Young: No OAS fallout for TT

Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young made this point clear at yesterday’s post-Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s. Addressing a news conference at Piarco International Airport on Wednesday upon his return from Chile, Rowley condemned “the derogatory manner” in which Almagro dealt with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro with respect to the ongoing tensions in Venezuela.

Asked whether Rowley’s position would jeopardise TT’s relations with other OAS member states, Young replied, “Absolutely not. TT has been very, very cautious and very calculated and very definitive in its position at the OAS with respect to Venezuela.” He said Rowley simply indicated, “that the opportunity for the OAS to have intervened and mediated in the Venezuela situation was lost by a very unnecessary aggressive stance, taken by a public servant who became the Secretary- General of the OAS.” He stressed TT was within its right to put this position forward.

“Our participation at the OAS on this matter continues. We continue to maintain our standard which is we will not allow there to be the railroading of any democratically- elected government and in particular our closest neighbour,” Young said. He added, TT continues to be involved in the sideline discussions, hoping that good sense will prevail with respect to this matter.

Young said TT-Venezuela energy discussions are progressing very well and Venezuelan Energy minister Nelson Martinez could be in TT for talks within the next two weeks.

He said even if there were no energy talks “on the table,” the position taken by Rowley is reflective of the supportive relationship between TT and Venezuela over the years.