Although the 'Summit' appears to have resulted in very little being immediately accomplished, despite the outrageous expense and personal sacrifice incured by Trinidadians through the sponsoring of this event, we should be aware that this is not unusual as summits goes, as much is accomplished after the fact. However, as a Trinidadian residing in the USA, I felt very proud every time Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, was mentioned on the various television channels an newspapers. Maybe I am being selfish, but it sure felt good to be a 'Trini'

Ah wonder how Manning going to explain this, maybe he will say it is not true and the writer better beware

Once again our country was placed in the spotlight, not to the approval of many and once again our Prime Minister has put us to shame. Despite all the rushed preparations which anyone could see would not have been completed, our government sought to spend millions upon millions of our precious reserves on trying to impress the world. As could be seen on international media, no one believes that there was any professionalism shown. Summit has gone. Now what? How many more must face the breadline? There are only so many roadsides to clean. CEPEPP is already overstaffed. What have you left for the people of your country Mr. Manning? A half completed burm stained by the blood of your people. Wake up, it is time for you to tighten your belt! I await to see the glorious benefits of this lovely Summit.

I quote from the Express -
"Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez yesterday joined the voices praising the outcome of the Fifth Summit of the Americas, labelling the Port of Spain event "a total success."
Someone certainly has an axe to grind! Clearly no research for comparison has been done for the usual protocols when it comes to signing any Declaration for these meetings. Also look at who signs at CARICOM meetings (if at all they do) and whether they ever implement what is agreed as signed.

The news on Canadian TV and on the US networks is about how great the Summit was, especially compared to the last one--which was a debacle because of a clash between Chavez and Bush. The Caribbean leaders are being praised as skillful intermediaries between the U.S. and the left wing governments in Venezuela, Nicaragua and Ecuador. But Trinis are not satisfied, and all you like to do is ask about how much aid you got from Obama and how much Manning has wasted. As usual, West Indians are incapable of honoring their own.

As a previous commentator said someone obviously has an act to grind.
It is reporting as this that places the press in disrepute and why I am very wary of accepting what the press reports. When Hugo Chavez, a man noted for being outspoken can say that this was the most successful summit he has attended, I wonder what is the agenda of this reporter.
I have often expressed the view that the some of our local reporting is the most striking indictment of the quality of our education system.

The President of the United States said the Summit was a success. Why can't you naysayers keep your negatism to yourself? This is about country not politics. What, you think there is no poverty in the US or any of the other countries that were in the Summit. I commend Mr. Manning and everyone that was involved in putting the Summit together. I am proud of my country and to the naysayers get a life.

The summit has come and gone but the infrastructure required to host it, is paid for and still remain and will be useful to Trinidad. Because Trinidad pulled off this summit, I believe the country could now go out and attract large conventions which are job creating and money making. Bravo Trinidad !!
Ricky

I will admit after everything I read and saw that this headline and artcle threw me for a loop. Since I not sure exactly what 'in shambles' means I will ask one question and make a couple comments.

If this summit was held in another country, say the USA and an American security official got into confrontations with a security person from another country's delegation, if the press mobbed one of the heads of state, if there was no agreement among the delegates so no declaration was signed at the end of the summit except by the American leader, if there was bacchanal during the accreditation process, would the reporter have described it as 'summit in shambles'?

I give no credence to anonymous sources used to bolster an argument as that smacks of 'children in containers' reporting. Why not get the names of those delegates and foreign reporters who said the summit 'was a mess' and use them in the article?

Nothing but bacchanalian reporting that at its worst is self hate and at its best does nothing but reinforces the opinion of those who find absolutely nothing about T&T of which to be proud. Why they tend to be Trinis I don't know.

The things with which I think valid arguments can be made are: the cost; the accreditation dotishness; the actions by the police in St. James and the failure to have the group picture at the end of the summit.

