierre, that similar threats were made by drug lords, said he had “no comment,” on the issue yesterday. However, Basdeo Panday, another former prime minister, responded to the threat with some scepticism.

He said politicians were known to create “all kinds of ruse” when they faced criticism for non-performance and in the circumstances one had to determine whether the threats were real or fake. Panday also questioned whether that was another red-herring to justify the extension of the state of emergency, scheduled to end on December 5. Speaking from his home in Palmiste, a short distance from Persad-Bissessar’s private residence, Panday berated the public manner in which the allegations had been handled.

He said threats came with the office but the difference was in the manner in which it was handled. “As Prime Minister you receive several threats, some from crazy people, some from people who are not so crazy,” he added. He said, in the circumstances, the proper thing to do was not to make it public but have the police quietly investigate and so get a positive outcome. “I recall, when I was prime minister, Mrs Panday was going to San Fernando and the security came to my office and said there was a threat on my life and Mrs Panday. She was asked to return home but nobody ran to the press,” Panday said.

He also questioned the role and function of Gary Griffith and National Security Minister John Sandy, the latter, who, he said, should be making pronouncements on the matter. In spite of his scepticism, Panday said if the threat on the life of the Prime Minister was genuine, “we must look at the causes, not only deal with the matter of arresting persons and having it pursued before the courts.”
FM
..Believe it or not there is a plot, says Gibbs



By Joel Julien




Story Created: Nov 24, 2011 at 11:50 PM ECT
Story Updated: Nov 24, 2011 at 11:50 PM ECT http://www.trinidadexpress.com...Gibbs-134476413.html



BELIEVE IT or not. Roll Eyes


This was the statement made by Commissioner of Police Dwayne Gibbs yesterday in response to sceptics who suggest that the assassination plot against Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and members of her Cabinet may be a hoax.

Gibbs addressing a press conference at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann's yesterday said the police were able to uncover a plan to kill Persad-Bissessar and several members of her Cabinet.

Persad-Bissessar, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan, Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal who is also the Leader of the Lower House and Local Government Minister Chandresh Sharma are said to have been on the hit list discovered by police. Roll Eyes

As a result of the information obtained by the police the country was put on "high alert", Gibbs said.

A dozen people, including police officers and soldiers, have been held in connection with the assassination plot so far, Gibbs said.

However, in an effort not to compromise national security, Gibbs said he could not divulge details of the assassination plot.

"It is very important for us to keep the details close to our chest we do not want to compromise national security," Gibbs said yesterday.

"We get information from all different sources but we would not divulge where this information has come from, certainly we have taken up people and because of this national threat that we have received these people are detained and further investigations are continuing," Gibbs said.

Persad-Bissessar, who was also present at yesterday's press conference, said it would be "reckless" for the details of the assassination plot to be discussed.

"It would be reckless to say the least for any government while investigations are ongoing to come and expose the details," Persad-Bissessar said.

Asked for a comment on claims that the assassination plot may be a "smokescreen", Gibbs said:

"All I can say is that we all expressed that there is a threat and if you choose not to believe that then I guess that is your prerogative, but certainly as there has been expressed a clear threat that has come to the Police Service, we have acted on that threat and it is in national security interest to keep those details close to our chests."

Gibbs said that Selwyn "Robocop" Alexis is being held but would not reveal the reason for his detention.

Gibbs who stood alongside Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier General Kenrick Maharaj during yesterday's press conference said the Defence Force and the Police Service are working "very assiduously" to ensure national safety.

Private security firms have also been approached to assist local law enforcement with efforts to ensure national security, Gibbs said.

The Diplomatic Centre in St Ann's was fortified with soldiers yesterday.

Armed soldiers were positioned in various vantage points around the Diplomatic Centre including the tower.

Soldiers and barricades were placed on the driveway into the Diplomatic Centre yesterday. Members of the media and their vehicles were subject to searches.

So strict were the security measures Nick Davis, a journalist from international news agency the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), was denied entry into the Diplomatic Centre despite being armed with his media accreditation.

