Gift not worried about neo-Nazis

“There is no reason why a particular advisory should be issued,” he said, in explaining why no arrangements have been made by government to ensure protection of the 3,000-odd citizens going to Germany. Gift was at the time, answering questions at a post-Cabinet conference at White Hall. “It would be fair to say no special arrangements were requested by Trinidad and Tobago nationals who are planning to go to the World Cup series in Germany. I suppose this is because it would be easier for potential travellers to coordinate and make their own arrangements in that connection,” Gift said.

Pressed further for comment in the event that something did happen to a citizen of this country, Gift would only say: “well, we do not have a diplomatic presence in Germany, what we do have are honorary consuls who are located in three or four of the major cities in Germany.”

Commenting on the national cultural contingent and why government was not responsible for them, Gift said: “there is a national contingent going up but that is like a mission going out for a particular purpose. They are not going to the football so to speak. And as a Cabinet delegation, one would imagine there are a certain amount of responsibilities the State must assume in that area.”

He added: “but it is really a promotional delegation to showcase and market the potential of TT. That is quite separate and different from people going there on their private businesses to witness the football games.”

Told that the contingent is scheduled to perform in areas that are some of the primary targets of white supremacists in Germany, Gift said: “security for the games is a matter for the hosts or state government and participating countries are really not in a position to send massive contingents of soldiers or policemen to guard their citizens.

“We have been reassured that the security is absolutely intelligible so there should really be no real concern as to the safety of the participating athletes, the players and spectators.”

Asked whether there wasn’t some responsibility on the part of government to have a presence there in order to assist nationals in the event of an emergency, Gift said: “we don’t have a resident embassy or mission in Germany so physically, that kind of protection is virtually impossible.”