00:01Disagreements are not new in CARICOM.
00:03It's a fact noted by former Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley who says
00:07what is new is the way in which CARICOM's reappointment of General Secretary Dr. Carla Barnett
00:13is being handled by Prime Minister Kamlo Passat-Bissasa.
00:17The issue now playing out publicly with several regional heads being drawn into the fray
00:22and Dr. Rowley doesn't believe the best interests of the population is being sought after.
00:27He says there are ways to treat with any offence Passat-Bissasa feels about what transpired,
00:32adding that in the first place the problem arose due to her choosing to be absent from the CARICOM heads'
00:37retreat.
00:38And it ought not to be a situation where a Minister of Government of Trinidad and Tobigo
00:45is authorized to engage the Chairman of CARICOM
00:49and engage in bantering and accusing the Chairman of CARICOM of lying.
00:54a Minister of Government authorized by the Prime Minister.
00:58Were the Prime Minister not taking the calls and saying talk to the Minister and telling the world read the
01:04Minister's letter?
01:05But is more at play than what the Prime Minister is letting on?
01:09Dr. Rowley is of that opinion referencing a letter Passat-Bissasa sent to Dr. Barnett when she was in opposition
01:15concerning the Brent Thomas case.
01:17That letter went unanswered.
01:19The Prime Minister was carrying a bee in her bonnet
01:23and she started out by how she handled her speech
01:31the attack on the Secretary General on some slight that she felt
01:36it's all clear
01:37now that she has the office of Prime Minister
01:41she is using that office to exact that punishment
01:46the punishment being attempting to create confusion over the reappointment of the officer
01:54and hoping that there will be an overturning of a decision that was taken in absence
02:10Dr. Rowley says more than likely it would not change the outcome of the vote which he states was properly
02:18done under the Shagaramas Treaty
02:19with the majority of heads supporting Dr. Barnett's reappointment.
02:23But what does TNT stand to lose?
02:27Well, Dr. Rowley points out that manufacturing is the only sector which has managed to see a fairly sizable growth
02:34diversification wise
02:35which he indicates is as a result of the CARICOM market
02:39He says Passat-Bissasa's threats which include defunding CARICOM stand to do serious harm
02:46There are very many thousands of people and the nation who will be hurt by this
02:51CARICOM tariffs on external countries which are adjusted to give TNT higher trade competitiveness
02:57if removed, could have dire consequences
03:00So too could a boycott of TNT's products on regional market shelves
03:04Made in Trinidad and Tobago is not going to be an attraction to them
03:08It will be the opposite
03:11And we are behaving in a way which is quite obnoxious to people in CARICOM
03:16The former Prime Minister outlines that the actions can also negatively impact country-to-country relations
03:23Dr. Rowley further calls on the Prime Minister to reconsider her approach
03:27as discussions continue at the regional level
03:31And this is unacceptable to the people of Trinidad and Tobago
03:35and the Prime Minister should just cease and desist
03:37He must just stop
03:38He says there are external countries which want to see CARICOM weakened to serve their own interests
03:44And Passat-Bissasa should be careful what advice she is taking from these countries
03:49And to CARICOM, Dr. Rowley makes this call
03:53I am expecting and I trust that the rest of the CARICOM leadership and membership
04:00would not respond in kind to Trinidad and Tobago and worsen the situation
04:06I am of the view that there are leaders in CARICOM who can dampen this down
04:11and allow Trinidad and Tobago to perform like the leader that we really can be in CARICOM
04:17Alicia Boucher, TV6 News
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