PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago, Guardian - T&T has ratified an agreement with the US which governs the temporary presence of US military/defence personnel in T&T for mutually agreed activities. The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) at 3.23 pm yesterday announced the ratification of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the US. However, it was noted that this SOFA could not be the basis for the establishment of an American military base in T&T because it contemplates the temporary presence of US personnel in T&T.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The Trinidad and Tobago government Monday said it had ratified the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the United States, which governs the temporary presence of US military-defence personnel here for mutually agreed activities. The government said the agreement is intended to strengthen the existing excellent relationship between the two countries in matters of national and regional security.

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC – International Trade Minister Rickey Skerrit is dismissing claims that the regional integration movement, CARICOM, is no longer relevant to the development of the Caribbean. “There is no alternative to CARICOM, until I see what the alternative is I really don’t see why we should be thinking about disbanding CARICOM. I think we should continue to see how we can make CARICOM more effective,” Skerritt told Winn FM radio here.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago, Guardian - The Caribbean Basin Security Initiative is expected to be a major topic at today’s historic meeting in Port-of-Spain between United States Vice-President Joe Biden and presidents, prime ministers and other government officials from the Caribbean region. This subject is of critical concern for T&T and the rest of the Caribbean. Biden’s visit—his second stop on a six-day whirlwind tour—follows closely on Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s visit to Washington last month.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago, Express - United States Vice-President Joseph Biden applauded the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force who serenaded him and his family with the sweet sound of the pan upon his arrival in Trinidad last night.
Biden, his wife Dr Jill Biden and his two grand-daughters arrived on the United States Air Force Two aircraft at Piarco International Airport at approximately 8.25 p.m. He was originally scheduled to arrive at 6.45 p.m.