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The Kamla Persad-Bissessar Matter Nothing More Than A Storm In A Teacup

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It seems the recent statement attributed to Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Kamla Persad-Bissessar has created a furore across the region. It is understandable for people to become emotional at this time when St. Lucians and Vincentians are in obvious distress. It may come as a surprise that BU see nothing wrong with the meaning behind Kamla’s position. Perhaps her message was twisted by a media which is always on the hunt to sensationalize news of late.

If the aid had come form China, USA, Britain and a host of other countries the issue of reciprocal arrangements would be a moot point. It is generally known – taken for granted some might suggest – that many of the so called developed countries attached conditionalities to how aid is deployed. Why should T&T dump aid in St, Lucia for example and the government there feel under no obligation to purchase raw materials from T&T?

BU is not a big fan of Kamal but we have to be honest by saying the media and the politicians should share more blame in this matter which is nothing more than a storm in a teacup.

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97 responses to “The Kamla Persad-Bissessar Matter Nothing More Than A Storm In A Teacup”

  1. anthony Avatar
    anthony

    Dear me, you seem to think people upset about the fact t&t wanted to have kickbacks no dear sir. we upset about the lack of tact and un humanitarian way of the speech . Even the IMF when handing out conditions did a better job than that.

  2. David Avatar
    David

    @anthony

    Did members of Caricom show tact when they signed up for Petrocaribe?

    Kamla has responded to the charge.

    Unlike those who are clapping their traps Kamla is leading a team to St.Lucia at the invitation of St.Lucia’s PM. She has adopted the pragmatic approach.

  3. BAFBFP Avatar
    BAFBFP

    My Friend David;

    My God, man when you miss the point you could really spray it around…! (Petro Caribe … my anus…! PC was a gift no matter how you look at it .. If not for the US Embassy parked in Wildey, and of course influential White Expatriate sentiment, Barbados would have been well advised to accept the offer …)

    I will pick up where Anthony ended with my own beef. I am one who looked forward to the day when women would play a major role in the decision making of countries and business enterprises. I had this misguided belief that with their participation we would have a more humane, just and caring society, a change from the insensitivity and arrogance that we have been traditionally served by the good old boys network. Instead we have to deal with intransigent one dimensional academics who have little confidence operating outside of the text, and who in the final analysis are still beholding to the same old boy set. This goes beyond lack of “tact”!

    If only it were possible to find the right woman …. with balls to do the right thing, which in this case, at the very least, means saying the right thing …!

  4. anthony Avatar
    anthony

    Well trinidad sells all of its refinery product whether bought in the caribbean on in us. Petrocaribe looked like debt trap to me for all intent and purposes and i sure other would disagree with me but their terms where far better than petrotrini in term of current payments now . Now did those countries demand better condition or else we go elsewhere nope. it was up to petro trini to bring a better deal if they wanted to keep them. thats why is was a commercial deal. Now did those countries tear up there petrotrini contract i don’t think so either. so what point your trying to make from petrocarib deal that was a commerical deal and had nothing to deal with helping people ?

  5. David Avatar
    David

    @anthony

    You should research why Arthur said no which BU had not problem with at the time. You can’t stop buying the people’s oil but expect to draw down on the various support funds they have setup which are funded from petrodollars.

  6. Bad man saying nuttin Avatar
    Bad man saying nuttin

    You talking foolishness David; humanitarian aid should not be linked to economic benefit. Are Trinidad and St. Lucia at war; at loggerheads? in ideological dispute? St. Lucians and vincentians still buying Trini manufactured goods. They bought millions in CL financial investments.Even if she had met with the St. Lucian Prime Minister privately and said well we giving you some aid but times hard and we want to be assured that some Trini companies will get some of the work that would be OK.
    To say it as she did and when she did was crass, vulgar, insensitive and odious. When your brother’s roof is blown off do you tell him I am going to help you put it back on but you got to pay me? Even trinis are bothered by her statement. Simply unbelievable.

  7. BAFBFP Avatar
    BAFBFP

    Oh please exclude me from your conversation, after all I am not worthy, but I cannot let ignorance go unchallenged…!

