Volume 30
August - September 2007
www.tthighcommission.co.ukÂ
The Prime Minister’s Message to Commemorate Independence Day 2007
TTHC in London hosts Pan Icons
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PAGE 9
T&T Govt. contributes TT$20m to Jamaica’s Relief Efforts
Brown Sugar retains Britain's Calypso Monarch Title
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Eye on Trade
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Product of the High Commission of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, London
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Independence Church Service in pictures
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LONDON MISSION
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Prime Minister presents $42B 2008 Budget
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web of training opportunities; to continue to uplift the living standards of senior citizens, public service pensioners, the physically challenged and all those who face social exclusion; and to enhance capacity and improve service delivery in the health sector.
In his presentation on August 20, 2007, the Prime Minister highlighted the main priorities set by Government for the fiscal year, which included: to continue efforts to combat crime and to provide a higher level of security for all citizens; to deepen and accelerate the ongoing education reform by upgrading, modernizing and expanding the system of primary and secondary schools, and expand the
Some of the measures also proposed by the Prime Minister included: increases in public assistance and disability grants, as well as grants to senior citizens; a one-time payment to retired public servants to cover the months of October, November and December, given that the new National Insurance System (NIS) payment starts in January 2008; an increase in deductible claims for pensions and annuities; compensation for victims of uninsured drivers; relief of customs and motor vehicle tax for nationals returning after two years or more abroad, and an increase in the
rime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Patrick Manning, presented a $42.2 Billion dollar budget to the people of Trinidad and Tobago for the fiscal year 2008, themed: "Vision 2020Determined to reach our Goal".
minimum wage. Prime Minister Manning said "the Budget for fiscal year 2008 is couched in the context of a longer term plan, which represents another phase in our journey towards Vision 2020." Vision 2020, he said, "acknowledges that Trinidad and Tobago is in a situation of unprecedented opportunity and challenge, and recognizes, however, that economic prosperity does not depend solely on physical endowments or proximity to markets, but that it incorporates the nurturing of a caring society; it envisages that the foundation of our society is based on the creation of strong families with high moral and ethical values; that all our citizens have access to adequate and affordable housing and first class health care that enable them to live healthy lifestyles; and that we put in place new systems to support the most vulnerable in our society."
The following is a breakdown by Ministry of estimated expenditure (in TT$) including the Development Programme:
$8,131757,290
Ministry Energy and Energy Industries $1,338,195,508
Ministry of Agriculture Land and Marine Resources $674,083 417
Ministry of National Security $3,909,707,707
Ministry of Local Government $1,450,641,689
Judiciary $340,559,444
Ministry of Education $3,770,305,281
Ministry of Science ,Technology and Tertiary Education $1,967,676,585
Ministry of Health
Ministry of Social Development $2,128,871,756
Ministry of Finance
$3,206,256,504 Ministry of Public Utilities and the Environment $2,436,850.850 Ministry of Works and Transport $2,043 604.722
Charges on Account of the public debt $3,282, 702,840 Tobago House of Assembly $1.761,252,167 Ministry of Public Administration and Information $668,699.368
Office of the Prime Minister $219,992,010 Ministry of Housing $538,263,720 Ministry of Foreign Affairs $422,425,210 Ministry of Labour and Smalll and Microenterprise Development $157,330,141 Ministry of Trade and Industry $206,931.800
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LONDON MISSION
Message to commemorate independence Day 2007 My fellow citizens, This is my tenth message to the national community on the occasion of the annual commemoration of our Independence. And, once again, it gives me great pleasure to extend greetings and best wishes to the national community, as we commemorate the forty-fifth anniversary of our nation’s Independence. Our pursuit and acquisition of Independence in 1962 constituted that tremendously bold and courageous undertaking which brought us into the family of sovereign nations and established irreversibly the emergence of our nation-state. Independence conferred on us the responsibility for our governance and development, the right to determine our future and to chart a course which, contrary to the experience of our colonial past, places the wellbeing of our people at the centre of our initiatives and efforts. The enormity of the challenge was hardly matched by our options and wherewithal, but our greatest asset remained, as it is today, the determination and commitment of our people to surmount all difficulties and take our nation forward. After four and a half decades of Independence, there is a lot for which we must be thankful to Almighty God and be justifiably proud. Our young nation has made
