PM Kamla gave interview to Caribbean media in NY

A news report from New York contradicts other reports that said Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago snubbed the Caribbean media during her 10-day visit to New York.

Some reports blamed Press Secretary Gavin Nicholas for missing a splendid Public Relations opportunity and suggested that Persad-Bissessar gave interviews to the Indian media while ignoring requests for the same from the Caribbean media in the city.

A report from CaribWorldNews, New York dated August 23, 2010 stated that Persad-Bissessar wrapped up New York trip "by ending her silence with Caribbean media".

It said, "Persad-Bissessar gave the first and only Caribbean media interview to Trinidad and Tobago-born broadcaster, Rennie Bishop of WRRL 1600 AM radio.

It added, "The PM appeared on Bishop's 'Caribbean Corner', at 6:09 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21st, and told the Trini radio personality, journalist Tony Best, and CC`s co-host Felicia Persaud, that her silence was largely due to a nasty cold.

The report said, "She apologized to the media and those whom she said tried to speak to her through her handlers, but insisted that the flu had taken a toll on her and she was only able to now 'cough and speak,' whereas before she could hardly speak."

The report said when asked about the perception that her historic visit seemed to favor one ethnicity over another, "PM Persad-Bissessar insisted that she is committed to a united Trinidad and Tobago and does not have a racist bone in her body."

It quoted her as saying that perception may have stemmed from the fact "that she came to New York for the Indian Independence Day Parade, but explained that she made a judgment call following the invite, given the fact that the Indian Diaspora presented a huge opportunity to network and as a person of Indian origin, she felt honored to be a part of it.

It added, "The PM, however, insisted that she stayed on in New York for 10 days because of the fact that Trinidad and Tobago`s independence ball was set for August 21st and she could not visit for the Indian parade and not attend the twin-island Republic`s own ball."

And she stated: "As leader of the People`s Partnership, I give my attention to every single group since we are so blessed with some many ethnicities and cultures and talent."

She told the radio hosts she felt her election to the top post was based on change to 'right some of the wrongs' in the country, adding that her administration has inherited an economy that was on a downward spiral.

The report said Persad-Bissessar was confident that some measures in her government's first budget in September would provide solutions, noting that the key solution is economic diversity.

"We cannot rest out hopes and dreams in the energy basket alone", she said.

Persad-Bissessar also commented on the death penalty debate that has been reopened in Trinidad and Tobago stating that execution for murder is "the law of the land is the death penalty and it will be enforced as her government grapples with a crime problem".

She also spoke about CARICOM explaining that she remains committed to regional integration. However, she expressed concern at "the lip service paid since the Treaty of Chaguramas".

Persad-Bissessar told her radio hosts, "We want change in the (CARICOM) leadership structure so we don't simply have talk shops every three four months...a lot more still needs to be done."