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Shot-and-Shell Robinson Says He'll Win Again

Lindsay Mackoon writes from Port of Spain, Trinidad
N what will be Trinidad and Tobago's most keenly contested general election. Prime Minister Ray Robinson faces a serious challenge to get a second five-year term in office.
His ruling National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) was formed from elements of the two opposition parties — the long-established People's National Movement (PNM) that previously held power for 30 years, and the United National Congress (UNC).
In announcing the election for December 16 Robinson ended months of speculation. It followed publication of a public opinion poll putting the NAR ahead in the race.
Patrick Manning, the 45-year-old geologist-turned politician who Is leader of the PNM, and former external affairs Minister Basdeo Panday. who heads the UNC. welcomed the challenge.
At stake are 36 parliamentary seats — 34 in oil-producing Trinidad and two in the tourist haven of Tobago. Parliament was dissolved on November 19 by President Noor Hassenali. This will be the sixth national election since independence in 1962.
When Robinson heard the result of the poll, conducted over six weeks, he said the population, put at around 1.2 million, was beginning to understand that harsh measures taken by his government eprly In Its term were In the best Interest of the Caribbean slate.
Robinson came into office on December 16 1986 with an overwhelming 33-seat victory to the PNM's three. The NAR cut the salaries of public workers by 10 per cent, raised taxes on phone, water and electricity, devalued the Trinidad and Tobago dollar (which now fetches 23 US cents) and slapped on a 15 per cent value added tax system.
The austerity moves led to a sharp fall In party popularity. This has now been reversed. The NAR is ahead of the PNM by nine per cent (NAR 33. PNM 24). according to the poll.
Tobago-born lawyer Robinson, whose 65th birthday is also on December 16. said the findings would give his party the courage to intensify its work in the field. But he added: "1 am never carried away by polls. There is no room to be complacent
"I personally feel my faith in the people of Trinidad and Tobago on which I have built my political life for 35 years will prove1 to be completely justified.
"The population is coming to understand that the mea sures we took In Die early days and the policies we continue
to pursue are definitely In the best interest of Trinidad and Tobago."
Events that have been taking place all over the world, he said, "have been assisting in bringing that realisation home to people generally that the NAR is on the right course. It Is acting in the Interest of the nation and the party deserves a second five-year term In office.
"We stood our ground through shot and shell and preserved our country's freedom and democracy. We have built a platform for the future progress of the nation."
But Manning is confident his PNM that led the country out of colonialism to independence and republican status will again capture government after five years in the wilderness.
He said: "I think that Robinson has made a proper decision for the first time in a very long time by setting the date. We are very happy the population now has the opportunity to decide who should serve the interest of the people of Trinidad and Tobago."
Two earlier opinion polls suggested the PNM would win. Panday, however, predicts victory for the UNC: "The
elections are wide open and our chances are as good as anyone else's. We are confident of winning a majority of seats. The NAR Is going to get the shock of its life."
Before the latest opinion poll, the 57-years-okd lawyer and trade unionist had said the UNC. which the poll credited with 12 per cent support, would hold "the balance of power" In Parliament. He said: "The election is about honesty and accountability."
However, the main Issues are mounting unemployment (about 150.000 jobless), soaring food prices, tack of basic drugs in hospitals, hunger and poverty, drug trafficking, and what opposition politicians call the "mismanagement of the country's economy since the NAR took office almost five years ago."
Apart from the three main parties, the NAR. PNM. and the UNC, minority groups such as the National Joint Action Committee (NJAC). the Movement for Social Transformation (MOTION), and several former MPs who have quite their parties and run as independents, will be contesting.
More than 800.000 are eligible to vote. It is expected 150 candidates will be nominated to fight for the 36 seats*
— OEMIN1 NEWS
LINDSAY MACKOON, a former night editor of the Trinidad Express, is a widely-travelled Caribbean Journalist currently based tn Port of Spain.