remarkable strides in the various aspects of national life. We remain a shining example of a plural society achieving greater social harmony day by day. We continue unrelentingly to develop and strengthen our democratic traditions and the foundation for the further pursuit and enjoyment of civil liberties, equal rights and justice by our citizens. We have been able to bring significant economic development to our country. Through our industrial revolution in the energy sector, we have transformed ourselves into the major economy of the Caribbean, and one of the most promising in our hemisphere. After a mere forty-five years of Independence, our exports of ammonia, methanol, urea and liquefied natural gas have positively catapulted us on the world stage. In recent years, we have significantly quickened the pace of our economic development and can now proceed with greater confidence into a future of unprecedented opportunity and promise. We continue to strengthen the foundation for future growth and prosperity. This, though, must always be measured in terms of the development of our people. Through our initiatives in housing, health, infrastructure and the provision of social amenities, our citizens are benefiting from a level of industrial development not normally associated with small island developing states. We are now poised to realize a second industrial revolution, this time in our nonenergy sector, with all the positive
implications for improvement in the quality of life of our citizens. Even as we begin to pursue this goal, we are already an important manufacturer of non-energy products and services in the region. Growth and development is never unaccompanied by challenges. The solutions lie in the development of our people. We recognize the creativity and genius of our people and are pursuing our transformation into a knowledge-based, technologydriven, competitive society. Bridging the gap between our society and those of the developed world has in fact never been a question of the potential of our people, as much as that of providing the opportunities for their development. We are therefore confronting the related human resource development challenge through the implementation of a massive, revolutionary thrust in education. To our universal primary and secondary education programmes we have added universal early childhood education, free access to tertiary education, increased technical and vocational training, and new retraining and retooling initiatives for our senior citizens. These programmes are complemented by an extensive range of social sector development initiatives aimed at further empowering all in our society to ensure all are involved and no one is left behind. The developmental experience we have acquired and the options now available to us point to the tremendous possibilities of the future, inspiring our determination Continues on next page.
LONDON MISSION
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he latest data released by the Central Statistical Office indicate that headline inflation rose to just under 8.0 per cent (7.95 per cent) on a year-on-year basis to July from 7.3 per cent in the previous month. This increase comes on the heels of a sustained decline in headline inflation since October 2006. Food price inflation, whose decline was responsible for the fall in headline inflation over the past seven months, showed a reversal with a year-on-year increase of 17.2 per cent in July compared to 14.7 per
cent in June. Food price inflation had reached 26.5 per cent on a year-onyear basis in October 2006. On a monthly basis, food prices rose by 2.8 per cent in July 2007 - the largest monthly increase for the year to date. In July 2007, core inflation remained at around 4.5 per cent, the same level for the last three months. This rigidity suggests that underlying inflationary pressures have not yet been fully contained. The reversal in the food prices came largely from the vegetables sub-
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group, where prices rose by 7.3 per cent in the month of July alone. On a year-on-year basis to July, the price of vegetables, which has a significant weight in the food basket, rose by 26.8 per cent compared with 19.4 per cent in June. The main contributor within the vegetable category was the increase in the prices of root-crops. According to NAMDEVCO, domestic supply shortages and lower imports from regional trading partners related to transportation problems, were mainly responsible for the upward pressure in the price of root-crops.
Independence Address by the Prime Minister Continued from page 4
to transform Trinidad and Tobago into a developed country by the year 2020, by which time we expect to provide our citizens with a quality of life comparable to that enjoyed in other developed nations. We continue to implement a plan towards the achievement of this goal which is well within our grasp, and in respect of which we are well on our way. In pursuit of our objective in these regards, we continue a journey which requires, not only the involvement of all in our society, but also our best individual, collective and united efforts. As we embrace the many opportunities emerging for the maximization of the potential of our society and the optimization of our development, our success will also depend on how we comport ourselves.
