Dispute over Nelson Mandela’s visit resolved

The dispute between Government and CONCACAF over the visit by former South African president Nelson Mandela has been resolved. Prime Minister Patrick Manning confirmed this yesterday, saying Government was not trying to create problems or make an issue out of the visit. Mandela is expected to arrive in TT on April 29 to May 1. In a statement in the House of Representatives, Manning said he was pleased to announce that “the issue of difference between Government and CONCACAF on the visit of Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu has now been satisfactorily and amicably resolved.”

To “oohs” from the Opposition UNC, Manning added that the “way is now cleared for the anticipated successful visit.” He said the visit will be “an official one befitting the gentlemen and the programme will be announced shortly.” Manning said the age and health of Mandela will be taken into account and every effort will be made to expose his presence to the largest number of people. Earlier yesterday, Manning told reporters Government had written to Mandela inviting him on an official visit to TT. Manning said a letter was also sent to South Africa president Thabo Mbeki informing him of the invitation to Mandela, and asked that president Mbeki “be kind enough to influence the acceptance.” Manning said Government had not yet received a response from the president. The details of the visit were to have been worked out yesterday morning when a Government team met a CONCACAF team.

Manning assured that Government was not “looking to create any problems or to make an issue out of Mr Mandela or Archbishop Tutu’s visit, but we are seeking to ensure that Trinidad and Tobago is not embarrassed in all of this, and in fact we step up to the plate and make our citizens proud.”  He said there was a “high level of tolerance and understanding” prevailing in the circumstances. Asked if CONCACAF “had given way,” Manning said “CONCACAF has agreed it should be done this way. It’s not about giving way, we have now agreed.”

He refused to say who would now meet Mandela on arrival at Piarco airport, or whether there would be a children’s rally, insisting that details of the two-day visit would be released shortly. Manning said that while Mandela and Tutu would be lobbying CONCACAF for support to host the 2010 World Cup, they would be here “at the behest of the South African government.” Prior to the Prime Minister’s statement in the House yesterday, Opposition MP for Oropouche Roodal Moonilal attempted to raise the matter as one of a definite matter of urgent and public importance. However, the motion was denied by Speaker Barry Sinanan.