CARICOM leaders are gathering in Jamaica from July 6th-8th.. but Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has .opted out. No reason known. Instead, two newly-appointed Ministers will represent the country at the Heads of Government meeting. Rynessa Cutting reports.
00:00According to the agenda on CARICOM's website, Trinidad Ange Tobago's Prime Minister, Kamala Passat-Bissessa, was carded to be a feature speaker at the opening ceremony of the 49th CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in Jamaica.
00:15However, a media release from the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs confirms that the Prime Minister will not attend the event.
00:23Instead, Minister Sean Sobers will lead a delegation, which includes Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander, to participate in the meeting.
00:32No reason has been given for the Prime Minister's absence.
00:35The media release notes, however, that Passat-Bissessa has sent written greetings to CARICOM Chairman and Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Hulness, and briefed her ministers on the critical role of relations between Trinidad Ange Tobago and the Caribbean community.
00:52But former Foreign Affairs and CARICOM Minister Dr. Amy Brown believes the Prime Minister's absence will only reflect poorly on Trinidad Ange Tobago.
01:02Trinidad Ange Tobago holds lead responsibility within the CARICOM quasi-cabinet for issues of regional security and energy.
01:15And both of those thematic areas really require leadership and regional coordination at this time.
01:23The Prime Minister should be present.
01:26Her decision to send two new ministers, Minister Sean Sobers and Minister Roger Alexander, at this critical time, must be regarded as a poor decision.
01:39And as a founding member of CARICOM, we really should ensure that we are represented at the highest level.
01:49Brown believes the Prime Minister's attendance is particularly paramount, given the recent change in government.
01:55A full two months after the government was elected in Trinidad and Tobago.
02:02It's an important opportunity to network and interact at the heads of government level with peers and other prime ministers and presidents within the region.
02:15These opportunities only come once every six months with regard to a heads of government meeting.
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