Obstructionism, opportunism and divisiveness in any form are less likely to help us in our quest and must give way to meaningful, constructive and unifying agendas. Altruism must govern our considerations which must rise above divided concerns. Let us not forget that the pursuit of real and lasting unity must take precedence over opportunistic, self-serving alliances and partnerships. Integration rather than segregation of our society must guide our logic, actions and utterances. Care and concern for those less privileged must mobilize our individual and collective actions. Our Independence must therefore inflame our passion for the nation and our tolerance of each other, our respect for good manners and the sanctity of life. Without those
values a nation can neither aspire nor thrive. As we come together to celebrate our Independence, and as we look ahead confidently to the future, partisan considerations must be obliterated from our hearts and minds. Let us always be guided by the national interest. Let us commit ourselves to nation-building. Let us allow the future of our beloved nation to guide our thoughts and deeds. And let us on this basis take on the future of this our great land. May Almighty God continue to bless our nation. Patrick Manning
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LONDON MISSION
Trinidad & Tobago Government Contributes
Sen. the Honourable Arnold Piggott, Minister of Foreign Affairs
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n the true spirit of CARICOM, the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has made a contribution of TT$20 Million to the relief efforts of the Government of Jamaica following the devastation of Hurricane Dean. Reports from around the Region indicate that 13 deaths have been reported as a result of Hurricane Dean.
There were four in Haiti, three in Jamaica, two each in Dominica and Martinique and one each in Saint Lucia and the Dominican Republic. Those countries also suffered extensive infrastructural damage. In Haiti, 1,500 families were left homeless and 7,000 people remain in shelters. Up to 60,000 families need help in Jamaica, including roofing cover for their homes. Disaster management officials in Saint Lucia say infrastructural damage stands at US$6 million, while in Dominica the figure is said to be close to $18m. Martinique's regional council reported $337m in damage following Dean's passage.
All the countries have also r e por t e d s i g ni f i c a nt damage, particularly to the banana industry. Meanwhile, in light of the forecast that Hurricane Dean would have directly passed over Jamaica, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its High Commission in Kingston, contacted all Trinidad and Tobago students on the island. It was reported that some fifty (50) Trinidad and Tobago students were resident in Jamaica, at that time, as the University of the West Indies Mona Campus was on vacation. About twenty (20) of those students were in residence on the Mona Campus, with the other thirty (30) in various accommodations throughout Kingston.
The Administration of the University of the West Indies had assured the Ministry of Foreign Affairs t h a t s e c u r e accommodation was being arranged for the Trinidad and Tobago students that were on the University’s campus. However, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago decided to ensure that all our students were provided with safe and secure accommodation and authorised the High Commission to accommodate the offcampus students as well as the on-campus students at a hotel. The Trinidad and Tobago High Commission in Kingston has since advised that all students are returning to the Mona Campus as all facilities are operational.
Kudos to Woodbrook Government Secondary
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he Ministry of Education was amongst the first to congratulate the Principal of Woodbrook Government Secondary School, Mr. Shawn Tull, teachers and students on achieving 100 percent passes in the Caribbean Advance Proficiency Examination, 2007 in the subjects listed below.
Parents, guardians and students are advised that the school currently has available Form Six places for students wishing to pursue the following subjects:
Sen. the Honourable Hazel Manning, Minister of Education
• • • •
Management of Business Sociology Literature in English Caribbean Studies
• • •
Accounting History Communication Studies
Interested persons may contact the Principal at Woodbrook Government Secondary School, 41-45 French Street, Woodbrook, Port of Spain, Trinidad. Tel – (868) 628 7468.
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by Dionne Ligoure
About Chaguaramas: The Chaguaramas Development Authority (CDA) is a statutory body of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago.
drive to diversify the economy and secure longer-term sustainability.