    “Petrocaribe looked like debt trap to me for all intent and purposes and i sure other would disagree with me but their terms where far better than petrotrini in term of current payments now”

    A deal that offered a ten year moratorium with one percent interest on outstanding balance for the following ten, as long as the saved funds were put towards infrastructural development (as opposed to import cover) is a debt trap? Shite how do you refer to the IMF, Capital Markets and World Bank draw downs?

  8. anthony Avatar
    anthony

    black holes my dear sir.

  9. David Avatar
    David

    Of course there is criticism, so what?

    Read what BU posted using the best comprehension skills.

    We understand the meaning behind the statement.

    A good example is how the US continues to operate in Haiti. Why should T&T dump significant resources in St.Lucia and the some idiotic politician bring in the Chinese or Venezuelan to facilitate construction of houses and roads?

    St. Lucia will have to rebuild and T&T has sent a message we want piece of the action, the woman understands that in a new dispensation there must be a win win position.

  10. BAFBFP Avatar
    BAFBFP

    The woman needs to understand tact … This show me yours and I show you my ATM image will win no friends and serve only to make things worse.

  11. anthony Avatar
    anthony

    David you still don’t get it. Sometime how you say something means more than what your saying.

  12. BAFBFP Avatar
    BAFBFP

    By the way Anthony, give me a debt trap any day ahead of a Black Hole….

  13. anthony Avatar
    anthony

    Indeed but my mother always told me if you could pay your bills in full now, do it don’t let debt always be hanging over your head.

  14. Anonus Avatar
    Anonus

    I agree with the opposing sentiments expressed so far, David. How can one compare giving humanitarian help to a regional CARICOM partner to obtaining such aid from the US or China? Even if it were to be done, it need not be expressed in such “horstilish” public fashion. You do not treat family that way!

  15. David Avatar
    David

    What family what !?!

    If we had a working CSME/Caricom arrangement yes but judging from what we have there is nada basis to talk about family.

  16. BAFBFP Avatar
    BAFBFP

    Oh and by the way Anthony;

    A loan delivered at One percent interest per annum at our historical rate of “imported Inflation” (I luv that term) on an annual basis equates to a net inflow of value. The comrades from the South were GIVING away money …! Arthur is a spineless character … but which among that class is any different

  17. Anonus Avatar
    Anonus

    David,

    Oh how quickly your namesake’s legacy is forgotten. Families First. It lies buried with him. So we in the region have no family… should we sell then what little we have to the US? China? England? And forget the rest of the region?

  18. Another View Avatar
    Another View

    I agree one hundred percent with what BAF is saying

  19. David Avatar
    David

    Anonus

    It is a simple being made. Why should St.Lucia be given aid and then the rebuilding contracts be given to others? While she is being criticized the St. Lucia PM has invited Kamla to visit with a technical team.

  20. Anonus Avatar
    Anonus

    I am afraid that you are missing the point, David. Trinidad is a sovereign country and it can do whatever it likes. But there are nicer ways of doing things.

    What else can the PM of St Lucia do?

  21. anthony Avatar
    anthony

    David you gone off again. we not arguing about t&t wanting the rebuilding contracts with aid supplied by them, we are annoyed with how they said it. further more the need to say it at this stage.

  22. David Avatar
    David

    Semantics!

  23. anthony Avatar
    anthony

    Only if you think so david. words can make or break any politician.

  24. David Avatar
    David

    Hearing you anthony!

    You have David Ellis in your camp on radio.

    Of course Ellis maybe stoking the issue for ratings.

  25. Zion1971 Avatar
    Zion1971

    @ David. Nonsense. When PM Kamala “ATM” Bissessar sent aid to the Pakistani flood victims recently did she attached any conditionalities?I dont think so. The Governments of the OECS should speak with one voice on this issue and reject all so-called assistance from Trinidad. What audaucity! Trinidad is the only beneficiary of the CSME with billions of duty free goods imported by Caricom, so nobody is getting a free lunch. They owned half of BIM. How many Barbadian own company in Trinidad.Zilch!Caricom is their second largest export market …they need Caricom more than any othe the OECS islands . I was willing to overlook the ATM statement but, this time her statement is not only crass and backward but has a deep political and subtle racial undertone.

