Will Chavez connection put us in trouble?

THE EDITOR: Some months ago, with trepidation and a sense of impending international relations conflict, I read the news of a proposal to construct a Trinidad and Tobago to Guadeloupe Caribbean gas pipeline. Good, I thought, except for certain likely international relations ‘stop-corks.’ Moments later, in my kitchen (the hub of workday morning activity in my home), I was discussing with my wife and adult children the implications of such a move for Trinidad and Tobago’s relations with (i) other West Indian nation islands, (ii) the United States of America and (iii) Venezuela. I was convinced then (and I remain unmoved in that view) that a rocky international relations road was suddenly spread out before the people of Trinidad and Tobago. One only has to acknowledge the vastly differing degrees of power-broking capacity and world influence wielded by each of the countries that I’ve named, as well as mull over recent diplomatic manoeuvrings, to foresee interesting times ahead.

The USA had lauded the idea (and had even suggested that the pipeline could extend to Florida!) Prior to the Venezuelan government’s positioning of itself to be a part of the venture. Marry that truth to the then extant and continuing alliance postures and the inevitability of nightmarish international relations condrum in our near future pierces my imagination. The “postures” to which I refer include (but are not exclusive to) the USA’s stance in the just past (?) Venezuelan internal unrest; Venezuela/Cuba ties; USA/Cuba (non-) ties; increased interaction between Trinidad and Tobago and Cuba; Trinidad and Tobago’s direct and deliberate energy aid to Venezuela some months ago and the awkward unilateral-ism still enveloping International Criminal Court issues. Stage set?! So....open Act 1. Venezuelan’s President Chavez and Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Manning have met and agreements are being signed.

Somebody’s move next! How may we expect the USA to respond to a pipeline ever full of Venez-uela/Trinidad and Tobago’s gas going to ...where? What, if any are the implications of a Trinidad and Tobago/Venezuela partnership for already existing agreements between Trinidad and Tobago and oil/gas multinationals in which the United States of America has vested interests? Will Trinidad and Tobago’s ‘sovereignty’ be compromised? What varied cultural impacts will ensue and are we, as a people being prepared systematically for it all through information sharing and nation-wide consultation? Or are the relevant issues, in fact, not significant enough to warrant serious concerns about anything at all? While we await the next move, not knowing from whence it will come or what form it will take, perhaps the competent authority can arrange to publicise details of those agreements. Doing so will not diminish the shocking feelings I experienced upon having the news of such a meaningful ‘treaty’ (or set of treaties) spring out at me Stephen King-like from the political ether. However, knowledge of what has been agreed will allow me to better prepare my significant others and myself for whatever lies ahead. Father be with us.

ALDEN FRIDAY
Palmiste