The area of Chaguaramas is located on the west coast of Trinidad. It has become a major entertainment and recreation spot. The peninsula is home to several popular nightclubs, excellent restaurants and is one of the preferred locations for concerts and shows.
The area of Chaguaramas is also designated as a National Park, reflecting the rich endowment of ecological, historical and archaeological resources. It is against this background that the CDA is actively looking for a European Hotel Operator to partner with it to establish an eighty room Hotel and Planetarium in Chaguaramas.
Exquisite location: Chaguaramas is well known for its lush forests of ‘bewildering complexity’. The striking peaks of the hills offer spectacular views across rich green valleys, idyllic coastlines and much more. The flora and fauna are exquisite. A myriad of species abound including the Red Howler Monkey, capuchin monkeys, wild hogs and silky anteaters; deer; agouti; armadillo; collared peccary; caimans and iguanas; even the ocelot and the elusive tyra. There is also no shortage of birds, butterflies and insects.
The opportunities for investors: The project is quite an exciting one, with solid potential for returns on investment to the savvy businessperson. The proposed site consists of three plateaus situated on top of a ridge of the Northern Range and overlooking the Caribbean Sea.
Chaguaramas
A variety of flora blankets the area, from our national flower, the Chaconia, to the mighty immortelle. This variety of wildlife creates numerous ecosystems that define the striking and unique features of the peninsula. A home for Yachting:
The potential investor will provide the design, construct and operation package. The role of the CDA is as lessor of land and financier. The project will involve the construction of a hotel of a maximum of eighty rooms and all other standard features of a hotel, including swimming pools, spas, restaurants, bars, gift shops and so on.
Chaguaramas is also the location of the fastest growing nautical industry in the Caribbean. It is recognised as an international hurricane ‘safe-zone’ and marinas and boatyards have sprung up along the south shore. Thousands of yachts make the area their home every year.
Given the location, eco sensitive features will figure prominently to create a unique facility.
Readers should note that the Yachting Industry is one of the sectors identified by Government for enhancement, in its
Its location, atop an 8-acre plateau with three additional levels;
The major elements that will influence the theme of the hotel are:
Continues on page 12.
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LONDON MISSION
“Our National Flag belongs to all our citizens. Our National Coat-of Arms, with our National Birds inscribed therein, is the sacred thrust of all our citizens. So it is today. Please, I urge you, let it always be so. Let us always be able to say, with the Psalmist, behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.”
- Eric Williams, Independence Day Address, August 31,1962
J
ust moments after Dr. Eric Williams stood in front of the nation, pronouncing our independence, Sir Learie Constantine (above) stood at the exclamation mark of our independence - the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission in London – the first of our nation’s overseas symbols of sovereignty. In his cricketing days, he was brutal and fearless on the field. Whether he was hustling a batsman with a quick bouncer, spanking a delivery to the boundary in haste, dashing across the field with athleticism unparalleled in his day, or having a laugh with his team-mates and fans, his brute on the field and his candour off it knew no favour, and the public loved him for it. He treated every bowler, batsman and ball the same and carried this attitude outside the realm of sport. His unflinching insistence on equal rights for all, in delicate 1940s and ’50s England, are well documented. One can only surmise that the words of Captain Williams were still resonating within as this fearless allrounder
stood at the crease at 51 Audley Street, when colonial rule was hit for six. It must have been a defining moment in a list of many for proud and noble ‘Connie,’ His Excellency, Sir Learie...Lord Constantine. Leolynn Jones, a long serving member of Trinidad and Tobago Community in the United Kingdom, and a member of staff at the first High Commission, recounts her memories of the man and of the early days of the London Mission. The Man – Lord Constantine Baron Constantine or Sir Learie, as he was to us then, was an unassuming man, a genuine man with an abundance of charisma. He always handled himself with such dignity and poise. He and his wife Norma were consummate ambassadors. He was very popular with the staff. The Mission certainly derived great benefit from his established high profile. The esteem for which Sir Learie was held by the British public made the jobs for the rest of us at the Mission a lot easier. August 31, 1962 We were all proud of course. When the Mission started in 1961 under Eric Murray, there was no feeling then amongst the staff that Trinidad and Tobago would become independent, and that
42 Belgrave Square
LONDON MISSION
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Then and now: Lord Learie Constantine and Lady Norma Constantine at the reception to mark Trinidad and Tobago’s Independence in 1962. Above right: Her Excellency Glenda Morean Phillip and Mr. Oscar Phillip at this year’s Interfaith Church Service at St. Peter’s Church, London. On August 31, 2007, Trinidad and Tobago celebrated 45 years of independence. See back page for more pictures from the Service.
