President calls for increased international involvement

Richards was speaking at the Defence Force Ceremonial Parade which marked the 44th Anniversary of the formation of the force. The parade involved the handing over of office from former Chief of Defence Staff Ancil Antoine to new appointee Edmund Dillon. The event, which took place at the Chaguaramas Heliport, was attended by Tobago House of Assembly Secretary Orville London, Minister of National Security Martin Joseph and Senator John Jeremie among others.

“Our nation is not on the periphery looking on as a spectator from the stands as the game is being played in the arena,” said Richards, referring to the appointment of the outgoing Antoine to the newly formed post of Director General of the Inter-American Defence Board.

The board was established by the Organisation of American States for the purpose of dealing with regional security issues.

Richards went on to point out that incidents such as the recent terrorist threat in the UK and the Middle-East conflict, saying that incidents such as these have a significant impact on the nation. He implored citizens to work toward involvement in such international affairs as stakeholders in the nation’s well-being.