ORLANDO – Gerard Greene, the Consul General of Trinidad and Tobago in Florida has said that Caribbean Americans must remain focused, continuing the positive contribution they make to American society and not allow the news of an alleged terrorist plot involving four Caribbean nationals to impact them negatively.
Two of the three persons arrested so far in the alleged plot are Guyanese and the other Trinidadian. The fourth person being sought is reportedly Guyanese.
Greene’s comments came in response to questions from the media on Saturday as he toured the second annual Caribbean American Business Expo here in Central Florida. The Expo is put on by the Caribbean Sun newspaper as part of the activities to commemorate Caribbean American Heritage Month.
“Like you I have just heard the news and I don’t have any facts at my disposal. What I want to assure you is that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago is fully committed to the fight against international terrorism. Trinidad is a partner with other members of the international community in this fight.
“But what is also important is that Americans of Caribbean descent remain focused on the positive lives they live here in America, continue to celebrate the positive contribution they have and continue to make to this country and not allow today’s news to impact them negatively,” he said.
Greene said that the Caribbean American Expo “is a clear example of the positive things being done by Caribbean Americans and the ongoing quest to expand business, trade, investment between the Caribbean region and the United States.”
He said that the Caribbean region enjoys very good relations with the United States and that this recent development should in no way negatively impact the meeting in Washington DC later this month of Caribbean heads-of-government with US President George Bush.
The Expo opened on Friday afternoon (June 1) with Federal, State and City officials paying tribute to Caribbean Americans and pledging to work more closely to facilitate increased trade, investment and other economic activity.
At Friday’s opening of the Expo, the Consul General of Barbados, Ed Bushell told the more than 300 guests that the upcoming Washington Conference would be unique, as it will facilitate discussions at the political, business and people to people levels.
The Expo ended yesterday, Sunday June 3.
