This government, headed by Prime Minister Patrick Manning, seems bent on taking an uncritical, pro-U.S. stance on international relations. This Trinidad and Tobago Government is aligning with the U.S. government and its allies, without consideration of the widespread abuses committed by the U.S. and Israeli governments. This Trinidad and Tobago government does not speak out against any of the atrocities committed by the U.S., Israel, and Briton.

Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Patrick Manning, is in Israel for discussions on how to deal with crime in Trinidad and Tobago. But I'll bet that is not the real reason Patrick Manning is in Israel.

What is the relationship between this trip to Israel and the Israeli man who was recently deported after being arrested in Trinidad, and fined for being in possession of a Trinidad and Tobago Immigration stamp? He was hastily released in the custody of a representative of the Israeli government. What collusion took place that allowed this matter to be hastily discharged?

Patrick Manning has never condemned Israel's aggression aimed at the Palestinians and other neighboring countries. Israel does not abide by any of the UN resolutions. The idea of the International Criminal Court came from our ex-President Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson, yet Israel is not a signatory to the International Criminal Court. In light of this, why would our Prime Minister, Patrick Manning want to ask a criminal Government to advise us about how to deal with crime? Why would Patrick Manning choose Israel for talks on how to address our crime situation?

Is Patrick Manning seeking advice on how to use the tactics of the Israeli government to undermine the opposition in this country? Is he interested in their methods of torture? Is this government cooperating with efforts to destabilize Venezuela and oust its democratically elected President Hugo Chavez? Is the Prime Minister trying to acquire more spy equipment from Israel? Patrick Manning had previously announced the purchase of approximately 60 million dollars worth of surveillance equipment from Israel. It has not been disclosed to the public where this equipment is and what it is being used for. Certainly it has not made the police service any more efficient.

What was the intention behind visiting Israel at a time when there is much political turmoil in Israel? Patrick Manning met with Ariel Sharon, less than 24 hours after Sharon called on Israel's President, Moshe Katsav, to dissolve Parliament.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning should be called upon to explain the urgency of this trip. Why does he think it is in our best interest to be courting a government that commits atrocities, especially against the Palestinians?