Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Suruj Rambachan told MPs Saturday the diplomatic community supports the People's Partnership Government's decision to declare a State of Emergency.
Rambachan noted that he met with members of the Diplomatic community the day after the emergency was declared. "We had a briefing and a discussion on the matter and they were in full support of what the government of Trinidad and Tobago was doing," he said.
He also responded to statements by opposition member Colm Imbert who claimed that business are deeply hurt and some of them might have to close because of the emergency. Imbert also said foreign countries have published advisories to their citizens about the state of affairs in Trinidad and Tobago.
Rambachan noted that he met with members of the Diplomatic community the day after the emergency was declared. "We had a briefing and a discussion on the matter and they were in full support of what the government of Trinidad and Tobago was doing," he said.
He also responded to statements by opposition member Colm Imbert who claimed that business are deeply hurt and some of them might have to close because of the emergency. Imbert also said foreign countries have published advisories to their citizens about the state of affairs in Trinidad and Tobago.
However Rambachan pointed out that it's business as usual except for one American Airlines flight that was cancelled on the first day of the curfew. He said planes continue to arrive at Piarco "full of people".
Rambachan pointed out that the same countries issued travel advisories while the PNM was in office warning people not to travel to Trinidad and Tobago because of the crime problem.
"So don't come now and try to pin it (on us) and say because of the State of Emergency the travel advisories are being issued," he said.
Rambachan said the slowdown in the tourism sector did not start with present government Government, citing a world Bank study that showed the youth crime was a principal reason for the loss of over US$200 million a year in the Caribbean region.
He said that alone is justification for the drastic measures taken by his government.
"So I would not sit here and have the member of Diego Martin North East make it look as though tourism has only been affected in the last week," Rambachan said.
He said the deteriorating tourism situation existed for nine years because of the "ineffective and inefficient mode of management" of the crime situation in the country.
The minister acknowledged that that businesses are hurting.
"There is going to be sacrifice. But we are an adaptive nation and we must compliment our citizenry for their adaption. Because you know what? They have settled down to what is happening because they understand that it is in the best interest of Trinidad and Tobago," he said.
Rambachan pointed out that the same countries issued travel advisories while the PNM was in office warning people not to travel to Trinidad and Tobago because of the crime problem.
"So don't come now and try to pin it (on us) and say because of the State of Emergency the travel advisories are being issued," he said.
Rambachan said the slowdown in the tourism sector did not start with present government Government, citing a world Bank study that showed the youth crime was a principal reason for the loss of over US$200 million a year in the Caribbean region.
He said that alone is justification for the drastic measures taken by his government.
"So I would not sit here and have the member of Diego Martin North East make it look as though tourism has only been affected in the last week," Rambachan said.
He said the deteriorating tourism situation existed for nine years because of the "ineffective and inefficient mode of management" of the crime situation in the country.
The minister acknowledged that that businesses are hurting.
"There is going to be sacrifice. But we are an adaptive nation and we must compliment our citizenry for their adaption. Because you know what? They have settled down to what is happening because they understand that it is in the best interest of Trinidad and Tobago," he said.
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