Young: Chinese did not disinvite PM

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley was not disinvited from a high-level meeting of ten world leaders with Chinese President Xi Jinping but rather the meeting was cancelled to be replaced by lower-level talks for non-leaders plus an official visit by Rowley for bilateral talks, said Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young at yesterday’s post-Cabinet news briefing at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s.

He criticised un-informed and self-important commentators who had claimed Rowley had been disinvited. “Every commentator tried to create an issue that did not exist.”

Young hit former trade minister Mariano Browne’s remarks on social media, saying, “He’s insignificant and won’t change the nature, structure and importance of TT’s relationship with the People’s Republic of China.”

He also hit an unnamed Public Service former head and former senator Robin Montano.

Also on overseas matters, Young defended Rowley’s choice of Makeda Antoine as TT’s representative to the United Nations saying Antoine was very highly qualified and that she would be supported by a technical staff.

“It’s disheartening to see an attempt to discredit this young person,” Young said.

He said a diplomat’s duty was to establish good relationships for TT. Young also reeled off a list of diplomats under the former People’s Partnership government such as Dr Hamza Rafeeq to Brazil and Dr Neil Parsan to the US, none of whom were career diplomats but political appointees.

Regarding the recent action by immigration officers at Piarco Airport, Young vowed that disciplinary action would be taken against those involved.

He said the Ministry of National Security had received a report on the matter and the Attorney-General’s Office was seeking legal advice.

Asked if soldiers were being trained to do immigration officer duties, Young said that, in general, government departments must have contingency plans.

He said Minister of Public Administration Maxie Cuffie was “doing well” in his recuperation from a medical episode.

“We continue to pray for him.”