the Mission would become a High Commission. On the day of August 31 however, I remember thinking to myself, ‘I came to this country a colonial, and here I stand a citizen of my independent Trinidad and Tobago.’
purposeful. There is nothing to prevent us from providing the best service possible to our nationals and pursuing the interests of our Government and our people. And for this I am happy to be a part of the team.”
It must have been an incredible feeling to be in Trinidad and Tobago on that day, to hear Dr. Williams’ address, but to be on English soil, witnessing the hoisting of our flag as we proclaimed our independence, that was something special. The affair itself was small but that did not take away from the grandness of the occasion. There were no more than twenty five people present at the High Commission.
Facts about the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission (TTHC), London Accreditations: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Germany and Sweden. Also accredited to the Commonwealth Secretariat and its Agencies, the International Maritime Organisation and Commodity Organisations (Cocoa, Coffee and Sugar).
51 South Audley Street The Mission was first at Stratton Street but we moved to the more spacious 51 Audley Street in time for independence. It was still nothing like what we have now. It was a small two-storey allocation within a building, but then there weren’t that many Officers to house back then either. The History It goes without saying that there is a lot of history associated with the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission in London. We were the first High Commission established by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. Patrick Castani, while working at the Commission, composed our national anthem. I remember him playing it for us to hear before submitting it for the competition in Trinidad and Tobago. We all liked it. Sir Edward Beetham was also a member of staff at the time. Those were great days. Now, 45 years later, the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission in London is still going strong. The Office has moved to swanky Belgravia (since 1969) and is under the astute leadership of former Attorney General, Her Excellency Glenda Morean Phillip SC. As Roanna Gopaul (First Secretary and newest member of staff) puts it, “Our focus is steadfast and our leadership is
Responsibilities of the TTHC London Facilitate trade, investment and tourism with the countries to which it is accredited. Provision of consular services to nationals of Trinidad and Tobago. LM
Right: Leolynn Jones, member of staff at the 1962 Trinidad and Tobago High Commission, with Roanna Gopaul, First Secretary at the 2007 High Commission, on the steps of 42 Belgrave Square.
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LONDON MISSION
Dear Editor, Please allow me to direct this letter to Mr. Geoff Lowe of the Public Affairs, Culture and Tourism Department.
Once again, thank you and I will keep the office posted on the results of my work.
Mr. Lowe, thank you so much for letting me conduct research for my dissertation at the High Commission. I cannot begin to tell you how helpful the material I have gathered will be to me. I am extremely grateful for all the help you gave me over the few days that I spent in the Mission’s Library.
Many thanks, Kirsty Ireland
Your generosity and the hospitality shown by all made the hours of research all the more achievable, not to mention the value of your guidance and advice along the way.
To send letters to the editor please e-mail to: tthc@btconnect.com or post to: Mr. Ashton Ford Attaché - Public Affairs, Culture & Tourism Trinidad and Tobago High Commission 42 Belgrave Square London SW1X 8NT
Pan School shines in Aberdeen
G
ary Straker’s Pan School gave Trinidad and Tobago a big boost on an international stage when they gave a stunning performance at the biannual Aberdeen International Youth Festival on August 8th at the Beach Ballroom. The young steel orchestra had the large audience, which comprised mainly of Scottish citizens, singing along with them when they played “Scotland the Brave” and followed it up with a superb performance of the “Hallelujah Chorus.” They then had the patrons virtually jumping when the band played the popular calypso “Hot Hot”.
