Suruj: T&T PM had no spa time in Brazil

(Trinidad Express) Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar did not visit any health spa when she went to Brazil in April but engaged in a number of meetings, including one with officials of oil company Petrobas which encouraged them to do business with this country, says Minister of Communications and Foreign Affairs Suruj Rambachan.

Rambachan made the statement yesterday in response to a question on the Parliament’s order paper from Opposition MP Paula Gopee-Scoon.

Gopee-Scoon asked the minister to state the dates, times and places of all official duties conducted by the Prime Minister on her trip to Brazil this year.

Rambachan provided a list of the people Persad-Bissessar met and the meetings and functions she attended.

In doing so, he said to former prime minister Patrick Manning: “And for the benefit of the member of San Fernando East she didn’t go when she went there to any spa and spend her time there at a spa.”

Rambachan’s comments were followed by loud thumping of desks from the government benches.

Opposition Chief whip Marlene McDonald shot to her feet and quoted a standing order saying that Rambachan was imputing improper motives.

“Unbecoming!” Manning snapped.

House Speaker Wade Mark cautioned that when a member was responding to a question, even if provoked, he or she must not engage in cross-talk.

Rambachan said because of the Prime Minister’s meeting with officials of Petrobas that company will be sending representatives to this country later this month for meetings with Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine.

“You will be interested to know that the meeting with the Prime Minister caused them to restore their faith in doing business with Trinidad and Tobago,” said Rambachan.

He said when the Prime Minister travels, she takes the opportunity to hold bilateral talks as well.

Rambachan said Persad-Bissessar attended a ceremony where she unveiled a plaque as lands were gifted to this Government by the Brazilian government to establish an embassy there.

She visited staff of the Trinidad and Tobago Embassy in Brazil.

He said Persad-Bissessar held meetings with the Minister of External relations in Brazil, representatives of the OAS, officials of ArcelorMittal and former British prime minister Tony Blair.

He said she attended a reception for Caricom ambassadors and met with officials of Embrapa, Brazil’s agricultural research corporation.

The Prime Minister also went to Rio de Janeiro where she participated in the World Economic Forum in a round table discussion on education.

Rambachan said the Prime Minister also attended a luncheon on women’s empowerment.