Muadib..yu tink yu close to Merica?

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LISTEN TO THIS: Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar speaks to United States Attorney General Eric H Holder during their joint media conference at The Diplomatic Centre in St Ann's. The US AG is in Trinidad to attend the Third Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Public Security in the Americas, which opens today at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Port of Spain. –Photo: MICHEAL BRUCE

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OK...the story....like they were harsh on Jamaica!

NO FALLOUT

US AG on Ish, Steve extradition

By Ria Taitt Political Editor


Story Created: Nov 17, 2011 ECT
Story Updated: Nov 17, 2011 at 2:17 PM ECT

The decision of Judge Ronnie Boodoosingh that businessmen Ishwar Galbaransingh and Steve Ferguson must be tried for corruption charges in Trinidad and Tobago and not the United States has not negatively impacted the extradition arrangements between Trinidad and Tobago and the United States, according to US Attorney General Eric Holder.
Holder is in Trinidad and Tobago to attend the Organisation of American States meeting of Ministers Responsible for Public Security in the Americas, which is being hosted by the Ministry of National Security. The two-day conference opens this morning at the Hyatt Regency hotel.
He was asked whether in view of the court decision, the United States was satisfied with the operation of the extradition arrangements between the two countries and in the event that the decision is not overturned, whether the United States would be satisfied that the judicial system in this country can adequately address this particular issue—of the corruption charges against both men.
Holder said he did not want to comment on a matter that was pending before the courts in this country. But he said the extradition relationship between the United States and Trinidad and Tobago was a good one. "We have worked quite well in extraditing, in both directions, people to stand justice in both of our nations," he said. He said this, as in all other relationships, could be made better. "And we have had conversations in that regard. But I would say, generally, the United States is very satisfied with the extradition relationship we have had with Trinidad and Tobago," he said.
He was speaking following a joint statement on the meeting between Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar (and her National Security ministers) and Holder at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann's.
Holder also said the US was committed to helping the region deal with the problem of the narco-trade which, he said, was fuelled, in part, by the demand for drugs in the United States. He said, therefore, the focus had to be two-fold—looking at law enforcement as well as reducing the demand in the US. Questioned on the issue of the State of Emergency, Holder noted the curfew was lifted. He said the US Government was in touch with both the Government and civil society groups.
"We understand that there has been a very serious situation here that the Prime Minister had to deal with. This is something that we have been in discussion about," he said, not elaborating on either the "serious" situation or the discussions.
Asked whether the US Government was satisfied that this country, in particular, and the Caribbean, in general, were doing enough to keep criminals at bay, Holder said yes. He said he felt there was a genuine effort on the way in the region which had been "generally successful".
"I think a better job can be done, but the same can be said of those of us in the United States" in respect of fighting crime and naco-traffickers. He said he believed that over the next two days in which the meeting takes place, the US and Caribbean countries would find techniques to better co-operate and protect the safety of their nations. He said the US Government was satisfied with the efforts made but not with the results achieved.
Earlier, Holder had proudly reminded the media that he was a member of the West Indian diaspora —his roots are in Barbados. He said the US and Trinidad and Tobago had had a "good conversation" and that both countries had a good relationship on a number of fronts. He said the area in which he is involved is law enforcement and national security.
He said the US was committed to a good partnership with Trinidad and Tobago. He said Persad-Bissessar was a leader not only in this hemisphere but around the world. "She is a person who is admired greatly in my country and deservedly so," he said. He said they talked about ways to improve the relationship, which is good. "Even good relationships can be made better," he said, adding that he looked forward to further conversations today and to the work both countries would be doing in the coming months and years.
Persad-Bissessar noted both countries have had a long and fruitful history of bilateral co-operation on security and law enforcement matters. She said they met earlier yesterday. She said Trinidad and Tobago had always been an active partner in the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, a regional initiative announced by President Barack Obama in 2009. Through increased collaboration provided by a consultative process, the CBSI partnership enhances citizen safety in the Caribbean by training law enforcement officials, expanding judicial capacity, supporting prison reform, diverting youth from drugs and improving economic well-being of citizens. She said both countries looked forward to ongoing bilateral collaboration on counter-terrorism and terrorist financing.
She added that herself and Holder discussed their common interests and goals in reducing illicit trafficking in all forms through the Caribbean, increasing public safety and security and promoting social justice.
Also present at yesterdays' meeting were Foreign Affairs Minister Suruj Rambachan, National Security Minister John Sandy, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan,Minister of Justice Herbert Volney and US Ambassador Beatrice Welters.

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and then there was Liad Bruce Golding!