Whilst it is true that road paving and hamper handouts are worthy deliverables of the government for which its ministers must be congratulated, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has to its credit, a few signal responses that would put it equally on par with sister or even brother ministries.
For example, I joined the ministry at a time when its minister and staff were unhesitatingly and compassionately rescuing from Egypt, a number of Trinidadian families, seemingly trapped in the civil unrest that was threatening lives and gripping international News headlines.
For MFO to have missed this humanitarian deed of the Ministry reveals the extent of its research or the lack of it.
I presided over the two media conferences when these Trinidadian families returned and reminiscent of the freedom I expressed after being released from the 1990 attempted coup, I saw the tears flow freely from those returning and the relatives who received them at Piarco.
In one case, the little son of one of the overly grateful families whose father bought him a doubles said “eating this, I feel I am really back in Trinidad and I am happy to be home”.
Happy indeed but too immature to understand that it was the effort of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its dedicated staff that had made night into day to ensure that he and his sibling and parents were back home safely.
In the course of the year, the Ministry would have achieved other admirable milestones in terms of its mandate and responsibility in forging ahead with its Foreign Policy, ensuring continuity and even innovativeness in its relationship with foreign governments.
Happy indeed but too immature to understand that it was the effort of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its dedicated staff that had made night into day to ensure that he and his sibling and parents were back home safely.
In the course of the year, the Ministry would have achieved other admirable milestones in terms of its mandate and responsibility in forging ahead with its Foreign Policy, ensuring continuity and even innovativeness in its relationship with foreign governments.
Along the route Minister Suruj Rambachan would among other things:
- represent the government and people of Trinidad and Tobago as Minister in charge of the Ministerial Council of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS)
- assume the Deputy Chairmanship of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CEMAG)
- lead the discussions in promoting Trinidad and Tobago as the gateway between the Commonwealth and the Americas
- All of the above in addition to negotiating Partial scope Trade Agreements between Panama and Trinidad and Tobago
Quite recently, Minister RAMBACHAN hosted the first ever MEDIA-Ministry interface, exposing Journalists to the inner workings of different departments of the Ministry, where in any one month, the world passes through, having conversations, discussing ideas and strategizing for a more harmonious interconnectivity between Trinidad and Tobago and the countries with which it shares cordial and friendly relations.
Do these achievements (only a snapshot) deserve a rating beyond a flippant two per cent?
Do these achievements (only a snapshot) deserve a rating beyond a flippant two per cent?
I strongly believe so and therefore, I would suggest to MFO that the next time it attempts such a survey, kindly consult the appropriate MARKET for the relevant FACTS so that your OPINION serves a more enlightened purpose.
Gideon Hanoomansingh
Gideon Hanoomansingh
Communications Adviser, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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