High Commissioner Morean Phillip and Mr. Phillip with a young pannist on the Gary Straker truck at the street parade in Aberdeen, Scotland.
The Gary Straker Pan School on stage
Her Excellency Glenda Morean Phillip paid glowing tribute to the band after witnessing the spectacular official opening where the band performed on a street parade. Attaché Ashton Ford was in attendance on the night the young members of the steel orchestra performed as true cultural ambassadors in Scotland. Attaché Ashton Ford meets a member of the group as former Director of Sports and Youth Affairs, Cecil Walker, looks on.
LONDON MISSION
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Trinidad and Tobago High Commission
H
er Excellency Glenda Morean Phillip, High Commissioner for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, held a reception for three icons in the steelband fraternity, Len "Boogsie" Sharpe, Ray Holman and Ken "Professor" Philmore. The function took place on Thursday 16th August at the High Commission's office at 42 Belgrave Square in London. Some of the top panmen in the United Kingdom were also present namely Pepe Francis, President of the British Association of Steelbands, Rudy ‘Two Lef’ Smith from Denmark, and local top arranger Anise 'Haffers' Hadeed.
Above: H.E. Glenda Morean Phillip with (from left) pannists Ansise Hadeed, Ken "Professor" Philmore, Rudy Smith, Len "Boogsie" Sharpe and Ray Holman in the reception room t the TTHC.
Boogsie played and was even accompanied in song by the rest of the icons. Cultural Attaché, Ashton Ford, welcomed the icons and noted that it was indeed an historic occasion to have three leading panmen together in London at the High Commission. Right: Ray Holman and Alberto accompany Boogsie in song.
BROWN SUGAR RETAINS BRITAIN’S CALYPSO MONARCH TITLE
B
everley Brown created history as she became the first ever female calypsonian to win the Britain’s Calypso Monarch title for two consecutive years.
Brown Sugar
She regained the title at the Calypso finals staged by the Association of British Calypsonians (ABC)on August 23 at the Yaa Asanteewa before a sell out crowd that included High Commissioner for Trinidad and Tobago H.E. Glenda Morean Phillip.
Brown Sugar, as she is known in the calypso arena, was very popular with the crowd when she sang her winning composition “Free our mind”. Competition was indeed stiff as the calibre of calypsos was impressively high. The field was widened and the number of finalists increased from five to ten and calypsonians sang one composition instead of the two songs as in the past. In second place was Wendy Lewis (Wen D) with her song “Give thanks”. Like the winning calypso, her song was a thought provoking piece of musical orature which cast Wen D in a spiritual light. The third place was shared by both Cleopatra and Lord Cloak. The latter’s inclusion in the top three places was his first in several years and it was good to see him back Continues on page 13.
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LONDON MISSION
Trinidad and Tobago and the United Kingdom sign Air Services Agreement
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rinidad and Tobago and the United Kingdom have successfully re-negotiated a Bilateral Air Services Agreement. After almost six years, this was good news to all parties to the process. The new agreement will soon be brought into administrative effect. This is a formality as the terms are already agreed.
The agreement is another pillar strengthening the bilateral bridge between the two nations. It will facilitate air carriers from both countries to develop the market, extend their reach and offer more travel choices. It will also benefit the tourism industry in both markets. The final leg of the negotiations took place in London from August 28 to 29. What is a bilateral Air Services Agreement (ASA)? A bilateral Air Service Agreement (also sometimes called a bilateral Air Transport Agreement) is an agreement which two nations sign to allow civil aviation between their territories.
Pictured are His Honour, Justice Cecil Bernard, Chairman of the Standing Negotiating Committee on Air Services, and Mark Rodmell, Head of Aviation Negotiations for Russia, CIS, Asia-Pacific and North America.
