Ramlogan, Sandy to lead T&T talks on BAE matter

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar confirmed Thursday that her government will be meeting with the British government and BAE systems about the cancellation of a contract to buy three offshore patrol boats (OPVs).

However, she said she will not be leading the discussions. She said National Security Minister Brigadier John Sandy and Attorney General Anand Ramlogan will lead a team the government team in those talks.

Persad-Bissessar also confirmed that she has spoken with British High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago Eric Jenkinson and that she will not be holding any talks on the issue during her visit to London next week.

"I am not of the view that it is appropriate for me as the Prime Minister of the country to engage in negotiations while I am there on Commonwealth business," she said, adding that she thinks it is not appropriate for the Prime Minister "to be holding closed-door meetings" on a matter that is worth billions of dollars of taxpayers' dollars.

"I will not hold discussions of that nature," she said adding that Sandy and Ramlogan would be "the better persons" for that and that she has told the British High Commissioner so.

With regard to whether the government would consider buying one of the three vessels. She said all discussions on the subject would be "without prejudice" so that the the talks would not jeopardise the cabinet decision to scrap the OPV deal signed in 2007 by the Manning PNM administration.

"We have taken a decision already, but we are willing to listen. If there is something that comes forward that's in the best interest of the people of Trinidad and Tobago, we will be willing to consider it...we are holding our position," she said.

She reiterated that the decision to get out of the deal with BAE was based on breaches to the contractual arrangements with the government of Trinidad and Tobago.