Security agencies have taken the appropriate necessary action to ensure the safety and security of Prime Minister Keith Rowley, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad- Bissessar and Chief Justice Ivor Archie as well as President Anthony Carmona, says National Security Minister Edmund Dillon.
This, following a death threat against Carmona - and others - which was received by police last Sunday.
Dillon gave the assurances about security for the various leaders, responding in the Senate yesterday to a question from Opposition Senator Wayne Sturge.
Sturge filed the question following last Sunday’s death threat to Carmona and “all ah dem.” The latter line was stated by the anonymous caller who contacted the police, officials told the T&T Guardian on Monday.
The male caller, who claimed to be from the “army”, claimed they were “waiting by the Savannah to offload shots for the President” and further threatened to “bomb” police stations.
Dillon had told the T&T Guardian on Monday that security agencies had immediately taken the necessary action.
Special Branch met with the President on Monday morning about the matter, the President’s Officer confirmed.
Yesterday, in the Senate, Dillon told Sturge, he wasn’t at liberty to give the specifics of security agencies’ measures to secure Carmona and other national leaders since it could compromise their safety.
Carmona is scheduled to attend tomorrow’s swearing-in of newly elected Tobago House of Assembly members following Monday’s THA election.
He initially had been invited by the President of Uganda to address a function there this week, but has to attend the THA event.
Security agencies have always kept a tight handle on threats to the Presidency and/or those around a head of state, following incidents over the last few decades.
In 1989, shots were fired at a car transporting Zalayhar Hassanali (wife of now deceased President Noor Hassanali) as her car went around the Queen’s Park Savannah.
Prime suspect in that case was now -deceased Laventille gang leader Mark Guerra (a.k.a Abdul Halil), a Jamaat al Muslimeen member, URP supervisor and so- called “community” leader. He was killed in 2005.
Former President’s House employees confirmed threats had also been made when late former President Arthur NR Robinson had entered office and Special Branch then, had advised him repeatedly to be careful.
In 2004 Robinson’s driver, Special Branch officer Edward Williams, was killed in a botched robbery as Robinson attended a function in St Augustine at the home of Dr Marjorie Thorpe.
Also, soon after former President George Maxwell Richards entered office, security had to deal with an apparently mentally challenged man who “kept showing up” outside President’s House and in one instance got over the compound’s fence, officials said.
NEW JOBS FOR FORMER OPM SECURITY OFFICERS—YOUNG
The Labour Ministry and other agencies have been approached to assist with identifying alternative positions for officers of the Special Security Unit (SSU) which formerly provided security for the Prime Minister’s Office, says Minister Stuart Young.
Young gave the update in the Senate yesterday, replying to an Opposition question on the SSU whose services had been terminated last year.
Young said Cabinet last April had decided that the Defence Force and police would provide security for the OPM, Prime Minister’s residence and Diplomatic Centre.
He said this led to the restructuring and disbanding of the SSU. He said the separation of SSU officers was handled under contractual provisions and “good industrial relations practice.”
Young added the Labour and Local Government ministries as well as Maintenance, Training and Security (MTS) division had been approached to assist in identifying positions for SSU officers. —Gail Alexander.