US businessmen protected from kidnappers

AMERICAN BUSINESSMEN in Trinidad and Tobago have been fully briefed on kidnappings and are taking all the necessary security precautions.

This was the word yesterday from Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy, Albert Nahas, when he addressed a news conference at the US Information Research Center. Nahas told reporters that all American and American-affliated companies doing business in TT are members of the Embassy’s Overseas Supervisory Committee which briefs them on any potential threats to their security, and American businessmen in TT are “security conscious.”

The diplomat said that despite the crime situation in the country, the US Government still believes TT provides a good climate for investment in several areas of the economy. He noted that after Canada, TT has the second largest per capita investment of American funds in the Western Hemisphere. Asked if the US Embassy was providing information to Government regarding the FW Oil- Trinmar/Soldado affair, Nahas said there has been an exchange of information but he could not discuss ongoing matters under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty between the US and TT.

US Ambassador Roy Austin slammed certain sections of the media for leading the population to believe the US and TT “were at each other’s throats” over the issue of withdrawal of American military aid to this country and the International Criminal Court. “You (media) should be peacemakers and not take positions that make life more difficult for people,” Austin stated.