Kamla’s statement on US Ambassador ‘unfortunate’

Speaking at the post-Cabinet news conference at the Office of the Prime Minister in St Clair, Portof- Spain, Al-Rawi said the Opposition Leader’s utterances were a “continuation of her kind of diplomacy” as prime minister which saw this country described as “an ATM machine.” After indicating that Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has been doing extensive work in repairing damage done by Persad- Bissessar’s former administration to TT’s relations with its foreign partners, Al-Rawi said, “It critical to know that the USA has not given us an extension of time...

that we have requested one...we must wait to see if they will give us an extension of time.” The AG said it was unacceptable for Persad- Bissessar to say Government should have come earlier with the bill, when documentary evidence clearly shows that for two and half years, her administration did nothing to ensure TT was FATCA compliant.

He said contrary to the Opposition’s claims, the bill does not deal only with the US FATCA because there are 12 other FACTA arrangements with other countries which TT must put in place.

On the adjournment of the bill in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Al-Rawi pointed out that Persad-Bissessar “did not lift the whip” to allow other Opposition MPs to disagree with her on the bill if they wanted and this was confirmed by Caroni Central MP Dr Bhoe Tewarie’s subsequent contribution.

Explaining that Government and the Opposition are guided by their respective whips in Parliament, Al-Rawi said, “Unless the whip is lifted, you can’t disagree with your leader. The leader had spoken already.

What was there to discuss?” As prime minister, Persad-Bissessar lifted the whip during debate on the controversial Runoff Bill in Parliament.

Then government MPs Winston Dookeran and Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan voted against that bill.