PORT-OF-SPAIN (CMC):

The leader of one of Trinidad and Tobago's largest trade unions says deep racial, religious and political divisions threaten to lead the country down the road of civil war, even as he slammed both government and opposition parties for fostering hatred.

Outgoing president of the powerful Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU) Errol McLeod issued the warning last Friday night during his address at the union's headquarters in San Fernando, to mark OWTU's 68th annual conference.

Attending the conference was Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Baldwin Spencer.

McLeod, who announced his resignation as president of the union after holding the reins for more than 20 years, also slammed the judiciary for being "incapable of dispensing justice".

Multiplicity of religions

This twin-island republic is divided down the middle between Indians who support the United National Congress (UNC) and Blacks who support theruling People's National Movement (PNM). There is also a multiplicity of religions here including Christianity, Islam and Hinduism.

McLeod said the OWTU had always been the vanguard of the workers and the bulwark of the population, and said it would begin mounting a platform in every "nook and cranny" to offer leadership to citizens during the run-up to election, due this year.

According to McLeod, the country was facing a leadership crisis. He accused the PNM government of being bankrupt of ideas and abusing its powers, adding that "we have an opposition that is diseased by corruption".