Marli Street barriers removed

The barriers at Marli Street, erected to stop traffic passing the United States Embassy, were removed late yesterday, ending a year of controversy.

Local residents, including churchgoers to the All Saints Anglican Church had complained that the barriers hindered their access to Marli Street. The United States Embassy is thought to have been wary about its security in light of the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States, and subsequent bombings worldwide in countries as far apart as Indonesia (Bali) and Saudi Arabia. In an interview in Newsday in August last year, Embassy staff denied erecting the barriers, saying that it was the responsibility of the Government of the host country to protect diplomatic missions. US Ambassador Prof Roy Austin had then said the Embassy did not own Marli Street and that he was aware of residents’ concerns. Saying the Embassy employed 70 Trinidadians as compared to just 40 Americans, Austin had said the barriers served to protect everyone working at the Embassy and everyone visiting the Embassy daily.