PM Kamla doesn't need Manning's help, has apologised to Cuban President

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said on Saturday she doesn't need Patrick Manning's help. And she said she has already offered an apology to Cuban President Raul Castro.

She was responding to statements made earlier in the day by the former Prime Minister at a news conference.

Manning told reporters the government acted improperly in the matter of the Caricom Cuba summit and said the government owes an apology to Cuban President Raul Castro.

The government had to change the venue from the Trinidad Hilton to thge National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) because the Hilton did not get permission from the US administration to host the meeting with the Cuban delegation in attendance.

The hotel is managed by Hilton Worldwide, an American company. Under the Helms Burton Act the company is not allowed to have contact with Cuban government officials.

"When I met his Excellency President Castro, I said to him I was sorry about what happened, so I have told him that to his face. He says he understands. It is not the first time that they have faced a blockade from the US and they have been living under that for many, many years," the Prime Minister said on Saturday.

She added, "He said he was not upset about it in the sense that they have faced that kind of behaviour before, indeed the entire country has been blockaded for the past 50 years so he was very happy to be here, his visit was very beneficial for us and I do believe for Cuba as well."

On the other matter, Persad-Bissessar said it seems that Manning wants her job. And she added that the only way he can have it is if the people vote him back into office.

"There are times when we cooperate," Persad-Bissessar told local media.

"Indeed, yesterday (Friday) we passed a bill...we got the votes of the Opposition. We will work with them but I don't believe that is the kind of help Mr. Manning was speaking of.

"Mr. Manning wants my job but he has to wait for that until there is an election and should the people so vote for him, then so be it. But at the moment, we were elected by the majority of people in this country and I do not intend to call an early election."