Trinidad and Tobago's Ambassador John S. Donaldson gives proper perspective to Britain's Terrorism Travel Advisory

New York - Jan 29, 2003

Ambassador John S. Donaldson, Special Envoy of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago this morning visited the set of "When Steel Talks" in Brooklyn, New York with messages of assurances while on a campaign to curtail the recent negative perceptions circulating of Trinidad and Tobago - that the country was unsafe.

The Panorama competition in the country features scores of top steel orchestras competing for the championship and is a major part of the country's annual Carnival extravaganza.

The New York Pan community and the pan players of the wider world frequent the "When Steel Talks" website as the premier pan site for any and all events impacting the pan world. Taking advantage of the opportunity presented on When Steel Talks, Mr. Donaldson reached out directly to the New York Pan community, with the aim to alleviate any fears generated by the recent travel advisories put out collectively by Australia, the United Nations and the United Kingdom, with special attention to the mention of 'terrorism" in that of the United Kingdom.

In essence the Ambassador alluded to the recent reports of crime and terror as inaccuracies and exaggerations, while putting the statistics in a realistic light when positioned against those of other countries. He indicated that all visitors national and foreigners - had nothing to fear from what the government regards as unjust and unsubstantiated reports. Mr. Donaldson guaranteed that while visitors to the country were no more at risk in 2003 than any previous year, extra security measures were in place to ensure that no advantage was taking of the rumors already circulating.

The annual pilgrimage made by thousands of pan players and fans to the Mecca of Pan, Trinidad and Tobago, has already begun. This year of 2003 is of special significance as the government has officially declared it the year of the Steelpan. The Ambassador noted that the government has and continues to support the Pan community both in Trinidad and Tobago, and abroad, and noted enthusiastically that the season is already underway, with record numbers of visitors and participants already on the shores of the twin-island republic..