00:00Former Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Amri Brown says the current tensions over the reappointment of the CARICOM Secretary-General could
00:09have been avoided had the Prime Minister done her job and stayed in St. Kitts-Nevis for the caucus.
00:15He says that earlier positions taken by the Prime Minister signaled a lack of alignment with regional solidarity.
00:23He tells the Morning Edition this has contributed to the present strain in CARICOM relations.
00:30Everyone associated with CARICOM knows that it is at that forum that the most sensitive and troubling issues are addressed,
00:42whether it is frank exchange and communication with heads in the room.
00:49Dr. Brown says the issue is being mischaracterized as a formal agenda item.
00:56Everyone associated with CARICOM knows that a matter as sensitive as discussion and deliberation around performance and reappointment or non
01:10-reappointment of a sitting Secretary-General is not listed on an agenda.
01:17It was not done so in the past. It would not be done so in the present.
01:24He does not foresee the Prime Minister gaining support for her current position, but he believes she does not intend
01:31to find an amicable solution either.
01:33She is using social media to exacerbate problems.
01:38This Prime Minister has no interest in resolving this matter.
01:44The exclusive interest is damaging and weakening CARICOM solidarity.
01:51The Prime Minister has, however, maintained that Trinidad and Tobago will not leave CARICOM while also criticising what she describes
01:59as poor leadership, corruption and a lack of transparency within the regional body.
02:05She adds that the matter will continue to be pursued publicly and ruthlessly until accountability and reform are achieved.
02:15Nicole M. Romany, TV6 News.
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