T&T questions re-election of Caricom Secretary General Barnett

Trinidad and Tobago has raised concerns over the re-election of Caricom Secretary General Dr Carla Barnett, saying it was excluded from the decision-making process.Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers told Guardian Media that while the Government has no personal issue with Dr Barnett, it is dissatisfied with the process used at the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government held from February 24 to 27.

The Government has formally written to Caricom chairman and Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Terrance Drew, outlining its objections to the manner in which the reappointment of Carla Barnett was handled.In correspondence dated March 25, Sobers said T&T was neither included in discussions nor given the opportunity to participate in deliberations surrounding the Secretary-General’s second term.Sobers pointed specifically to Article 24, which outlines that the Secretary-General should be appointed by the Conference on the recommendation of the Community Council, for a term not exceeding five years, with any reappointment also requiring Conference approval.

According to the letter, the issue of Dr Barnett’s reappointment “was not placed on the Provisional Agenda” for the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government, nor was it discussed during plenary sessions.Sobers said while discussions reportedly took place during a retreat of Heads of Government on February 26 in Nevis, T&T was among several countries excluded.“It is a matter of record that Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda and the Bahamas were not allowed to participate in this retreat. Consequently, Trinidad and Tobago was not privy to the deliberations on this matter,” the letter stated.

...T&T to cut Caricom funding

Asked if she was disappointed in the reappointment, Persad-Bissessar added, “Caricom has been failing for 52 years and will continue to fail for the next 52 years. Trinidad and Tobago is not going to continue funding Caricom at the current levels that we are ­providing.”

CARICOM has a budget of 20 million US...

T&T supplies CARICOM with 5 million US dollars.

The Express obtained a copy of the letter, in which Sobers pointed out to the Caricom chairman that Barnett’s proposed reappointment was not placed on the provisional agenda for the Fiftieth Regular Meeting of the Conference and was also not discussed during the plenary sessions.Persad-Bissessar also made it clear that, while Trinidad and Tobago remained “vested” in the regional bloc, the country would no longer bind itself to the region’s political ideologies, foreign policy positions or security frameworks.Instead, she said T&T will craft its own foreign and security policies to defend its sovereignty as it sees fit.

T&T Express

T&T opts out of Caricom Cuba aid

...Chooses own relief path

Trinidad and Tobago is not joining CARICOM in sending humanitarian aid to Cuba. Instead, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Sean Sobers says T&T will act independently, in collaboration with agencies on the ground in Cuba. In response to questions from the Express yesterday, Sobers said T&T has been in communication with organizations in Cuba that are well known for their relief efforts.

He said T&T expressed its commitment and willingness to send relief supplies and requested a list of items needed to ensure there was no duplication. The minister said this country has always been responsive in sending aid to nations in need, and assistance will also be provided to the people of Cuba.