Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Patrick Manning has called on representatives of the 34 countries of the Organisation of American States (OAS) to reintegrate Cuba into the Western Hemisphere. 

He made the call at the opening ceremony of the Fifth Summit of the Americas on Friday April 17, 2009 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago saying “…it will be an error of existential proportions if we are not able to conduct our business on the basis of cordiality and mutual respect”.

The Prime Minister said the recent announcement by the President of the United States Barack Obama that he’s seeking “a new beginning”, has instilled a sense of optimism.

Mr. Manning said it will be a mistake to allow any one issue to dominate discussions among the Heads of State and Government. He said the people of the Americas are depending on their governments to approach international issues with vigour.

Some of these issues, according to Mr. Manning include trade opportunities, the tourism industry, the transshipment of guns and drugs across the hemisphere, health care, the energy sector and the world financial crisis.

The Prime Minister appealed to the leaders, saying “..let it not be said that we failed our people in their hour of need because we lacked the maturity and good sense to conduct our business in a rational and objective manner”.