Ibrahim to look for mastermind
(Trinidad Guardian) A five-member panel, headed by retired Justice of Appeal Mustapha Ibrahim, will seek to trace the mastermind of the July 1990 attempted coup and ascertain if any public or state officials were involved. In a statement to Parliament on the commission of enquiry on Friday, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar referred to the 1990 event as a “conspiracy to overthow the government of the time.” She warned of possible legal action against those culpable, arising from the upcoming enquiry.
Persad-Bissessar added: “Let me unequivocally state that whatever is found no one would be above the law… if there is evidence of wrongdoing wherever it may be, that will be addressed by our courts.” She added: “I think it is time the government has decided that once the enquiry reveals any evidence of wrongdoing, consideration will be given to prosecuting those culpable. “Of course it will depend on what evidence is found by the commission. Murder, for example, is not a statute-barred offence.” Commission chairman Ibrahim served in the Supreme Court of T&T and the Bahamas.
Other members of the commission are:
• Former Independent senator and social activist Diana Mahabir-Wyatt;
• Dr H A Mohammed, an international security consultant and US war veteran;
• Dr Richard Cheltenhan, QC, a leading criminal lawyer of Barbados who had headed the probe concerning former Grenada Prime Minister Keith Mitchell; and,
• Former Independent senator Dr Eastlyn McKenzie.
Persad-Bissessar said the inquiry would bring much needed closure and “expose the conspiracy that led to the temporary overthrow of the duly elected government of the day. She said: “Perhaps this inquiry may unearth the truth behind the conspiracy that led to this coup. “Why an independent inquiry was not instituted years ago, outside of the court proceedings involving Abu Bakr and his Muslimeen disciples, remains a mystery.” The team’s terms of reference are very wide, delving into the roles of all involved in the six-day siege of the T&T Parliament. On criticisms about having the probe 20 years after the event, Persad-Bissessar cited examples of inquiries held years after events. Those included Ireland, Canada, Uraguay and Suriname, she said.
She said in Suriname, Colonel Desi Bouterse was now openly demonstrating regrets and seeking public forgiveness for his involvement in a 1980 coup against the government there. Persad-Bissessar added: “This is in stark contrast to the lack of apology and absence of remorse from the Jamaat al Muslimeen.” Repeatedly questioning why the July 27 coup attempt occurred, Persad-Bissessar asked if there was a relationship between what happened then and the present wave of gun-related crime. “Who is supplying these weapons and how are they coming into T&T — is there a link?” she asked.
Persad-Bissessar said it is hoped the commission would make recommendations to ensure counter-terrorism policies and appropriate mechanisms are in place to thwart/manage an insurrection. The team also will make recommendations to ensure diplomatic and media responses are appropriate in the circumstances. Recommendations will be made on mechanisms to treat with social/political matters that can incite insurrection. Other recommendations will be expected on fortifying immigration/customs control and borders as well as ensuring state buildings are protected from threats.
The commission will be a public inquiry. The team will have the discretion to determine whether to sit wholly or from time-to-time in private. The team’s report will be sent to the President.
