GINA -- GOVERNMENT will address any consequences stemming from the People's National Congress Reform's determined efforts to attract external attention to the issues surrounding the allegations made by George Bacchus about the existence of a "killing squad."
This is according to Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing yesterday.
PNCR Leader Robert Corbin has written to the CARICOM Heads of Government on the issue. He has also taken it overseas.
"I am certain that the Administration, being tried and tested over years of governing, is going to respond appropriately to the intrigues and antics of the PNCR Leader overseas. One can anticipate a suitable response from the Administration," Dr. Luncheon said
He said the PNCR is forced to go ahead with the allegations after having expended significant political capital on the issue.
"Cabinet understanding is that the PNCR is externalising the issue, even though it has failed to utilize existing channels to address its concerns, such as the Police," Dr. Luncheon said.
"One would want to believe that the fervour with which the PNCR has addressed this issue is indeed buttressed by a large amount of good, quality information on which the charges or at least the allegations could be supported," he said.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, it is still unclear to Government "why those steps have been rejected, not only forsaken, rejected, and in the same breath an approach to the Heads of Government and the wider international community," was made by the Opposition.
George Bacchus brought his allegations to the fore after the fatal shooting of his brother Shafeek Bacchus early January. He believes that his brother was mistakenly killed for him. He first took the allegations to the United States Embassy and has since repeatedly spoken to sections of the media. Bacchus also levelled several allegations against the Home Affairs Minister, Ronald Gajraj.
Dr. Luncheon said Cabinet discussed the issue and views the allegations seriously.
The Opposition Leader wrote to the President, indicating he has credible statements that implicate the Minister. President Jagdeo, in reply, urged that these be made public and directed to the Police.
But Mr. Corbin has implied that divulging information to the police isn't his job.