Ramotar to meet US Vice-President in T&T

May 23, 2013 News

President Donald Ramotar will join his fellow CARICOM Heads of State in Trinidad and Tobago, on May 29, where pertinent issues will be discussed with United States of America Vice-President Joe Biden.

President Donald Ramotar

This is according to Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon, yesterday during his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing.
Dr. Luncheon said that trade, economic development, US State Department Reports on CARICOM countries, and security cooperation are among the many matters to be discussed at the meeting.
Following newspaper articles on the ‘United States of America 2012 Human Rights Report’ on Guyana which highlighted shortcomings of Government including the absence of the Integrity and Public Procurement Commissions, Ramotar said, “I don’t feel we should be lectured upon; I don’t think that anybody has the moral right to lecture upon us.”
He drew reference to the Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba, a detainment and interrogation facility of the US military, which recently saw several prisoners going on a hunger strike to protest abuse.
The Head of State admitted: “We do have issues (here). We have to try to work very hard to eradicate some of the weaknesses in our system.”
According to the US Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago, Biden and Dr. Jill Biden will travel to Brazil, Colombia, and Trinidad and Tobago during the week of May 26, 2013.
“In each country, the Vice President will meet with key leaders to discuss the full range of bilateral and regional issues.
“In Trinidad and Tobago, the Vice President looks forward to meeting with Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar as well as leaders of other Caribbean countries, whom Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar has graciously offered to invite,” the Embassy said.
The Embassy said that the trip will be an important chance to discuss collective efforts to promote economic growth and development, access to energy and ongoing collaboration on citizen security.