Trinidad PM says that he was not 'blanked' by Jamaica and Belize
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| Published on Friday, August 29, 2008 |
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By Oscar Ramjeet
Caribbean Net News Special Correspondent
Email: oscar@caribbeannetnews.com
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Although Jamaica and Belize are not in favour of the proposed political and economic union between Trinidad and Tobago and three OECS states, Patrick Manning, Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, the proponent of the merger feels that he was not "blanked" by the two leaders.
Manning told newsmen in Port of Spain, "Nobody blank Manning or any such thing. We never asked anybody to sign anything, you know."
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| Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Patrick Manning. AFP PHOTO |
He added that he did not conduct negotiations with any of the heads of government he met with to sign the Memorandum of Understanding he signed with Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines and St Lucia on August 14, for the establishment of an economic union by 2011and a political union by 2013.
He said, "We are putting together a coalition of the willing. It is those who are willing to go in this direction who will come to the table."
The Trinidad Express reported that, although Manning said no decision has been taken on the exact form the political union would take, he noted the options available were a unitary state, a federation, a confederation or a commission similar to the European Union that pools some essentials for the sovereignties of the states.”
He also commented on the call from the opposition for a referendum on the issue. He said the people will be able to express their support for or against the initiative in the next general election due in 2012, which is one year before the 2013 start-up deadline for the proposed political union.
The Prime Minister explained that the proposed union is not going to be a movement of leaders but has to be a movement of the people.
He added, "The word referendum has a technical and legal connotation. I chose not to use it. If we consult the people in a general election and this is made an election matter, then if we win the elections, we have the endorsement of the public. That's how it works." Manning said. | | | | Reads : 442 | | | |
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