Trinidad & Israel: Commentaries

So Trinidad is bringing the Jews to defend its borders against the Arab drug lords! This is rich. I hope all of them don't bring the Intifada with them. Next stop Taiwan? Who says we don't have a foreign policy?

###

Wha gwan? Can we expect more bombings now? And what was the FBI head doing down there the other day? Are these two happenings linked? I hear that Manning is planning to buy some armoured boats or something from the Israelis. I wonder if they are going to send advisers to teach us how to drive them? Don't our soldiers use Israeli Uzis? Israel gave apartheid South Africa nuclear weapons, which Mr. Mandela kindly handed over as soon as he came to power. Do you think the Israelis might give us some? After all, the Caribbean is about the only region left which has no bomb and is not trying to get one. (I don't know what's going on in Cuba).

Does anybody know if Trinidad supplies Israel with significant quantities of oil?

###

I cannot think of anything more dangerous for Trinidad and Tobago than this new foreign policy thrust. But then it makes sense. What is the point in having an anti-terrorism bill, as instructed by the US no doubt, if there is no "terrorism" as defined by the U.S. in the country? So go get some pictures with Sharon, pledge our support to his massacres of Palestinians and his imprisonment of the whole nation with an illegal wall, and hopefully that way we can attract a few suicide bombers or something. We will not even talk about Israel providing us with "security" 7 miles away from Venezuela.

It is all part of a set piece, perhaps two set pieces. One at least may make sense if you read a New York Times on the web article of October 15, 2005. The headline is "U.N. Is Gradually Becoming More Hospitable to Israel". It says among other things:

1. Israel recently submitted its candidacy for a two-year seat on the Security Council and its prime minister has been warmly received speaking to the General Assembly. This is the first resolution that Israel has ever proposed.

2. Last November a condemnation of anti-Semitism was included for the first time in the annual resolution against religious intolerance. It got 177 approving votes.

3. In June Israel’s Ambassador was selected as a vice president of the General Assembly and on Sept 20 he became the first Israeli to preside over the Assembly in 52 years.

4. One of the objectives of this new relationship between Israel and the UN is to disband three special committees that are considered forums for Israel-bashing – The Secretariat’s Division for Palestinian Rights, the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, and the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices.

The above are virtual quotations from the article, shortened up just a bit.

We will have to call on our government to account for this thrust and explain our newfound great friendship with Israel.

###

Manning meets Sharon
Tuesday, November 22nd 2005 (Trinidad Guardian)

[Image:11232005_13802_1.bmp] IN what was described yesterday as an historic 45-minute meeting, Prime Minister Patrick Manning discussed security issues with Israel's outgoing Prime Minister Ariel Sharon at his official residence in Jerusalem.

The meeting took place less than 24 hours after the Israeli leader asked his country's President Moshe Katsav to dissolve Parliament for early elections in March next year.

A statement from Manning's Whitehall office in Port of Spain late yesterday said the two leaders discussed "several security matters including the protection of Trinidad and Tobago's borders in order to stem the flow of the illicit drugs and guns" in the country.

The meeting concluded with Sharon being "optimistic that bonds of friendship between Trinidad and Tobago and Israel will continue to grow", the statement added.

Manning also met yesterday with Israel's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Silvan Shalom.

They spoke about "strengthening ties" between the two nations, matters germane to activities at the United Nations and technical assistance as well as co-operation in agricultural and medical matters.

Manning also visited the Yad Vashem Martyrs and Heroes Memorial where he re-ignited the eternal flame in memory of holocaust victims and laid a wreath in a "moving and solemn" ceremony at the Hall of Remembrance, White-hall said.

Manning is scheduled to meet with President Katsav this morning. [Image:11232005_13802_1.bmp]