Thursday, September 28, 2006

by Stephen Cummings
Caribbean Net News Trinidad and Tobago Correspondent
Email: stephen@caribbeannetnews.com

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Trinidad and Tobago's Foreign Affairs Minister, Knowlson Gift, has resigned from the Patrick Manning Administration.

The shock resignation came in a four-page letter to Manning as the Prime Minister was on a trip to the US.

The man who has piloted many of the country's foreign affairs matters told Manning that his conscience is clear . Gift also thanked Manning for the opportunity to serve the country.

The resignation was immediately accepted by the Prime Minister.

It is now being rumoured that a row may have ensued between the Prime Minister and his senior cabinet Minister. However other government ministers who spoke with reporters denied that there was any such development.

Manning is in Washington attending a conference, and could not be reached for comment last evening. And when contacted by a reporter Tuesday, Acting Prime Minister Lenny Saith said he had no comment.

However, in his resignation letter, Gift said there was not a single foreign policy initiative, or priority mandated by the Prime Minister, that was not successfully accomplished.

This is the second time that Gift has resigned from the position of Foreign Affairs Minister.

He had served in the post for only ten days in 1995, before resigning, following allegations of financial impropriety at the end of his assignment as Commissioner to Jamaica.

Meanwhile, it is understood that Prime Minister Manning will take on the role as Minister of Foreign Affairs, until a replacement is announced.

Word from the office of the Prime Minister indicates that Manning has expressed his gratitude for the loyal service rendered by Gift, during his tenure as Minister of Foreign Affairs.

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