Better a friend than an enemy

THE EDITOR: Don’t know if my good friend Malcolm “Milli” Jones would mind if I related a certain story. If he does, I crave his forgiveness. It’s just that what’s happening now with the marrish and the parrish washing dey mout’ on him reminds me so much of that indelible experience.

It was 1973 or 1974, and I was, in-between Ashford Sinanan’s departure and Solo Lutchman’s arrival, Trinidad and Tobago’s Acting High Commissioner in New Delhi. Milli, whom I had previously met through our common friend, Felix “Cabs” Alcindor, as a senior official looking after the interests of the government and people of our country in our foreigner-dominated oil sector, was in Delhi on official business. After a hard morning’s work, I took him to one of the capital’s best restaurant for lunch. As we stood waiting to be seated, two white American women of late middle age and considerable girth entered. Having surveyed the scene for a moment, one of them approached Milli and me, the only two Afros for miles around as we stood talking intelligently, turned to Milli and blurted: “Are you the head waiter, Sir,?” I am happy to recall than when our consternation had dissipated, we resumed our conversation in a quietly dignified manner.

There followed, I seem to recall, a mumbling apology to which we paid no attention. So I am not at all surprised at the manner in which Mr Jones is handling his current national malignment. A former Prime Minister, when asked why he had appointed a friend Minister, enquired whether he should rather appoint an enemy. I don’t recall that there was a reply. Prime Minister Manning (and Trinidad and Tobago) should be happy that Milli is his friend. Otherwise, why should a man who has served his country so faithfully for so many years in such a key sector return after the government of our country had unceremoniously kicked him out — and to a pay-cut at that?

Man gimme a chance!!
HORACE  BROOMES
Port-of-Spain