TT learns from USA

During a commemoration ceremony for the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, at the National Academy for Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port-of-Spain, Foreign Affairs and Communications Minister Dr Suruj Rambachan said this country has been mindful of the threat of terror and has since put legislation in place to protect the stability of the country.

“We have enacted an Anti-Terrorism Act which criminalises terrorist activities and provides prevention, prosecution, conviction and punishment of terrorist activities. In 2011, the Government enacted the Anti-Terrorism Amendment Act and the Financial Intelligence Unit to establish the necessary institutions and infrastructure to restrict the movement of funds for the financing of terrorism and terrorist activities,” he said.

Rambachan said although the tragedy occurred in the World Trade Centre towers in New York, the inventory of victims was almost universal as 14 Trinidad and Tobago nationals lost their lives as well.

TT’s dead from the 9/11 tragedy include Conrod Cottoy, Reena Sam Dinoo, Joan Francis, Winston Grant, Clara Hinds, Stephen Joseph, Glen Neblett, Jerome Nedd, Oscar Nesbeit, Anthony Portillo, Vishnoo Ramsaroop, Goumatie Thackurdeen, Paula Morales, Dave Francois, Boyie Mohammed

“We remember those who fell victim to acts of terrorism, it forces us to continue to work towards the eradication of terrorism, crime and security in all of its aspects to ensure a tragedy like this would never reoccur in our world,” Rambachan said.

After the ceremony, those in attendance including family members of those who died assembled on the steps at the southern entrance academy and released several white balloons in the sky in memory of those lost.

Family members remembered their loved ones as loving, caring human beings who are still missed. Siblings of system analyst at AON Insurance Paula Morales said they still miss their sister but they were being strong. In attendance were several ministers including Health Minister Fuad Khan, Legal Affairs Minister, Prakash Ramadhar, Trade and Industry Minister Stephen Cadiz. House Speaker, Wade Mark, Commissioner of Police Dwayne Gibbs and Opposition MPs Donna Cox and Paula Gopee-Scoon.