Port of Spain, 23 April 06 [AlterPresse] --- Barbados Prime Minister Owen Arthur has written to Prime Minister Patrick Manning, seeking to expedite negotiation between the two countries which would lead to Barbadian fishermen catching flying fish in T&T’s waters.
This was revealed by Prime Minister Patrick Manning, who said he got the letter from Arthur on April 20, 06 and had a brief discussion with him.
One week after the Arbitration tribunal ordered T&T and Barbados to negotiate a settlement of the longstanding fishing row, the Prime Minister of Barbados kept his promise to write Manning on the matter.
Manning said: “He has written me on that matter and I had a brief discussion with him. I will respond to him when I get home.”
For years, Barbados and T&T have been at loggerheads over Bajan fishermen wanting to fish in T&T’s waters.
Barbados took the matter to the International Court of Arbitration and the court gave a line of demarcation and ordered the two sides to negotiate a settlement.
The Barbadians have argued that it was a victory for them, because they have forced T&T to negotiate a settlement, while T&T has also claimed victory, saying the country has protected all its valuable hydrocarbon resources.
Manning said he expected the fishing matter to be settled, because the lines of demarcation were now clearer. [Exilus Deceyon - apr 23/04/2006 05:40]