    On the Petro-Caribe deal you are grabbing after straw David. If Petrotrin had wanted the Caricom Business they could have out-negotiated venezeula…. like given us the same price as their nationals Nonetheless, Caricom still spend billions on refined products coming out of Trinidad. You must not forget Trinidad also import crude oil from venezuela but not under the Petro-caribe deal. Kamala must be careful with her big mouth because no man is an Island and you could have all the natural resource in the world but if no one is buying and their is no market you are doomed. A lot of Trinis dont share her sentiments. And lastly one of these fine days all those wells are going to run dry.

  26. David Avatar
    David

    @zion

    Ok,ok,ok

    To continue to defend Kamla ‘atm card/no free aid’ here is bordering on the ridiculous. She could have achieved her objective by keeping her clap shut and negotiating behind closed doors like the big boys do it.

  27. Negroman Avatar
    Negroman

    David & BU
    Trinidad sent aid to Pakistan Were special conditions attached to that aid? Trinidad assists Guyana & Suriname.Were special conditions attached to the assistance given to Guyana & Suriname ?
    Kamla Persaud Bissesar after she came into power scrapped the union arrangement that former Trinidad Prime Minister proposed with OECS countries of the region.Those countries included St Vincent & St Lucia.She has forge closer ties with Guyana & Suriname.David & BU What do you think of those changes?
    Kamla Persaud Bissesar id a typical Indian who only interest is to serve the Indians of this region.She is an Indo-Trinidadian piece of sh-t who by her utterances has litle or no regard for the Black People of this region.
    David & BU you can twist the issue and offered all type of excuses but Kamla Persaud Bissesar would not have made a statement like that if ST Vincent & St Lucia had a high percentage of Indians living in those countries.
    I am supporting the boycott of Trinidad products & services.When I travelled the region – at least 3 or 4 times a year,I usually travel on Caribbean Airlines -I have a freguent flyer card.In my future travels in this region,I will used LIAT where possible.I will also scrutinise the products my family buy from the supermarket and any product made in Trinidad I will not buy.
    It is insensitive what that wicked,racist piece of Indo-Trinidadian sh–t bag said.Our unfortunate Black Brothers & sisters in St Vincent & St Lucia are struggling & suffering as a result of Hurricane Tomas and that wretch of a human being is going to offer aid with strings attach.

  28. BDs Hot Sauce Avatar
    BDs Hot Sauce

    Tact is essential especially in the political arena, but sometimes tact may be taken lightly. I suppose the PM of Trinidad wants to get things straight from the get go. However, I whole heartedly agree that tact should be used and if in politics the art of being tactful can be so seductive that it would not be taken lightly but more like an irresistible offer of marriage.

    What makes her statements worse is that it is with regards to a situation that deals with the value of humanity and basic human needs. It is even hurtful that above all else life has been preserved and belittled in the same sentiment.

  29. Zion1971 Avatar
    Zion1971

    Right on point Negroman. Even Pandy with all his flaws and idosyncracies wouldnot have trod this path. As a matter of fact I have said this before that Trinidad is going to end up like a Ethnocentric state like Guyana.

  30. Global Voices in English » Trinidad & Tobago: PM’s Statement Causes Backlash

    […] contrast, Barbadian bloggers Barbados Free Press and Barbados Underground saw the statement for what it was, and thought that all the fallout was unnecessary. BFP even […]

  31. Trinidad & Tobago: PM’s Statement Causes Backlash :: Elites TV

    […] contrast, Barbadian bloggers Barbados Free Press and Barbados Underground saw the statement for what it was, and thought that all the fallout was unnecessary. BFP even […]

  32. Yardbroom Avatar
    Yardbroom

    Perhaps Kamla Persad-Bissessar should remember that the art of “positive” giving; is not to make the recipient feel inferior or beholden to you, however you perceive their status. . . this is even more critical between friendly countries.

  33. David Avatar
    David

    Perhaps Hamilton Lashley MP said it best, “shame on Trinidad for attempting to trade on the tragedy of a fellow Caricom” country.

  34. The Scout Avatar
    The Scout

    This petro-caribe deal and now Kamla’s statement proves to me that this Caricom/CSME arrangement is pure crap. It appears B’dos trying to tighten up on the influx of regionalist to the country was cruel yet when a country in dire need conditions are demanded. On the other hand some of these same countries turn their backs on the same T&T for a country outside of the CSME. While an amalgamation between the caribbean countries is a critical thing at this time, most of the regional leaders are not ready to give up POWER, therefore Caricom/CSME will continue to be a political football until a crisis really hits us, by then it might be too late.

