(Trinidad Express) Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Wednesday expressed frustration at the media’s repeated questions about the appointment and subsequent resignation of Reshmi Usha Ramnarine as director of the Strategic Services Agency (SSA).
Persad-Bissessar also said she will not give Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley the satisfaction of an apology over the issue.
“Can we talk on something else. I can’t repeat myself,” a visibly agitated Persad-Bissessar told the media after she launched the United Nations International Year of People of African Descent at an event hosted by the Emancipation Support Committee at the Hilton Trinidad in St Ann’s.
After delivering the feature address at the function, Persad-Bissessar and her security detail were approached by media personnel who were waiting in the corridor of the hotel.
Persad-Bissessar walked towards the group wearing her usual smile.
The first question posed to Persad-Bissessar was about the possibility of a business relationship between this country and Ghana. Persad-Bissessar answered the question. Then the questions surrounding Ramnarine’s appointment began.
Persad-Bissessar said National Security Minister Brigadier John Sandy was part of the process that approved Ramnarine’s appointment.
“Mr Sandy is a member of the National Security Council; he was present at the meeting as well as the meeting of the Cabinet (that approved Ramnarine’s appointment),” Persad-Bissessar said.
Asked about Ramnarine’s appointment, Persad-Bissessar said: “The fact is we needed someone for the transition stage and it was an interim appointment. She has now resigned and we have to look for someone else. Can we talk on something else? I can’t repeat myself.”
Persad-Bissessar began to show signs of losing her cool when asked whether there would be transparency in the search for a new SSA director.
“Matters of national security are matters of national security. You know something, how come you never asked these questions all these years? Why is it suddenly, every single thing… Did you know who was the former director? Do you know? You never knew; you never knew,” she said.
“You know what is very interesting, she (Ramnarine) has been working there for the past six years, and suddenly, this has become such a great issue. How come no questions were asked before when she had been employed by the SIA (Security Intelligence Agency), the illegal entity?
“We are in the process of restructuring the illegal SAUTT (Special Anti-Crime Unit of Trinidad and Tobago) and the illegal SIA into one body with the greatest expertise, which is the SSA, which is the one created by statute.”
She added, “She (Ramnarine) has been there for years, and not a question had been raised. There was a recommendation; she has now resigned given the exposure as she explained it, and I think we need to move forward.
“This was an interim appointment; the lady has resigned. Can we move on, please?”
Last week when Government ministers and Persad-Bissessar spoke about Ramnarine’s suitability for the position, they said she had nine years experience in the unit.
Yesterday, Persad-Bissessar also sent a message to Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley that he should not anticipate an apology over the Ramnarine issue.
“Mr Rowley (Opposition Leader) has called on me to apologise for every single thing I have done. I am sorry, but I will not make him happy in this regard,” she said.
Persad-Bissessar also said she would not entertain further questions on Ramnarine’s appointment.
As the media pressed for answers, a representative from the Emancipation Support Committee (ESC) intervened.
“Please, respect your host,” the unidentified woman said, shielding Persad-Bissessar.
As another question about Ramnarine’s appointment was asked, Persad-Bissessar said the interview was over and walked away with her security detail.
On Saturday, one week after being given the instrument of appointment to head the SSA, Ramnarine tendered her resignation, stating she feared for her personal safety.
An Express exclusive last Friday highlighted the fact Ramnarine had been appointed over two other senior employees although she was not qualified for the job.