Davis, who is in Trinidad doing a documentary of the State of Emergency, was eventually allowed to enter the Diplomatic Centre.

A fully tinted Toyota Prado filled with armed soldiers drove up and down outside the Diplomatic Centre while several foot patrols were also seen.
FM
Muslims 'uneasy' over plot against Kamla



Story Created: Nov 25, 2011 at 10:56 PM ECT
Story Updated: Nov 25, 2011 at 10:56 PM ECT http://www.trinidadexpress.com...Kamla-134516473.html



THE State is being called upon to identify which Islamic organisation is alleged to be involved in a plot to assassinate Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and several senior government ministers.

General secretary of the Trinidad Muslim League (TML), Azid Ali, said yesterday his and other organisations are "uneasy" over the possibility that Muslims from a local group are behind the plan.

"That situation definitely has us uneasy," Ali said, in a telephone interview yesterday. "I think they (the government) definitely have to clarify which particular group they have held members of and are questioning. This reflects badly on all of us Muslims. It not only tarnishes the image of those groups allegedly involved but on all Muslims."

Details of the planned assassination have been scarce since Persad-Bissessar announced on Thursday that security forces are on high alert since uncovering the plot.

On Wednesday, police arrested Selwyn 'Robocop' Alexis for his alleged connection to the plot, which security sources on Wednesday told the Express had targeted the PM, Attorney General, Anand Ramlogan, National Security Minister, Brigadier John Sandy, Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Surujrattan Rambachan, several others ministers and several senior police officers.

Several people arrested in connection with the plot are said to be practicing Muslims and a senior government minister on Wednesday also said the plot had its source in an "extremist fringe group".

Ali said Islam does not condone the activities those being held are accused of and if the allegations are true, then the so called Muslims being questioned are "out of the scope of Islam".

He said local Muslims are so far thankful that Trinidad and Tobago culture does not foster religious intolerance and backlash from accusations such as these. "We hope it stays that way," Ali said.

He added that his organisation has so far not been privy to any evidence that the allegations being made by the state are true.

"But we would be concerned, whether the allegations were made against Muslims or non-Muslims," Ali said.

On Thursday, some Muslims in Central Trinidad complained of being "branded" in a negative fashion, in light of the alleged plot.

Ali said he was not familiar with the problems being experienced by some Central Muslims, though he understands searches have been conducted at mosques and Islamic centres not only in Central Trinidad but other parts of the country.


—Kim Boodram
FM
Detention of Islamic scholar puzzles followers



Story Created: Nov 27, 2011 at 2:07 AM ECT
Story Updated: Nov 27, 2011 at 2:07 AM ECT http://www.trinidadexpress.com...owers-134548863.html




AMONG the people detained in connection with the alleged plot to kill Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and three ministers is an Islamic scholar.

He is also the principal of the Darul Qur'an Wal Hadith Islamic School, of Calcutta No 2, Freeport. He is married, in his early 50s, with a son, and daughter who died recently of cancer.

He studied in Saudi Arabia and while his khutbahs (sermons) are considered controversial, many in the Islamic community said they were shocked to learn of the man's arrest.

Many said he was incapable of the assassination allegations being made by Persad-Bissessar and Police Commissioner Dwayne Gibbs.

At the family home at Mathilda Village, Princes Town, the man's son said he was told not to speak about his father's detention at a police station in north Trinidad, after his arrest on Monday.

However, many in the community said while his kuthbahs (sermons) were controversial, he was no threat.

Umar Abdullah, head of the Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (Islamic Front) said the man could be considered "moderate' in his views.

"He would have nothing to do with this kind of thing. There is nothing tangible in this (and) the government is grasping at straws and our brothers are being held against their will."

At the Islamic private school Friday, an official told the Sunday Express the claims being made about the principal were "ridiculous".

The official said, "This man's life has been seeing about the school and teachers. It is about educating the children to become good and disciplined Muslims."

The official said: "We are baffled by this. He is here every day of the week from 7 a.m to 2 p.m. When will he have time to do anything? We have been doing dua (prayers) for him constantly, the staff and the children. This is a good and helpful person. It must be a mistake."
FM

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