PM Kamla leads team in security discussions with US AG

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissesssar met Wednesday with U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to discuss the shared goals and commitments of Trinidad & Tobago and the United States toward peace and security in the region.

Holder is in Trinidad for a two-day conference of security ministers of the Organisation of American states (OAS) that is sponsored by the OAS and the T&T government.

Persad-Bissessar will deliver the opening address at the conference on Thursday morning at the Hyatt in Port of Spain.

Following the meeting Wednesday with Holder a joint statement was issued by the office of the Prime Minister, acknowledging a long and fruitful history of bilateral cooperation on security and law enforcement matters.

The statement noted Trinidad and Tobago's active partnership in the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), which President Barack Obama announced in 2009 at the Summit of the Americas in Port of Spain.

"Through increased collaboration provided by a consultative process, the CBSI partnership enhances citizen safety in the Caribbean by training law enforcement officials, expanding judicial capacity, supporting prison reform, diverting youth from drugs, and improving the economic well-being of citizens," the statement noted.

"The Governments of the United States and of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago look forward to on-going bilateral collaboration including on cases involving counter-terrorism and terrorist financing," it added.

It stated further, "The Honourable Prime Minister and Attorney General Holder discussed their common interests and goals in reducing illicit trafficking in all forms through the Caribbean, increasing public safety and security, and promoting social justice.

"These goals coincide with topics to be discussed this week at the Organization of American States’ Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Public Security in the Americas (MISPA III), hosted by the Ministry of National Security."

The Trinidad & Tobago team that met with Holder included Minister of Foreign Affairs and Communications Dr. Surujrattan Rambachan, Minister of National Security John Sandy, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan and Minister of Justice Herbert Volney.

The American ambassador to Trinidad & Tobago, Beatrice Welters, accompanied Holder.