Keith Rowley is offended by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar's remark that Trinidad and Tobago should not be seen as an ATM machine for the Caribbean and has put his own spin on what Persad-Bissessar said.The Prime Minister made the comment during her visit to Jamaica for the 31st CARICOM summit, which was held in Montego Bay.
She told reporters at the summit Trinidad and Tobago does not operate like "an ATM card" in explaining that the country is not prepared to fund the regional security budget.
She said a proposal was put on the table for a passenger security fee to be charged on all airline tickets, with a view to raising the US$40 million needed. However, she said that proposal did not enjoy the full backing of member states.
"So that's where we are stuck because some nations are not of the view that we would want to put a passenger fee onto every ticket," she said.
While she noted that CARICOM leaders had not asked Trinidad and Tobago to fund the regional budget, she said "should the money not be forthcoming, it would shut down several agencies that function at the moment, such as IMPACS (the Implementation Agency for Crime and Security), the RSS (Regional Security System) and so on".
The Prime Minister said, "It will seriously compromise our security agenda for the region...but Trinidad and Tobago is not prepared to fund that entire programme."
Speaking at a political meeting Rowley suggested that Persad-Bissessar insulted CARICOM leaders, adding that cutting off funding could cost many Trinidad and Tobago citizens their jobs.
The PNM leader spoke about assisting the region in terms of manufacturing and trade. "I know many of you are of the view that the PNM was being excessive when it came to assisting our Caricom neighbours and that Mr Manning was trying to be Caricom's godfather," Rowley said.
"Caricom is the largest market for manufacturers in Trinidad and Tobago. Our jobs here are largely dependant on what they spend on our products over there," he stated.
"Those of you who travel will know that when you go to Barbados, St Vincent, St Lucia, Antigua, Jamaica, all the shelves are stocked largely with products that say 'made in Trinidad and Tobago...As long as those products are made in Trinidad and Tobago, it means jobs for the people of Trinidad and Tobago," Rowley said.
He added, when CARICOM cannot buy and "we assist them to have an economy to allow them to be able to buy, it is not because we are throwing away Trinidad and Tobago's money, it is because we are protecting the Trinidad and Tobago market and our jobs."
Rowley said CARICOM neighbours are doing this country a favour when they buy our products over theirs.
"So when the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago...didn't have to tell them that Trinidad and Tobago is not an ATM machine." Rowley said many local jobs are now at risk if CARICOM citizens decide to boycott Trinidad and Tobago products as a result of feeling insulted.
The PNM leader said the Prime Minister was "quite out of place" to make the comment and said he wants CARICOM leaders to know that Persad-Bissessar does not speak for Trinidad and Tobago when she insults the Caribbean.
1 comment:
Taking the specific comment by the PM about "ATM", I respectfully suggest that unless we were there, at the time, and could hear the tone in which it was said, then a whole misinterpretation of the comment may exist, anyway.
I have no need or wish to defend anything she says. She does not need my help. But, we all know how the written word can convey only part of the story and its impact.
Even if it was just said with a smile that can change a comment enormously.
And the comment itself was a very simple yet effective way to get the point across.
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