Bacchanal in Cedros

YESTERDAY’s much touted meeting between Cedros fisherfolk (who have been under siege from pirates) and a high-powered team comprising Government Ministers and National Security officials, descended into chaos when a group of  about 40 fishermen were locked out of the Coast Guard base in Cedros, while a handful of persons met behind closed doors with the Ministers. National Security Minister Martin Joseph, Foreign Affairs Minister Knowlson Gift and MP for Pt Fortin Larry Achong (who also represents the Cedros community) made up the ministerial team, while Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Brigadier Ancil Antoine led the National Security officials which also included Coast Guard Commander Captain Garnett Best, on yesterday’s tour.

The tour came on the heels of two unrelated incidents which occurred within the past two weeks in which two fishermen were killed by pirates while fishing. One of the victims drowned after being forced to jump into the sea by the pirates, while the other was shot in the chest at point blank range. Angry fishermen told Newsday they had previously been advised that they would meet with the team of Government officials at the Community Centre, but at the last minute only a handful of persons were able to meet with the Ministers inside the Coast Guard base. The fishermen also claimed that the persons who met with the Ministers did not represent the broader community of Cedros and environs, and they were hand-picked by the Ministerial team prior to yesterday’s visit. Following the closed door meeting, the Ministers shied away from media questions on the fishermen being barred from the meeting and instead chose to state how cordial and fruitful the meeting was. National Security Minister Martin Joseph said the ministers met with the leader of the Icacos Fishermen Association and that discussions were “very frank but cordial.”

During a brief press conference, all of the PNM members spoke to the media except Achong who stood in the background speaking to his constituents. After the press briefing, Achong said he did not want to divulge much on the meeting. All he said was, “It was cordial.” Foreign Affairs Minister Knowlson Gift said the issue of piracy on the high seas could have direct implications on the cordial bilateral relationship this country enjoys with neighbouring Venezuela. Gift said Government was working to resolve the security issue affecting the fishermen. CDS Brigadier Antoine said there was a comprehensive plan to secure the security of the country and its maritime borders. Security features include coastal radar, aircraft surveillance, vessel surveillance and land surveillance. However, Brigadier Antoine said some of the assets were not yet available and it was now in the hands of Government to procure the radar equipment. Head of the Coast Guard, Captain Garnett Best, also called on fishermen to inform the Coast Guard based in Cedros of their logistics whenever they go out to fish and to also go out to sea with a full charged cellular phone. He also hinted at bringing back a training programme for fishermen regarding safety on the high seas.