(Trinidad Express) Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday said the plot to assassinate her and Government members was an “act of treason” which will not deter her from dealing with the criminal elements and returning this country to a peaceful state.

Following the Cabinet meeting which took place at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s, yesterday, a calm and composed looking Persad-Bissessar addressed the media where she sent a stern message to the criminal elements—her Government will not back down in its fight against crime.

“The cowardly plots against me and the People’s Government serve only to strengthen my resolve and embolden efforts to eradicate this scourge from our society. For far too long these criminals have been allowed to flourish as the untouchables, some with their sinister connections of legitimacy. The intense pressure brought to bear by our initiatives will be intensified and I will stop at nothing to return Trinidad and Tobago to the peaceful state we once enjoyed,” said Persad-Bissessar.

She said no decisions have been made to extend the State of Emergency or re-instate a curfew and Government and law enforcement will continue to monitor the situation.

Two weeks ago law enforcement uncovered an assassination plot against Persad-Bissessar, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan, Local Government Minister Chandresh Sharma and Minister of Housing and the Environment Dr Roodal Moonilal.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister said she was not surprised by these developments as she stressed that the State of Emergency which was declared on August 21 continues to be successful and is hurting the pockets of the criminal elements.

She provided statistics to emphasise her point as she noted that 13,183 rounds of ammunition have been seized to yesterday’s date and over TT$1.5 billion in drugs was seized, including a TT$55 million “drug bust”.

Persad-Bissessar praised the work of law enforcement, saying because of their vigilance, “they have thwarted what was an evil, devious act of treason against the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago”.

“Their actions have proven that the efforts of the Government are having the desired effect. We are flushing them out; we are making it almost impossible to operate as they would have in the past” said Persad-Bissessar.

Commissioner of Police Dwayne Gibbs confirmed that some members of law enforcement were arrested in connection with the assassination plot.

The Prime Minister described this as “disturbing” but noted that there have always been reports of “bad elements” in the Service.

“These nefarious elements, with support from others whose names will also come to light in time, are finally confronted by a government which possesses the political will, courage and strength of conviction to stoutly defend and protect the citizens of our country. We will not cow to them, nor negotiate with them not give any quarter to them. No quarter to them,” she said.

Persad-Bissessar noted that during the Commission of Enquiry into the 1990 coup, it was disclosed that there was information beforehand about that attempted coup, but nothing was done.

She said this Government will learn from the mistakes of the past and will be prepared for anything that comes it way.

Persad-Bissessar added that she spoke with Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley yesterday and it was agreed that security forces will share with him, the intelligence gathered with respect to the assassination plot.

She further assured that the uncovering of this plot proves the competency of the nation’s national security resources.

“The Republic is safer than ever. Your personal security and that of the nation is in safe hands. Once again, our protective services and intelligence units have performed admirably. Trinidad and Tobago salutes you,” she said.

When questioned, the Prime Minister said she intends to keep all her public engagements and will not cower to criminals.

Majority of members of the Cabinet were present at the press conference to lend support to the Prime Minister.

There was a visible increase of law enforcement with members of the Defence Force searching all persons entering the Diplomatic Centre.

The State of Emergency continues to remain in effect with increased security around the Prime Minister and Government members.

The Prime Minister’s speech

The following is the full text of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s statement on the assasination plot:

I want to say, I never expected those who plotted against the security of our nation to congratulate me and my government for curtailing their ability to operate but I did anticipate their extreme displeasure. The State of Emergency has had a major impact on crime reduction and if I may share with you the following information that between August the 21st and November the 23rd thus far 7,269 persons have been arrested of these only 6.4 %( 463 persons) were arrested on gang related charges, the minority. The others were arrested on charges related to

• Drug offences

• Serious offences

• Homicide investigations

• Outstanding warrants

• Ammunition

• Firearms seized

In addition as of this morning 13,183 rounds of ammunition and 34 magazines have been recovered. 1bullet ladies and gentleman 1 life, also seized were 173 firearms I am told that 1 gun can “take out” 20 people.

In this three month period my Government’s focus has been on the protection of life and property. We have seized over 1.5 billion dollars in drugs, the largest single “drug bust” worth over 55 million dollars. We are hurting them in their pockets.

The criminal elements have tried to make good on their threats to carry out reprisals. I am grateful to the intelligence resources that uncovered the assassination plot.

As a result of their vigilance they have thwarted what was an evil, devious act of treason against the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Their actions have proven that the efforts of the government are having the desired effect. We are flushing them out; we are making it almost impossible to operate as they would have in the past.

These nefarious elements, with support from others whose names will also come to light in time, are finally confronted by a government which possesses the political will, courage and strength of conviction to stoutly defend and protect the citizens of our country. We will not cow to them, nor negotiate with them not give any quarter to them. No quarter to them.

The cowardly plots against me and the people’s government serve only to strengthen my resolve and embolden efforts to eradicate this scourge from our society. For far too long these criminals have been allowed to flourish as the untouchables some with their sinister connections of legitimacy. The intense pressure brought to bear by our initiatives will be intensified and I will stop at nothing to return Trinidad and Tobago to the peaceful state we once enjoyed.

I want to remind you of what occurred in 1990. A commission of inquiry was established at that time and reports were produced and nothing was done with the information and that is why we have agreed to have this current Commission of Inquiry to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again.

I have spoken with the Leader of the opposition and have agreed that persons authorized by the Security forces will share with him the intelligence that we have. He has agreed to meet with them.

I wish to assure the nation that the uncovering of this plot and the motives for carrying it out demonstrate the competency and effectiveness of the government’s national security resources and initiatives. The Republic is safer than ever. Your personal security and that of the nation is in safe hands. Once again, our protective services and intelligence units have performed admirably. Trinidad and Tobago salutes you.