IT WILL GET BETTER

Manning's Crime Pledge For 08:

'Measures In Place': Prime Minister Patrick Manning

Prime Minister Patrick Manning is confident that the crime situation,
though difficult, will improve in 2008.

And Manning said his Government was moving to "completely eradicate"
the drug problem, which was the major source of crime and violence in
the country.

Speaking after a tour of the Hyatt Regency Hotel on the Port of Spain
Waterfront yesterday, Manning expressed confidence that Government
had put the correct measures in place and that, given time, they
would bring about the improvements that everyone wishes.

"In 2008, we continue to be in the period of transition. I expect
improvements, but we are in a period of transition. We are confident
that the measures that we are putting in place will have the desired
effect in due course," he said.

Manning, who said he was concerned about the crime situation,
stressed that Government was making several interventions to ensure
that Trinidad and Tobago is a much safer place.

He said a recent study by two international agencies concluded that
the drug trade was the major reason for much of the crime and
violence in the country. "And therefore it is to an eradication of
the drug trade that we have first turned our attention. Remember
Scotland Yard since 1995 had made it clear that Trinidad and Tobago
was small enough to completely eradicate the drug trade. And that is
what we are aiming to do," he said.

He added that toward this end, Government had established a radar
system which is currently operating, "so we can see exactly what is
going on around our coastlines".

He added: "We are getting three OPV (offshore patrol vessels), we are
buying six fast patrol boats, four armed helicopters, interceptors...
It is a whole gamut, all of those decisions are already taken."

Manning said the first metal for the first OPV would be cut this
month and the finished product should be delivered by mid-2009.

Manning had been adamant in the past about not introducing any state
of emergency. And Government sources yesterday maintained that a
state of emergency is not the way to go.

A government source explained that there are foreign policy
implications to countries declaring a state of emergency, the
ramifications of which need to be fully thought out before embracing
such a far-reaching measure which might create more harm to the
national interest.