00:00Prime Minister Kamala Passat-Bissessa says Trinidad and Tobago remains committed to CARICOM,
00:06but is seeking answers over what it describes as a flawed and non-transparent process
00:11used to reappoint Secretary General Carla Barnett.
00:14The Prime Minister says government will continue to pursue the matter until it is properly addressed.
00:20She maintains that the reappointment was not listed on the official agenda of the recent
00:25heads-of-government meeting in St. Kitts and Navies nor discussed during plenary sessions.
00:31Instead, she says the issue was raised during a private retreat of regional leaders,
00:36prompting concerns that established procedures may not have been followed.
00:41The Prime Minister argues that the process does not comply with Article 24 of the revised Treaty of Shagaramas,
00:48which governs such appointments.
00:50She adds that Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Sean Sobers has written to CARICOM Chairman Terence Drew
00:57outlining Trinidad and Tobago's concerns and requesting clarification.
01:02Additional correspondence was also sent to the Secretary General's Office seeking details on the decision-making process
01:09and whether member states were properly informed.
01:12No response has been received to date, according to the Prime Minister.
01:15The government maintains that given Trinidad and Tobago's significant financial contribution to CARICOM,
01:22it expects full transparency and adherence to agreed rules.
01:27Charlotte Kisto, TV6 News.
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