Tobago Correspondent
Chief Secretary Farley Augustine has said the majority of United States troops in Tobago have left the island.
The US Marines arrived under a veil of secrecy in November, with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar initially hesitant to reveal their presence.
She later revealed that they were here to build a road in Tobago and assist with surveillance using a military-grade radar system.
On March 16, Guardian Media confirmed the dismantling of the radar at the ANR Robinson International Airport in Crown Point.
It was flown out days later aboard a US military cargo aircraft.
US troops, who had been seen at the Grafton Beach Resort, were spotted at the airport departing the island on Monday.
Speaking at a post-Executive Council media briefing yesterday, Augustine said, “It is more than confirmed that the radar assets belonging to the US government and the US Marines who were here, that they, for the most part, have left the island. Those that have not left the island as yet probably on their way out the island. That is actually consistent with what the THA was told before, that it would be a temporary arrangement.”
Augustine said Persad-Bissessar had publicly mentioned March as the timeline for their departure.
“She did point it out, but I don’t think anyone listened to that. There are no surprises that the radar and US personnel left or are leaving the island. That was, in fact, said from day one.”
Augustine said he found it interesting that people who queried the US presence in Tobago were now raising concerns over their exit.
“That is humanity for you,” he said.
US Marines fail to complete road
Augustine also revealed that the perimeter road around the airport that was being built by the US Marines is incomplete.
The Tobago People’s Party leader said the THA would be finishing the project.
“We have been working with the Airports Authority with getting an additional perimeter road completed. That road was started while the US Marines were here, and the radar was here. That would be completed by the THA so that pretty soon we would have that circular drive that will facilitate all of the requirements for the new terminal being functional.”
Guardian Media asked Augustine what tangible benefits Tobago derived from the radar in its four months here.
The police have credited the radar for a $171 million drug bust in the Caroni Swamp, but its manufacturer, Northrop Grumman, makes no mention of maritime capabilities of the radar on its website.
Augustine could not confirm whether the radar was utilised to help find a fishing vessel which left Buccoo on March 2, headed for St Vincent.
Neither boat nor crew has been seen since.
On Wednesday, a 73-year-old woman was kidnapped in Trinidad and found less than 12 hours later on the high seas with her kidnappers using information from the Radar Centre.
“I’m not saying it was not useful for our needs. We need more than just that,” Augustine said.
The Parlatuvier/L’anse Fourmi/Speyside electoral representative said he had requested the radar remain in Tobago during meetings with US chargée d’affaires, Dr Jenifer Neidhart de Ortiz.
He said he also asked for assistance for Tobago to get its own surveillance asset.
“Where Tobago is concerned, the issue is not just picking up what is leaving our shores but having adequate capabilities to respond in a timely manner.”
He said fisherfolk remain at peril as their colleagues often have to respond to maritime emergencies because of inadequate Coast Guard assets.
He said he was flabbergasted to hear the Coast Guard did not have fuel to respond to a casino robbery in Crown Point in November after the bandits fled in a pirogue.
