PM SLAMS TERROR EXPERT

Those countries are Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Libya, and Somalia. The ban also includes citizens from those countries who have dual American citizenship.

In a statement, Rowley declared, “Mr Nance’s broad and simplistic statement is not supported by fact and ignores the robust and substantial national security cooperative partnership between TT and the United States.” Rowley, who is chairman of the National Security Council (NSC) and holds the security portfolio in Caricom’s quasi-Cabinet, further declared, “TT’s unshakeable commitment to combatting terrorism and religious extremism in all its forms, cannot be called into question.” We will continue to work with our partners in the international community, particularly the United States, our major trading partner, until this threat to world order and security is addressed, he added. Rowley explained it is against this background that he participated in the high level regional security conference of Caricom and the US which took place in Washington DC in May.

He also said that in October, TT hosted the 12th Conference of Defence Ministers of the Americas which brought together defence leaders of nearly all nations in the Western Hemisphere, “including the US Defense Secretary.” Rowley said that on September 21, TT became the first Caricom nation to sign the Customs Mutual Administrative Agreement (CMAA) with the US, “further expanding our two nations’ bilateral security relationship.” The Prime Minister also said, “Furthermore, in September of 2016, the TT Defence Force, the TT Police Service and the United States Southern Command participated in Joint Combined Exchange Training to bolster our mutual capabilities as partners to conduct security operations.” He reiterated that Government will continue to focus on strengthening its, “long-standing relationship with the United States, while fostering a dialogue which promotes increased economic, cultural and national security collaboration for the benefit of both our nations.” In a separate statement, the National Security Ministry said while TT is currently experiencing challenges with some of its nationals being linked to terrorist groups internationally, this country, “takes the fight against global terrorism seriously and is continuously taking all necessary measures to combat the threat. “ The ministry said it is working closely with the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs, which has established an Anti-Terrorism Desk. Among other things, that desk is examining legislative amendments required to the Anti-Terrorism Act.

“Further our courts, based on applications made by the Attorney General, have listed over 300 individuals or entities and their associates which were designated as terrorist entities by the Security Council of the United Nations,” the ministry said.

In his comments on an MSNBC programme last Saturday, Nance said, “We (the United States) have not banned terrorists from Brazil. ISIS has dozens of members from Brazil or Trinidad or the Bahamas who have more terrorist members than any of those other countries.”