Ria Taitt Political Editor

Public inconvenience will be kept at a reducible minimum during the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, Prime Minister Patrick Manning has promised.

In an address to the nation last evening, Manning said while some adjustments were necessary, ’these will be done with minimum dislocation to our normal daily lives during the time our guests will be present with us’.

’I give you the commitment that the Government will do all that is possible, practicable and permissible to minimise any inconvenience to our citizens,’ he said.

CHOGM is to be held here from November 27-29. Manning said 40 of the 51 active Heads of State and their delegations have confirmed their attendance thus far. Among those who will not attending is Gambia’s President, Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh, who has provoked controversy with his statement that he would kill anyone who seeks to destabilise his Government. Amidst calls from human rights groups to ban him from coming here, a release from the Minister of Foreign Affairs announced yesterday that Ousman Jammeh, Gambia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs/ International Cooperation, will now head the Gambian delegation.

Manning stressed the country’s image would be greatly enhanced by its hosting of international conferences.

’Our country will be even more than usual in the global spotlight. Every positive story of Trinidad and Tobago that emanates from this meeting will go a long way towards our international prominence, reinforcing our reputation as a progressive place where one can visit and do business … as we become more and more developed on a day-by-day basis,’ he said.

Manning confirmed that Prime Minister Lars Leokke Rasmussen, of Denmark, France President Nicolas Sarkozy, as well as Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki Moon, will be on official visits here to participate in the process. He explained that Commonwealth leaders will hold discussions, among other things, on the critical matter of climate change, mere days before a UN meeting next month in Copenhagen, Denmark on that same issue.

’We have the opportunity to positively influence its outcome. Indeed, Trinidad and Tobago is doing its utmost to advance the process that could result in a global agreement on this crucial matter … our country has been at the centre of almost frenzied activity among leading nations from both the developed and developing world, as we seek to ensure that we take the strongest possible position in preparation for the Copenhagen meeting,’ the Prime Minister stated.

The Prime Minister repeated the argument, made earlier this year when he sought to expound on the benefits of hosting the Fifth Summit of the Americas, that CHOGM would lead to increased investment.

’We feel certain that, among other benefits, as has happened in other countries that hosted the CHOGM, investment flows into our country will increase as a result of the meeting being held in Port of Spain. Indeed, we intend to capitalise on this unprecedented situation which will bring business leaders and investors from all over the globe to our country,’ he said.

He added that through the Commonwealth Business Forum alone, for example, 800 delegates will attend and use the opportunity to build business partnerships, create trade linkages and set up commercial ventures. He noted, however, that this CHOGM was of special importance because it was been held in the midst of a global economic slowdown. (Trinidad Express)