’Twas a coup for the people of TT

THE EDITOR: Mr Austin Jack Warner must be recognised as a true patriot of Trinidad and Tobago after an analysis of the recent historic visit of former South African President and living legend Nelson Mandela. President Mandela’s visit to the Caribbean was one essentially to garner support for South Africa’s bid to host the World Cup. That really only meant that President Mandela was to visit Grenada for the CONCACAF meeting.

Despite this singular mission Austin Jack Warner managed to convince President Mandela to visit Trinidad and Tobago. Warner, from public statements, revealed that he over the years had met Mr Mandela on several occasions, therefore the visit to Trinidad and Tobago cannot be seen as a visit for Warner to meet Mr Mandela. Yet Jack Warner managed to convince Mr Mandela and his no doubt protective Foundation that the former President should visit Trinidad and Tobago and thereby afford all nationals to meet this living legend. Given Mr Mandela’s very obvious frail and fragile health this detour from his scheduled visit to Grenada has to be considered as a real coup for the people of Trinidad and Tobago. This implication only becomes meaningful when it is understood that this visit may indeed be Mr Mandela’s last overseas visit.

Mr Warner’s public statement of appreciation of the efforts of Prime Minister Patrick Manning and his government to make the visit what it was also highlights the fact that there was absolutely no politics being played out in this event by the Warner camp. For making this visit of Mr Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu possible, Jack Warner should be  given some sort of national recognition.

PARSURAM MAHARAJ
Executive Member
Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha