Prime Minister Patrick Manning lashed out at the scourge of terrorism and appealed for more funding to help Grenada and other Caribbean states get back on their feet, when he addressed the United Nations General Assembly yesterday in New York.
By Roxanne StapletonHe pleaded that Grenada required what was beyond the region's capacity to deliver and urged the wider international community and their agencies to respond adequately and to play their part.
He also voiced serious concern for Haiti, which had been ravaged by Hurricane Jeanne, resulting in a death toll that has crossed 1,000.
Manning thanked UN Secretary General Kofi Annan for his response in pledging US$25 million in aid to Grenada in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan.
He also gave glowing reviews of Caricom states, who, he noted, rallied to the assistance of Grenada, recognising their "massive outpouring of humanitarian aid".
On terrorism Manning said Trinidad and Tobago condemned "the manifestation of terrorism wherever and by whomsoever committed..." citing the importance of legal instruments against terrorism and parliamentary action taken by governments to enact legislation.
This, he said, would enable us to honour obligations regarding the international convention for the suppression of the financing of terrorism, adding that plans of action must seek to comprehensively address emerging threats to the sustainable development of small island developing states.
Manning used the opportunity to highlight Trinidad and Tobago's bid to permanently host the Secretariat of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), saying that it would open a market of 800 million, generating tremendous opportunities for economic and social development.
He also promoted this country's accomplishments in the field of energy, saying that 130,000 barrels of oil per day was produced and that 80 per cent of all US LNG imports came from Trinidad and Tobago.
Manning noted that last year Trinidad was second only to Canada among per capita recipients of foreign direct investment in the hemisphere after a decade of positive economic growth.
Manning cited a population literacy level of more than 90 per cent, a sound work ethic, good communications and infrastructure as attractions toward doing business in Trinidad and Tobago.
He closed by urging support for the UN, saying that it could continue its role in the fight against injustice, inequality, inequity and intolerance worldwide.
