|
Tuesday, November 9, 2004
Dr Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, claimed politicians of Indian descent would be the "principal beneficiaries" in a political union of Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada and St Vincent. In an address at UWIs, St. Augustine Campus, sponsored by the Vincentian Students Association, Dr. Gonsalves admitted to informal talks with Prime Minister Patrick Manning of T & T and Grenadas Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell on the idea of a union among the three states. Gonsalves pointed to the effects of Hurricane Ivan as good reason for such a union.
Gonsalves admitted some may see such a union as an attempt to bring black voters to Trinidad to benefit PM Manning. But he reasoned that Vincentians and Grenadians have no history of ethnic voting and would be open to any candidate and perhaps to the benefit of Indian politicians as they would receive a fairer hearing than they currently enjoy in the ruling parties current strongholds.
Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday received the idea with some skepticism but remained open. Mr. Panday said that if the people wanted the union then so be it.
|
