Its great to see the PM put his weight behind something.

But is this all just for 15 minutes in the sun with the Queen and other world leaders?
Is this just another "facebook" moment for the PM and his cabinet?

I would love to see the PM, or anyone in authority, put their weight behind this burning issue of crime in our beloved country.

Only recently, Mr Dulal-Whiteway of Republic Bank, in his feature presentation to the Youth Link graduates, broke protocol and spoke passionately about the volume of murders within the last 4 years. His views reflect the views of the entire population of T&T.

http://dsaltsman.blogspot.com/

British High Commissioner, Sir, you are a 'DIOPLOMAT' and must be diplomatic in your commentary. I admire that.

You expressed faith in Mr. Manning being able to complete this project in time. Good for you.

You say that the "escalating crime situation" is "not a matter of huge concern" and its effects on the CHOGM. So are we to assume that is indeed of concern, just not a "huge concern".

Climate change and the Reform of Commonwealth are high on the agenda. But when it comes to climate change, our P.M. is lost at sea without a paddle to row to safety. Top of his agenda is this smelter plant he has a 'fetish' for, that would spew out more toxins that a little country like our can handle. And our list of concerns that work against progression in its fight against climate change that is being undertaken by this gov't, go on .. on .. Our cries are being ignored! When our P.M. is finished, this country will look like China in the days running up to the Olympics - unable to breath and see through the pollution - everything had to be closed - to keep the pollution down, etc.

You say your emphasis is to make the Commonwealth countries work on reform to meke it more relevant for the younger generation. Good to hear that someone is thinking about those 'innocent little ones' coming after us; because our P.M. has no place in his Master Plan for them.

Gardenia

The British High Commissioner, like so many other diplomats posted to this tropical paradise, is here on a nice long vacation and not really to do anything else but sip drinks in huge glasses decorated with tiny umbrellas and flowers. Please sir, give us a break and keep your comments under your breath like a typical English gentleman.

I know that Eric Jenkinson means well, but was it necessary for him to go out on a limb for Manning? He is a trained diplomat, although serving as a Head of Mission in a small Third World State, notwithstanding some of our inflated egos. He should know better than putting his and his country's credibility on the line by sucking up unnecessarily, even though he is trying to drum up business for his own country.

BRIT WITH A FORKED TONGUE
If the British High Commissioner thinks that the crime situation "was not a matter of huge concern," how can he explain the decision of his Government, i.e. THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT, to issue a travel advisory to its citizens to exercise caution when visiting T & T???
A similar advisory has been issued by the Governments of Canada, the USA and Germany.
One explanation for his sycophantic remark could be that he is hoping for some honorary award to be bestowed upon him by this PNM Government before he is recalled from his post.

For entertainment purposes only

An alternative view (~_^)

Asked if T&T’s escalating crime situation posed a problem for the staging of CHOGM, Jenkinson said crime was “not a matter of huge concern,” as he was in “regular talks” with the police and National Security Minister Martin Joseph on the issue.

His Excellency is absolutely correct in saying it is not a matter of huge concern. It is a humungous (slang) concern, but, as a diplomat AND no doubt schooled in the art of answering without answering, it would be most inappropriate for him to use the slang word.

For clarification, I have not met His Excellency, and would not like to put words in his mouth. But, being the person that I am, I probably would have put it just like he did, mean something else and, still be polite to the media.

(Could you imagine the headlines and the reams of news if he had said what he/his countrymen really feel, assuming he was indeed selecting his words carefully?)

Observation is a wonderful thing. Just observe the security around certain people and then make up your minds from there, as if that was really necessary.

Only a few days ago a letter was published here in the Guardian commenting on the UWI students complaining about their landlords increasing their rents rather than complaining to the government directly, to (attempt to) influence a change, not showing any of the gumption of students past etc etc.

Come nah man allyuh!

My fellow bloggers and blagger, think about this... swish it around your mouth for a moment, then let it roll off the tip of your tongue as if you were tasting a fine wine. But! Do not go putting words in people's mouths. (^_^)

La Diva