PM defends travel, AG

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley yesterday accused another daily newspaper of misrepresenting the facts about his official overseas trips. He also defended Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi against claims by the Opposition that he was involved in an attempt to wire-tap the office of one of its senators.

At a news conference at the Piarco International Airport after returning from the IV Caricom-Mexico Summit in Belize, Rowley said he was “taken aback” by a Trinidad Express story which supported a claim by Princes Town MP Barry Padarath that this was his 18th official trip.

Saying while he was not telling the media how to do its business, Rowley said it was his right “to object to the media giving support to misrepresentation when we in the Parliament rectified that misrepresentation.” He said Government ministers Camille Robinson-Regis and Stuart Young outlined his official overseas trips as well as his private trips. In the case of the former, Rowley said these were mainly Caricom Heads of Government meetings. On the latter he said, “My private visits had nothing to do with State business and were funded by my own pocket.

“I have travelled far less than previous prime ministers and deliberately so.” He said “some idiot” claimed he was travelling for his birthday on Wednesday. “It was my birthday, but I don’t know it was any fun travelling from here to Belize. This was all work.” Rowley turned 68. Declaring he would not flinch from discharging his responsibilities as prime minister, Rowley said, “I have chosen where my presence could benefit TT.” He said this was the case with the Caricom-Mexico Summit. Arising out of that, Rowley said TT will benefit from training by the Mexican government for local law enforcement officers. He said Mexico has been particularly successful in combating criminal gangs.

Rowley said Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Dennis Moses and Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon will meet with their Mexican counterparts next week to further discussions of a partial scope trade agreement with Mexico. He said Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto was very interested in this proposal. Rowley said if local manufacturers could gain access to even one percent of the Mexican market, this would be beneficial for them and for TT.

On the allegations against Al-Rawi, Rowley said, “I have seen nothing other than Opposition obfuscation.” He said this situation was no different to past allegations made against him by former Express reporter Anika Gumbs and former Tobago East MP Vernella Alleyne Toppin. “That was UNC organised to discredit me as opposition leader.” In Al-Rawi’s case, Rowley said this was the “same people targeting someone who they are mortally afraid of. I have lived it. I know the model and I think by now the country should know whose model that is.” In a statement, Padarath insisted Rowley has travelled 18 times overseas. He also accused Rowley of attacking the media.