  35. ac Avatar
    ac

    That woman is an insensitive political whore. She couldn’t even wait for the people to stop suffering before start shooting off the mouth in that way. With friends like these who needs enemies.

  36. islandgal246 Avatar
    islandgal246

    Kamala is new to politics, she will learn by her mistakes. I remember the old saying ……… one day dog will come back to eat its vomit.

  37. independent Avatar
    independent

    @ Negroman
    How does t&t assist Guyana and Suriname?????

  38. distasteful Avatar
    distasteful

    Was it not the same Jack Warner that said that Mrs. Persad-Bissessar was no different from Mr. Panday? In fact he said that if you replace Mr. Panday with Mrs. Persad-Bissessar it will be like “exchanging tweedle-dum for tweedle-dee”.

  39. J Avatar
    J

    David wrote “She could have achieved her objective by keeping her mouth shut and negotiating behind closed doors like the big boys [and girls] do it.

    Wise words David. Wise words.

  40. BAFBFP Avatar
    BAFBFP

    It is my profound and sincerest belief that …

    Dis David related to de Ellis fella pun de radia … haa ha, you see how he jus’ switch jus’ so ….? Man dis man could spin (pun a coin) like Ellis …

    It is my profound and sincerest belief that …

    Dis Davis should construck some kinda apology for all dem offensive remarks against de people who disagree wid he … (Exclude me, I’s get ignore as a trouble mekka)

  41. BAFBFP Avatar
    BAFBFP

    “That woman is an insensitive political whore.”

    AC Chill baby … ha ha ha .. tek it light baby …!

  42. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Trinidad is not immune from natural disasters? They could be hit by a Hurricane,Earthquake or Tsunami.

    I hope the Government and people of Barbados will treat our neighbours with respect and kindness.

    The St.Lucians and Vincentians need a lot of help

  43. ac Avatar
    ac

    Persad she be apologising to the people of the carribbean region for the comments she made . Can one imagine if the late PM had made such insensitive coments when others were in need of help. Somehow I don’t think i’ve heard the last of her virbage. Sooner or later she would be letting us know what she really thinkof the poor counties of the region. I think she is a ticking timebomb.We haven’t hear the last of her tirade.

  44. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    The only ‘problem’ with PM Kamla’s comments is that she is being honest. People like the Bush man who has long known how our Caricom “brothers and sisters” think would only be surprised at the open arrogance of the statement…. not the substance.

    The real dangerous Leaders are the ones that smile sweetly and speak flatteringly of their love and commitment….. while thinking and acting exactly as Kamla Persad said.
    Those are the ones who lured us into wasting millions of dollars pursuing a fantasy called CSME.
    If we had the benefit of Kamla’s honesty 15 years ago we could have saved millions, and spent valuable time and resources on meaningful development instead.

    …..oh wait, we did have the same honesty before, didn’t we? …..10 minus 1 = 0

  45. ac Avatar
    ac

    Oh! shut up bush tea. Honesty my as…s. What de hell does that kinda honesty have to do with helping people in time of need. Shut up Bush tea. I tink Tomas must have landed a brick on your head. As a leader she should have known better and save the socalled honesty at Caricom conference instead of heaping it on people who have just been wacked by Tomas . She is a loud mouth kneejerked politician .

  46. David Avatar
    David

    @Bush Tea

    Maybe he struggled a little in the ‘Discipline’ category.

  47. David Avatar
    David

    @BAFBFP

    People of Facebook would be well aware of David’s position on this matter.

  48. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @ ac
    You have the identical problem as Kamla (all women?)
    ….. speaking before understanding the real issue!
    …not a problem with the bushman however.

  49. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @ David (wrong blog :>) ?
    Maybe he struggled a little in the ‘Discipline’ category.

    …so what do you REALLY think that all those reshuffles were about?

  50. David Avatar
    David

    @Bush Tea

    Kamla indicated in the news tonight that at the diplomatic level she has detected no problem as far as reaction to her statement goes. There in lies the problem. What about the people?

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