$32M to upkeep CG planes

MINISTER of National Security Martin Joseph is asking Cabinet for $32 million to maintain two aircraft of the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard,  donated by the United States in 1999. The planes were for use in the United States’ anti-narcotics strategy for the Caribbean, said Joseph. “The aircraft are designed for passenger transportation of up to 19 persons and can be configured to accommodate aerial maritime surveillance equipment.” TT Coast Guard personnel received extensive training in the United States.

“Agreement was reached that the maintenance of the aircraft was to be the responsibility of the government of the United States from September 2001.” The two governments contracted to finance the purchase of US$5 million in surveillance equipment for the two craft from Provincial Aviation Maintenance Services Incorporated of Canada. The equipment was installed respectively in August 2001 and March 2002. However, Joseph said US Ambassador Dr Roy Austin sent him a letter dated March 24 2005 saying the US government would no longer fund the upkeep of the two aircraft.

“The (US) government had decided to cease funding of the programme at the end of May 2005, and that at June 1 2005, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago will now have full responsibility for the maintenance of these two C-26 (aircraft). “It was in that context that Cabinet was approached to provide the sum of $32,365,405 for the upgrade and maintenance of the two aircraft, with an expenditure of $12,695,122 for the rest of the fiscal year.” Although Joseph didn’t explicitly say so, the cessation of funding by the US government is thought to be due to its vow to stop military funding to any country which refused to support its exemption of US military forces from the remit of the International Criminal Court.