His Honour, Justice Cecil Bernard, Chairman of the Standing Negotiating Committee on Air Services led the delegation. Justice Bernard was ably supported by Mrs. Sonia Francis-Yearwood, Secretary of the Standing Committee, Mr. Ramesh Lutchmedial, Director General, Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority, Mr. Dayanand Birju, Representative, Caribbean Airlines and Dionne Ligoure, Commercial Attaché, Trinidad and Tobago High Commission, London.
In 1913, in what was probably the earliest such agreement, a bilateral Exchange of Notes was signed between Germany and France to provide for airship services. One of the first post-Second World War ASA’s was the Bermuda Agreement, which was signed in 1946 by the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Features of this agreement became models for the thousands of such agreements that were to follow. A current model for ASAs is the US-introduced Open Skies treaty. In principle all ASAs should be registered by the International Civil Organization in DAGMAR*. (*Source Wikipedia.com)
Chaguaramas open for investment The presence of the historic satellite/tracking station dish that is to be incorporated into the proposed Planetarium, which according to the design, can be a focal point of the Hotel.
Flat land/building/areas, consisting of three plateaus Plateau No.1 24,500 sq. ft Plateau No.2 195,000 sq. ft Plateau No.3 128,000 sq. ft; and
The surrounding hills and spectacular drive through the Bamboo cathedral located in the flat lands of a tropical rain forest.
Underground tunnel running from Plateau No. 2 to No. 3
LOCATION SPECIFICATIONS: Approximately 83 acres to be made available for the Hotel 827 feet above sea level
Is your appetite whet yet? If you want more information on this opportunity, please contact Commercial Attaché, Dionne Ligoure, on 0207.245.9351 or email tthc.dligoure@btconnect.com LM
LONDON MISSION
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T&T Day at Windsor Race Track
T
rinidad and Tobago staged another successful racing event at the prestigious Royal Windsor course on Monday, August 13. The first race on the six-race event was named after the only race track in Trinidad – Santa Rosa Park. Three Directors of the Betting Levy Board in Trinidad – Francis Joseph, Wilma Primus, and astute trainer Maniram ‘Boboy’ Maharaj – were present as Her Excellency Glenda Morean-Phillip, Trinidad and Tobago’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, headed the list of dignitaries. The Tourism Development Company (TDC), headed by its UK Manager Nova Alexander, hosted some 60 guests as Trinidad and Tobago was on show at Windsor. For the punters who took the tips from a specially-invited former jockey, it was a disaster from the first race. Francis Joseph had to pick the best turned out horse in the Santa Rosa race and he chose the favourite, Pixie’s Blue. But that was all this horse won, the best turned out horse. The race was won by Ocean Transit with jockey Jack Dean in the saddle. Ocean Transit won at 16-1 and a gleeful Dean approached the podium to collect a plaque from Wilma Primus and Maniram Maharaj. About seven
Wilma Primus, left, and Maniram Maharaj, right, present the first prize to two representatives of the Pride of the West Racing Club after their Ocean Transit won the Santa Rosa race.
persons comprising the Pride of the West Racing Club mounted the rostrum to collect their first prize along with Angostura products and Carib beers for the winning stable lads. Inside the Windsor compound, a Trinidad and Tobago booth was set up, inviting punters to this country, not only for horseracing, but for Carnival and showing to the world, the Soca Warriors, and Brian Charles Lara, the world’s premier batsman. The contestants in the Miss TT/UK Pageant also graced the races and drew attention from the patrons. Even the jockeys lined up to meet the girls before riding in race number 2.
