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Arthur N. R. Robinson, Ex-Premier of Trinidad and Tobago, Dies at 87 Arthur Robinson, 87, Caribbean Leader Shot in Coup Attempt, Dies
(about 14 hours later)
Arthur N. R. Robinson, a former prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago who was held hostage and shot during a bloody coup attempt by an Islamic group in 1990, died on Wednesday in Port of Spain, the nation’s capital. He was 87.Arthur N. R. Robinson, a former prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago who was held hostage and shot during a bloody coup attempt by an Islamic group in 1990, died on Wednesday in Port of Spain, the nation’s capital. He was 87.
His death was announced by the national security minister, Gary Griffith, who said Mr. Robinson had been hospitalized for conditions related to diabetes.His death was announced by the national security minister, Gary Griffith, who said Mr. Robinson had been hospitalized for conditions related to diabetes.
Mr. Robinson, who led Trinidad and Tobago from 1986 to 1991, was held hostage for six days in July 1990, along with several cabinet members and opposition legislators, in a failed coup attempt by 114 members of Jamaat al Muslimeen. The group, which drew followers mainly from the country’s slums, blamed Mr. Robinson for the widespread poverty that followed the collapse of world oil prices in 1983.Mr. Robinson, who led Trinidad and Tobago from 1986 to 1991, was held hostage for six days in July 1990, along with several cabinet members and opposition legislators, in a failed coup attempt by 114 members of Jamaat al Muslimeen. The group, which drew followers mainly from the country’s slums, blamed Mr. Robinson for the widespread poverty that followed the collapse of world oil prices in 1983.
When the insurgents, brandishing firearms, invaded the Parliament building, they ordered Mr. Robinson to call off the security forces outside. Instead, he instructed the military to attack “with full force.” He was then beaten and shot in his right leg.When the insurgents, brandishing firearms, invaded the Parliament building, they ordered Mr. Robinson to call off the security forces outside. Instead, he instructed the military to attack “with full force.” He was then beaten and shot in his right leg.
Many people died during the coup attempt, which ended with a ruse: Mr. Robinson’s administration promised the insurgents amnesty, then arrested them. But the country’s High Court eventually freed them, and the group’s leader, Yasin Abu Bakr, has never been convicted of any crime.Many people died during the coup attempt, which ended with a ruse: Mr. Robinson’s administration promised the insurgents amnesty, then arrested them. But the country’s High Court eventually freed them, and the group’s leader, Yasin Abu Bakr, has never been convicted of any crime.
Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson was born on Tobago, the smaller of the two Caribbean islands that make up the country, off the coast of Venezuela. He studied law in Britain. He returned to his homeland in the mid-1950s and was first elected to Trinidad and Tobago’s Parliament in 1961. He was finance minister from 1961 to 1967.Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson was born on Tobago, the smaller of the two Caribbean islands that make up the country, off the coast of Venezuela. He studied law in Britain. He returned to his homeland in the mid-1950s and was first elected to Trinidad and Tobago’s Parliament in 1961. He was finance minister from 1961 to 1967.
He is credited with introducing the idea of a single Caribbean market and economy and helping to establish the International Criminal Court. From 1997 to 2003 he held the largely ceremonial position of president.He is credited with introducing the idea of a single Caribbean market and economy and helping to establish the International Criminal Court. From 1997 to 2003 he held the largely ceremonial position of president.
His wife, the economist Patricia Rawlins Robinson, died in 2009. He is survived by a daughter and a son.His wife, the economist Patricia Rawlins Robinson, died in 2009. He is survived by a daughter and a son.