The about turn of FIFA Vice President Jack Warner

JACK & BAS BACK TOGETHER

Rarely am I shocked by the maneuverings of politicians, but the not-so-unexpected turnaround by Jack Warner left me momentarily dazed. Information reaching me suggested that Basdeo Panday had initiated reconciliation talks with Warner, but never in my wildest dreams did I expect Jack to so unconditionally and publicly surrender his moral authority to the Bas. Warner said he apologized “profusely” for all the bad things that he had said about Panday. Interestingly enough, all of this took place whilst the Political Leader of the United National Congress was abroad. How convenient!

My immediate reactions to this sudden turn of events were varied. First of all, somebody had to have sold out. Either Warner has something on Panday and is allowing him the opportunity to exist the political stage with dignity at the appropriate time or Panday has now acquired some “hot” information on Warner and is prepared to use it if Warner does not tow the line. In short, some kind of a deal “went down.” Don’t get me wrong, I am all for unity within the UNC, but it must be done with sincerity, based on principles of mutual understanding and respect and geared towards achieving the best results for the people of the nation. What took place on Friday 2nd December 2005 with Warner’s about- turn was nothing less than obscene. MP’s Dr. Fuad Khan, Gillian Lucky and Gerald Yetming were absolutely correct in boycotting that mockery of an attempt at unity.

It was indeed a sad day in the politics of Trinidad and Tobago, but as they say, life goes on and the colour of coffee has not changed. After discussing this entire episode with a very good friend of mine, I was told with a wry expression “Only dogs lick up deh own vomit.” I will report to the nation as further developments take place.

HIV/AIDS

Last month, I received an e-mail relating to a previous article I did on HIV/AIDS. I would like to share its contents with you:
Hello Anderson I have read with great interest your article on:"HIV/AIDS was born in the USA". I must say I ampleased with your boldness. I am a Ugandan now livingin Canada. I graduated from Harvard School of PublicHealth, where I once heard about a German scientistwho wanted to share empirical facts on the origins ofHIV/AIDS (tracing it to the USA labs in their scramblefor funds for small pox vaccine), but to no greenlight. He received threats from USA, rejection fromWHO and faced closed doors from the poor nations ofAfrica - including my own, simply because the UnitedStates government warned against any nation hostingthis scientist. Your article provides a good start and a fertileavenue for some of us interested in exploring moreabout this disease. While starting with a sharp andfocused cut through, it seems to later meander a bitinto short and hard to connect notes (outlines. Youassume that many a reader will have read through whatyou have already talked about. I for one have not. Anexample is when you talked of the Icelandic scientistscombining the sheep Visna virus with human tissuecells more than 20 years ago. Is the the 20 yearsflashing back to 2005, or did you mean some yearsbefore 2005 (since you ably prove that the virus wasformed in the 1970's), or before? And a few more. Isit possible that you give a more flesh to your goodbriefs? I am also interested in furthering my knowledge onthis issue: the role of the United Nations in thefight against HIV/AIDS - organisations such as UNAIDS,UNICEF, WHO, etc. Do you think the Impoverished,disease stricken and war wrecked African nations, andthe target gay communities can do anything freethemselves off this situation? Please get back to be. I will appreciate yourresponse. Sincerely Andrew Ssawe

I have replied to Andrew’s e-mail thanking him for his comments and outlining the reasons for brevity in the previous article. I intend to remain in contact with him to develop the points contained within the article and ensure that the true message gets out. Readers will be updated as the process takes shape. For reasons of clarity, in answer to Andrews question about the creation of the virus, it was clearly developed and distributed in the 1970s.

FTAA

Earlier this year, I received an e-mail concerning my article on Port of Spain hosting the FTAA Secretariat. The contents are as follows:
A. ANDERSON MORRIS: your interesting article: "UNMASKING PoS FTAA HOAX," has been brought to my attention because I’m very interested in the CARICOM region in general & T&T in particular - you may read my commentaries on the CARIBBEAN INVESTOR website managed by KELVIN SCOON - 1st of all - is it possible for you to send me an electronic version of your article to me at this Em address? - 2dly I’m traveling to T&T April 25 for the CTO sustainable tourism conference in Tobago (apr 25-apr 29) - I will then stop in PoS apr 30-may 4 before returning to Puerto Rico - it would be nice to meet you & discuss the FTAA PoS's application for the sect & defining the future role of T&T (as well as CARICOM) in the FTAA if it is achieved) - I’ll be stopping at the Marriott courtyard your consideration appreciated - John Collins contributing editor CARIBBEAN BUSINESS San Juan Puerto Rico (my articles appear on the CARIBBEAN INVESTOR website (www.caribbeaninvestor.com) as well as in the archives of CARIBBEAN BUSINESS (www.puertoricoWOW.com with some also appearing on www.google.com)

I made contact with John via telephone and the conversations were interesting. However, we were unable to meet because I was unavailable at the time [prior commitments]. However, I will keep in contact with him as we continue to track the progress made with relation to the creation of the FTAA.

MANY THANKS TO ALL OUR READERS

To all those who have e-mailed, called or written to me, I wish to express my profound gratitude. I am humbled by your faith in me and pledge that I will continue to be impartial, fair, and balanced. As demonstrated above, our readers come from far and wide and it illustrates the reach that the TNT Mirror has in the international community. Congratulations to all at the TNT News Centre. We will continue to educate, entertain, and bring you the story behind the story when it happens. Till next week, take care of yourselves.