I have read people complaining that the police should have allowed protesters and that in Europe the English police had 'allowed' protesters at the G20 conference. Where do these people get their news? There were criminal acts committed during the English demonstrations and an English cop is under investigation in the death of an innocent man caught up in the demonstation.

By the way, I hope the Special Branch officer kicked the Argentine's behind. Both times.

Shouldn't there have been a level of consensus before everyone came together to sign the document? That is a main feature of the whole exercise. Even when leaders have signed in the past they have not held true to their word. It's much worse now that they have not signed at all... It was still a good handshaking exercise. but a truly expensive one.

First, let me congratulate T&T for a safe summit but I also feel that the reporting left much to be desired ..very little was mentioned of the country, Pres. Obama was shown was a little skyline behind him, with the reporter based in Washington..and one US TV station misspelt Trinidad!! So....not much to be proud of however, I have to say the Spanish TV stations did a much nicer job.

The Trinidad Guardian has lost all its credability. There was a reporter from this newspaper who was standing right next to me, when evo morales the president of bolivia came out, one of their reporters asked me if that was Hugo Chavez of Venezuela. What a pile of nonesense does this newspaper have anyone that can do their job properly, i was shocked that i had to correct them.

On the other note. the summit was not a shambles i reported on the summit alongside the world media and the overall conclusion was not that wed all felt it ended up in a mess. This is a clear attempt to cause division in our country, why don't you ever report the truth for once in your life. I urge all readers of the guardian to not give them the benefit of the doubt, because for too long thay have been telling you lies and not doing their job properly.

before they went and printed this blatant lie that thew reporters felt it ended in a mess, maybe they should try reading their reports, looking at international news and paying attention to detail. but you guys do not pay attention, you knew absolutely nothing and the standard of reporting in general was so poor it was embarrasing. Newsday did a better job of reporting, they actually stood by fact and did not bother to make up any stories.

Just remember your paper and organisation gets more respect, when it engages in honesty and intevgrity. Just remember that, the Guardian sucks!!!! BIG TIME & Francis Joseph the write of this article should be ashamed of himself
A place where ordinary citizens have a voice! http://speakouttnt.com/

The fact is that 34 World leaders came together in sweet TNT and they discussed many things including having constructive dialogue with Cuba and forging a New Beginning. Mr. Manning should be congratulated because he like Dr. William is always putting TNT in a positive spotlight. He did not steal the money and put it in his foreign bank account. This is money well spent, because the seeds that were sowed over the weekend will bear bountiful fruits.

Francis Joseph need to appreciate the efforts made by Prime Minister Manning and report the facts, because hosting a meeting of this magnitude is not an easy task and several world leader stated that the meeting was a success.

Only those who have travelled and spent time abroad will value their country, our people complain about every thing, but they will never get the fact that the world out there only glitters, our people are wonderful compared to the rest, and what ever negative we have at home in our country it is much worse out there.
Mr Manning made an effort that should be rewarded, other third world countries could never accomplish what our country in terms of education and skills, in terms of survival on the whole has done, and one thing must be rewarded about our people is because of our trials and tribulations at home we can survive antwhere.
So stop complaining and see the positve, because you never miss the water till the well run dry.

All I would like to know is, what are the benefits we can expect from this Summit and when?

Mr.Manning also promised that "deals will be made at the Summit that will benefit us." What deals were made that will benefit us?

I won't hold my breath though.

We were made similar promises for the Ms.Universe and our foray into the world cup, what did those events, which were both bigger than the Fifth Summit do for us?

Instead of ranting and raving here, lets discuss things rationally and realistically.

Have a look at the link below describing what we were promised from the world cup, you be the judge now.

http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=33782

Hold on one second. I attended the summit and am also emphasizing the sheer lack of knowledge these reporters have, its almost as though they have no idea whats going on. Its the fault of their own because they do not investigate.. but then again its people like yourself who stand poor abhorrent journalism, you like that don't you.. oh yeah i forgot.. well as far as i am concerned i want to read a newspaper that is committed to balance, honesty and integrity. everything must be analyzed fairly.