PM: No TT-Barbados bacchanal

THE Prime Minister declared that all “attempts to undermine” diplomatic ties between TT and Barbados “have failed and failed miserably.”

Dr Rowley made this declaration in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, rejecting claims by the Opposition and a Barbados Today editorial that TT-Barbados relations had been damaged by statements by National Security Minister Stuart Young.

Last week, Young said people were using an unnamed Caricom country as “a jumping point” to enter TT while its borders were closed. On Tuesday, a Barbados Today editorial accused Young of using “inflammatory and accusatory” and “highly offensive” language.”

Rowley said, “I am concerned about any attempt to give the impression there is any bacchanal between TT and Barbados on this or any other matter.” He dismissed Naparima MP Rodney Charles’s claims of growing anger and distress in Barbados because of Young’s statements.

“The vast majority of the people of Barbados have no difficulty with the people of TT,” he said.

“Where there is a difference of opinion or of interpretation exists, Rowley said, the nature and strength of the TT-Barbados relationship allows both countries to overcome such differences “notwthstanding the best efforts of underminers in and out of this country.”

He told Charles, ‘Distress comes in a variety of ways.

In international diplomacy, distress is replaced by love and affection.” Rowley said all that happened was that TT made it “very clear to our friendly and very loving neighbour that we have a situation which we have clarified for them.”

Rowley said TT’s borders are closed and “therefore we will not be in a position to accept any and every attempt to come to TT via our airport.”

He added that were this to be allowed, “We might as well open up Piarco.

TT’s borders were closed on March 22 to prevent the spread of the covid19 pandemic.

Rowley said TT and Barbados can now “go forward in brotherly love.”

He added, “That doesn’t seem to please some people.” Later in the sitting,

Young said with the exception of 33 TT nationals who returned from Barbados last week and the brief visit of Venezuelan vice president Delcy Rodriguez last month, “no other people have been allowed to disembark at Piarco since we closed our borders.”