[UPDATED] Diplomat defends PM's attire at Canada summit

VETERAN Antiguan/Barbudian diplomat Sir Ronald Sanders defended the Prime Minister against criticism about his attire at the closing news conference at the First Canada-Caricom Summit in Ottawa, Canada.

Dr Rowley’s wore a t-shirt sweater, slacks and shoes at the briefing.

Sanders, is the current Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States and to the Organization of American States (OAS), said the people criticising Rowley had no knowledge about those circumstances which led to his attire at the closing news conference of the summit. A statement issued by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) said Rowley returned home on Friday. The summit began on October 17 and ended on October 19.

Rowley and Guyana President Dr Irfaan Ali represented Caricom chairman, Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit at the closing news conference of the summit.

Ali wore a Nehru suit. Trudeau wore a business suit.

Trudeau said Ali was acting as Caricom chairman in Skerrit’s absence

He welcomed Rowley whom he said “was glad to participate as well.”

Ali also welcomed Rowley’s participation in the briefing.

“In cricket, we have opening batsmen. So we (Rowley and myself) are opening the batting here.” Ali left before the briefing ended, leaving Rowley and Trudeau to take questions from the media. Trudeau translated questions from the media in French to Rowley, so he could answer them.

But a photo posted by Rowley of himself and Trudeau at the closing press conference ignited negative comments about his attire.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, Sanders said regrettable comments on Facebook did a great injustice to Rowley who “was an outstanding voice at the Caricom-Canada meeting on the issues that are important to us.”

Sanders added that he sat next to Rowley during all sessions at the summit.

“The circumstances for his dress for a media conference with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were, that the conference chair, PM Skerrit of Dominica had to leave early because of the prospect of Hurricane Tammy hitting his country.”

Sanders said at that time, Rowley was dressed and ready to leave his hotel to the multiple flights he needed to return home.

“In the absence of PM Skerrit, as he (Rowley) was leaving, he was pressed into service at the very last minute.”

Sanders said Rowley “stepped up to the plate, and even though he was drafted with no prior notice, he spoke well for all.”

He added that Rowley should be lauded. Not criticised.”

Rowley shared the post without addition comment on his own Facebook page.

In a statement, National Transformation Alliance (NTA) political leader Gary Griffith also slammed Rowley’s attire

“As a former military attache´ to a Prime Minister (Basdeo Panday), and aide de camp to a President, I can assure the public that dress codes matter, especially on the international stage. “

Griffith described Rowley’s outfit as a “washed-out tracksuit.”

He criticised anyone who defended Rowley for his attire at the briefing. Griffith wondered what would people say had Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar “done something similar, and shown up to meet world leaders as if she had just hustled out of the gym.”

Griffith said, “This speaks to the heart of the problem which plagues our country, as people are so blinded by politics that they lose sight of what is right and good.”

At the summit, Rowley called for greater collaboration between Canada and Caricom with respect to regional security.

He said co-operation with Canada was needed with respect to securing small craft to patrol and secure the borders of Caricom nations. Rowley also identified police training, particularly in combating cybercrime, as another area that could benefit from increased partnership with Canada.

A joint communiqué issued after the summit said Caricom and Canada have launched a strategic partnership, establishing a new permanent mechanism for structured high-level engagement and follow through on joint actions.

Discussions at the summit focused on priorities of climate change, access to finance, regional and global security, and trade and investment.

On regional security, Caricom and Canada welcomed the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2699 (2023) adopted on October 2 and emphasized the importance of establishing a strong transitional government of unity to support the role of the the multinational security support mission in Haiti.

Caricom welcomed Canada’s coordination role in building the Haitian National Police’s capacity.

While discussions focused on Haiti, leaders also engaged on key security challenges in the region, including illicit trafficking of weapons and drugs, and surging violent crime.

In support of this, Canada committed $6.6 million to tackle illegal arms trafficking in Haiti and the wider Caribbean, as well as $4.6 million to address gender-based violence and women’s rights in the Eastern Caribbean.

Caricom and Canada also agreed on “the importance of our common commitment to enhancing peace and security in both the Western Hemisphere and the world, including in Venezuela and the Middle East.”

This story was originally published with the title "Judge rules for suspended cop" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

THE Prime Minister has returned from Ottawa, Canada, where he attended the First Canada-Caricom summit.

A statement issued by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) said Dr Rowley returned home on Friday.

The summit began on October 17 and ended on October 19.

At the summit, Rowley called for greater collaboration between Canada and Caricom with respect to regional security.

He said co-operation with Canada was needed with respect to securing small craft to patrol and secure the borders of Caricom nations.

Rowley also identified police training, particularly in combating cybercrime, as another area that could benefit from increased partnership with Canada.