Manning satisfied about talks with Bush and Rice

Prime Minister Patrick Manning yesterday expressed satisfaction on  the outcome of the discussions with US President George W Bush and his National Security Advisor Dr Condoleeza Rice, which took place on Monday afternoon at the White House. “It is a clear statement that the US Government is desirous of maintaining good relations with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago,” Govern-ment sources stated. According to sources, Manning was five minutes into the meeting with Rice when Bush walked in. Rice then rose from her seat and Bush took her chair and began conducting the meeting. It was an apparent reversal of the trend of meeting Caricom leaders as a group, rather than on an individual basis.

Government officials were elated yesterday over what they saw as a “major diplomatic coup.” Although Rice wields significant influence and is a major figure in the Bush administration, “so  speaking to her gives one an indirect access to the President,” the meeting with Bush himself was the clearest indication that the relationship between the two countries is based on mutual respect, sources noted. Sources close to the TT delegation said Government officials had worked tirelessly on all fronts to make this meeting a reality.  These “fronts” included discussions with the US Ambassador and with American companies with significant investments in Trinidad and Tobago. Trinidad and Tobago is a major supplier of LNG to the US and Manning has stated repeatedly that the Trinidad and Tobago Government recognises the importance of making that supply as secure as possible. Sources said Manning was therefore  not entirely surprised that the unscheduled meeting came off. Trinidad and Tobago has however taken positions that are in conflict with the stance of the US, the most recent example being some policy differences between the two countries.”

The Bush meeting signifies  that the US Government understands that positions adopted by Trinidad and Tobago are based on principle, and not on any hostility to the United States,” a  Government source said. They added that the Bush/ Manning/Rice meeting dispels “uninformed speculation” in the media about bad blood between the two countries and suggestions that the Prime Minister was getting the cold-shoulder. “I don’t think that the Trinidad and Tobago media understands how much Washington monitors what is printed here, especially on Trinidad and Tobago/US relations,” one Government source said. Manning returns home on Friday evening.