The two women met in Washington, DC following an address to the Organisation of American States (OAS) by Persad-Bissessar.
“We stand ready; let us know if you need any help,” Clinton told Persad-Bissessar. “We are offering to help Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia and the rest of the region.”
Clinton also told the Prime Minister the U.S. is working on an aid package for the Caribbean region to combat the threat of small arms shipment and security generally.
Clinton accepted an invitation from Persad-Bissessar to visit Trinidad and Tobago. "I look forward to working with you," she said, noting that she has been following closely developments in the country since the May 24 general election.
Earlier in the day Persad-Bissessar asked the OAS for help for the Caribbean states that have been hard hit by Hurricane Tomas.
“Hurricane Tomas wrought considerable damage in St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia and, sadly once again dealt Haiti another blow. I accompanied Prime Minister Stephenson King on a tour of St Lucia last Friday and truly, the devastation was widespread, the plight and distress of the people heart-wrenching,” she said.
"Today I respectfully call upon us as colleagues, as neighbours, as brothers and sisters of this hemisphere, as a family of the OAS, I call upon you respectively, where possible, to expand the outreach to our sister nations, in their hour of need, to bring relief to the people in Kingston, in Castries, in Port-au-Prince, as Trinidad and Tobago will continue doing," said Persad-Bissessar.
"I know hemispheric economic constraints are a reality for all of us, but, we all have to be vigilant with the resources of our people, and economic limitations notwithstanding, we must not and will not compromise our commitment and support to our brothers and sisters in this hemisphere" she added.
"Friends, can I say to you all St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia, to a lesser extent Barbados and of course our hearts bleed for our family in Haiti, they are in need of your help at this time, they're in dire need," said Persad-Bissessar.
She said the region also needs help to deal with the economic fallout from the global financial meltdown. She said the region also needs help in dealing with the problem of trafficking of guns and drugs.
She noted that many countries are still reeling from the world’s worst recession in 70 years, especially those in Central America and the Caribbean.
Most Caribbean countries won’t advance unless their debt position is improved, Persad-Bissessar told the OAS. “The average indebtedness of Caribbean nations reached approximately 50 per cent GDP in 2009 and in some cases it is even higher, such as 83 per cent and 93 per cent in two CARICOM countries,” she added.
The Prime Minister added that each country has its own unique challenges and domestic issues, but she emphasised that there is strength in unity and the multilateral process. "To be united, we must open the door to dialogue... we must always agree to talk, with a view of finding consensus among us," she said.
She pointed out that there are many problems affecting the region and added that the real test will be how the OAS chooses to address these issues and also provide hope beyond the rhetoric of meetings.
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