London Calypso Tent in form and giving the ladies some competition. Lord Cloak’s song was entitled “Me, myself and I” while Cleopatra sang “One more dance” with Helena B, the ABC’s 2005 Monarch placing fifth with her song “Clean up the Mess”. One of the highlights of the competition night this year was the guest appearance by the legendary David
Rudder who was especially asked to perform at the show by the High Commissioner, H.E. Glenda Morean Phillip. Rudder had the audience singing along with him as he rendered a medley of songs from past years such as “Hammer” and he also sang his current hits. Ashton Moore, President of the ABC , said that the 2007 Calypso
Monarch finals were certainly one of the best for a long time and thanked the audience for making the show a success. He also paid tribute to the winner of the other competition which took place for the first time this year, namely the Groovy Soca. Finally, Mr. Moore thanked the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission for its stellar support of what “we continue to achieve through the medium of calypso music.” LM
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LONDON MISSION
The visiting Trinidad and Tobago Scouts, all 161 of them, and their Scout Masters, were the guests of honour at a reception held at the TTHC on Thursday 9th August, 2007. The Scouts were in the United Kingdom to attend the world’s biggest Scout camp - the Jamboree in Essex - a celebration of the centenary of the youth movement, which brought together 40,000 Scouts from all over the world. Her Excellency Glenda Morean Phillip complimented the ‘young ambassadors,’ as she called them, on their stellar conduct whilst representing their country overseas. Soca legends David Rudder and Machel Montano attended a press conference held at the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission on August 23, prior to the Notting Hill Carnival weekend. Also in attendance were rising artistes Benjai and Roger George. The event was organised by PoisonUK
In August, the High Commission bade farewell to First Secretary Colin Connelly as he left the TTHC London to assume duties in his new posting as the Head of Chancery at the TTHC Abuja, Nigeria. Her Excellency Glenda Morean Phillip hosted a reception at her residence to honour Colin, his wife Nicole and their son Jelani. The High Commissioner, along with the Head of Chancery, Victoria Farley, paid glowing tributes to this dedicated public servant and Her Excellency took the opportunity to thank Colin for his valued contribution to the Mission. Staff members and well wishers turned out in their numbers to say goodbye to a very popular member of the Trinidad and Tobago community in London. Colin and Nicole Connelly
To: Colin, Nicole and Jelani All the best! From: Her Excellency Glenda Morean Phillip and the Staff at the Mission An Enchanted Evening of Fashion and Dance with Designer Daronte
Daronte presents his 2007/2008 Collection of Fantastic Designs for the woman size 12 plus VENUE:HOLIDAY INN (REGENTS PARK) CARBURTON STREET LONDON W1W 5EE
DATE: Saturday 3rd November, 2007 Doors open at 7.00pm Wine reception with canapés
Entertainment by Dynamic Jazz Band Metrovibe and Popular DJ Garments will be available for purchase on the evening Tickets: £30 Tel: 07930619822, 07989075581, 07946655963 or 07939825257
LONDON MISSION
The flag bearer leads Her Excellency Glenda Morean Phillip and the rest of the congregation out of the church, as the service comes to an end.
Reverend Patricia Stephens makes a presentation on behalf of the Spiritual Baptist Faith.
Lt. Col. Sharon Alfonso of the TTHC gives a reading from the Holy Bible.
Sandra Browne Hart performs a medley of songs.
Left: Office Manager at the TTHC and Pundit, Krishna Ragbir makes his contribution on behalf of the Hindu community.
The church was at full capacity for the Service.
15
T sion.
Clockwise from top left: With Tobago Crusoe on the guitar and Mehboob Nadeem on the sitar, the congregation was well entertained at the Independence Church Service. Ray Holman, , Len "Boogsie" Sharpe, and Ken "Professor" Philmore at the TTHC Immigration AttachĂŠ, Nirmal Bhaggan, with the ladies of the Immigration Department, in the new capture site for the issuance of machine readable passports at the TTHC. Pictured are Annette Donald-Wilmot, Ameena Tenny and Beverley Awonaya. Her Excellency Glenda Morean Phillip has a go on the steel drums as the Professor keeps a close eye. Wendel Clement of PoisonUK addresses the media at the PoisonUK press conference for the visiting soca stars from Trinidad and Tobago. Trinidad and Tobago High Commission 42 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8NT Tel: 020 7245 9351 Fax: 020 7823 1065 E-mail: tthc@btconnect.com
Her Glenda Philli husban Phillip Caribbea Organisa