00:00Prime Minister Kamala Pesad-Besasa says the review of diplomatic passports was not prompted by political interests.
00:08Instead, she said, quote, the government was requested by our foreign counterparts to look into the issuance and abuse of
00:15Trinidad and Tobago-issued diplomatic passports, end quote.
00:19Responding to TV6, she says a subsequent review took place, saying, quote,
00:24quote, upon investigation, it was revealed that 985 persons possess diplomatic passports, despite most of these persons not meeting the
00:33criteria for holding these passports, end quote.
00:37The Prime Minister explained that diplomatic passports are intended for people officially representing Trinidad and Tobago overseas,
00:45while official passports are designed for non-government parliamentarians and others traveling on state business.
00:52She confirmed, quote, MP Young will therefore receive an official passport instead of a diplomatic passport.
01:00Some other persons on the list will also receive official passports instead of diplomatic passports.
01:06Some will be removed entirely and given ordinary passports, and a few will retain their diplomatic passports, end quote.
01:15Pesad-Besasa sought to reassure those affected, saying, quote,
01:17quote, this is not a downgrade or an indication of any wrongdoing by anyone who is being affected.
01:23It is simply corrective action being taken, end quote.
01:27She also clarified that while both diplomatic and official passports provide certain travel privileges,
01:34immunity only applies to diplomatic passport holders and is strictly granted by the receiving country based on official Vienna Convention
01:43accreditation.
01:44The Prime Minister also addressed questions about former Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, saying, quote,
01:50he is retired and he is not representing the country in any official capacity.
01:55Therefore, he should not be in possession of a diplomatic passport, end quote.
02:01Pesad-Besasa said ministry officials will contact Dr. Rowley and issue him with an official passport instead,
02:07where he will still have many of the benefits and privileges afforded to holders of diplomatic passports,
02:13but will not be covered by diplomatic passport immunities.
02:17The Prime Minister also responded to criticism from Stuart Young over the changes, saying, quote,
02:23when some people get used to preferential treatment, equal treatment seems like discrimination to them.
02:29Stuart should stop his crybaby Bebe behavior.
02:33It's unbecoming, end quote.
02:34The opposition has criticized the government's handling of the passport review,
02:38while the administration maintains the exercise is intended to ensure diplomatic passports are issued
02:44only to those who qualify under established policy.
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