Grenada’s PM denies rift with Manning

According to a report in Grenada Today, Dr Mitchell told a recent sitting of the Grenada House of Representatives that his friendship with his TT counterpart is "solid."

Dr Mitchell also told Grenada’s Parliament that there is no need to worry about the Petrocaribe deal since the decision made by Grenada has not affected the relationship with Trinidad and Tobago. He pointed out that if a problem had existed, Grenada would not have been able to secure a soft loan of US$68.5 million for private sector development from Trinidad and Tobago. The loan, which has a pay back period of 25 years, was provided at a rate of two percent interest with a moratorium of five years.

Some political observers believe Grenada’s decision to join other Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries in a pact to purchase oil and gas from Venezuela at a cheaper cost is a slap in the face to the Manning administration after this country’s assistance in the aftermath of last September’s destruction caused by Hurricane Ivan. The Trinidad and Tobago leader took a swipe at some of the leaders at the Caricom summit in Castries, St Lucia, last month saying their actions will hurt the economy of his country. According to Manning, the countries which signed the Petrocaribe deal had benefitted financially from the sale of oil by his country.

Trinidadians played a key role in the restoration of law and order in Grenada after Ivan. Manning dispatched about 200 soldiers to the island to take charge of security. In addition, thousands of dollars worth of relief supplies were shipped from the TT as well as other direct financial and other support given to Grenadian statutory bodies by their counterparts in Trinidad.

The Manning-led People’s National Movement (PNM) administration donated $1 million in emergency aid to Grenada and joined with the rest of Caricom in paying the salaries of public servants in Grenada in the aftermath of the hurricane. Hundreds of workers attached to the Community Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme (CEPEP) were sent to St George’s by the Manning administration to help clear debris in drains and on the side of the roads left over from Ivan.

Hours after the hurricane struck, Manning flew to Grenada by helicopter in search of the Grenadian leader.