Monday, September 21 2009

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FIRST WITH THE NEWS: Congress of the People (COP) Political Leader Winston Dookeran, left, and Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner show reporters a picture ...

CHAGUANAS West MP Jack Warner disclosed that American public-relations firm AKPD Message and Media has given him a communication plan which could be used by a united opposition alliance against the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) in the next general election which is constitutionally due by 2012. This firm successfully managed United States President Barack Obama’s presidential campaign in 2008.

Warner made this disclosure last Friday when he met with Congress of People (COP) leader Winston Dookeran at the Breakfast Shed in Port-of-Spain to discuss several matters of national importance.

On May 24, Warner and some COP officials met with top US Democratic strategist Larry Grisolano and other AKPD firm executives at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port-of-Spain. That meeting was held to discuss whether any political strategies used in the Obama campaign could be used here.

At that time Grisolano told reporters he did not have any magic answers to political issues in Trinidad and Tobago and was getting an insight from Warner. “I am now learning TT politics,” he stated. Warner told reporters last Friday: “The firm (AKPD) has submitted a document for us to implement.

Warner said the implementation of the strategies in that document, the appointment of an interim UNC executive, acceptance of the manifesto for change and a date for internal executive elections will be decided at a special UNC convention on November 29, after the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting,

Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday said Warner has no authority under the UNC’s constitution to take any of these decisions. Panday said the UNC’s national executive will meet this week to decide upon a new date for the party’s national congress. The congress was scheduled for September 13 but was postponed due to the budget debate in the House of Representatives.