VZCZCXRO4614
RR RUEHGR
DE RUEHSP #0256 1602026
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 092026Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9891
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC

UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 000256 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR INL AND WHA/CAR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV KCRM TD
SUBJECT: US EMBASSY MEETS WITH OPPOSITION TO DISCUSS LEGISLATIVE 
AGENDA 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PROTECT ACCORDINGLY 
 
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Embassy representatives met with leaders of the 
opposition United National Congress (UNC) party to discuss 
legislation to deal with Trinidad and Tobago's immense crime 
problem.  The UNC parliamentarians agreed T&T's efforts to reduce 
crime would be assisted by new legislation (e.g., legalizing 
wiretaps and a "Continuing Criminal Enterprise" law).  Nonetheless, 
they remain hesitant to back such bills, believing the larger 
problem is enforcement of what is already on the books and fearing 
the ruling Peoples National Movement (PNM) would use such 
legislation to advance its own political goals.  END SUMMARY. 
 
-------------- 
A New Approach 
-------------- 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Charge invited UNC leader Basdeo Panday, Members of 
Parliament Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Vasant Bharath, and Senator 
Wade Mark to lunch at his residence on June 2.  Also attending were 
the FBI Assistant LEGATT, DEA Country Attache, and P/E Officer. 
Persad-Bissessar expressed pleasure at the invitation, saying the 
opposition was interested in greater substantive contact with the 
Embassy. Charge and DEA Attache responded that we looked forward to 
deeper contacts.  In this particular instance, we would benefit from 
hearing UNC views on crime, especially given growing interest in 
cooperation in this area (i.e., the CBSI) and our shared goal of 
lessening the violence plaguing city streets. 
 
----------------------------------- 
Suggestions for an Effective System 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶3. (SBU) LEGATT and DEA shared their assessments of the current 
crime situation in T&T as well as their insights into what works in 
the U.S.  When UNC reps suggested crack cocaine was the drug of 
concern, they were informed that marijuana from Jamaica, St. Vincent 
& Grenadines, Venezuela and T&T is the top selling local drug. 
LEGATT and DEA further explained that the USG approach to combating 
drug crime centers on seizing funds as opposed to repeatedly seizing 
drugs and weapons from the same criminals.  They also emphasized the 
USG's reliance on legislation, enforcement, and prosecution, 
encouraging the UNC to support laws that would enable more effective 
criminal investigations and oversight of financial activities. 
 
-------------------------------------------- 
UNC Agrees - Yet Still Concerned with Power 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) UNC leadership spoke about T&T's laborious legislative 
process and inefficient enforcement.  Panday also raised T&T's 
"culture of lawlessness," which he believes makes law enforcement 
difficult.  While the UNC agrees improved anti-crime legislation 
would benefit T&T, it clearly is concerned about who would have 
oversight if and when new laws are passed.  Panday was amenable to 
amending the constitution to strengthen law enforcement, but 
declared that Trinidad already had "enough laws" and now needed to 
enforce them.  He also expressed concern that new police powers 
might be used against the UNC for political purposes. 
 
 
----------------------------------------- 
Comment: Looking for Incremental Progress 
----------------------------------------- 
 
¶5. (SBU) The UNC leaders appreciated the discussion and asked for 
copies of U.S. legislation targeting crime in a number of areas 
(these have been provided).  Much legislation here requires special 
majorities (three-fifths, two-thirds or three-quarters depending on 
the bill) in Parliament giving the opposition the power to block 
many initiatives.  The UNC seems to recognize that T&T's legal 
framework could be improved, but believes the real problem lies in 
lack of enforcement.  It also remains suspicious of giving the 
current Manning Administration new anti-crime tools that it fears 
might be used against it.  The GOTT has told us that it intends to 
table "omnibus" crime legislation within a month and, if it does so 
(we have been told that such legislation is just around the corner 
for about a year), the UNC may be put to the test. 
 
KUSNITZ