Message from Honourable Prime Minister Patrick Manning
to Trinidad and Tobago Nationals in Washington D.C.
on the occasion of Independence Day 2006

It gives me great pleasure to extend greetings to nationals of Trinidad and Tobago resident in Washington D.C. and North America at this time, as you prepare to commemorate our nation’s forty–fourth Anniversary of Independence. I greet you on behalf of all the citizens of our beloved nation, at home and in other parts of the world. I extend to you our love and best regards.

Since the achievement of Independence, our young nation has made remarkable progress in every aspect of national life, whether in respect of human development and the living standards of our citizens, our economy, or our relations with the nations and peoples of the world.

We have approached the challenge of nation-building with great commitment and steadfastness, moving our country from an independent, monarchical state to a modern, sovereign republic.

We continue to pursue national development on the foundations of open and liberal democracy, the supremacy of our constitution, the rule of law and equality of justice.

Through the nurturing of goodwill, understanding and genuine appreciation of all among our citizens, we have been able to transform our multi-cultural, multi-ethnic nation into one society, breaking down the barriers of race, class, creed, gender and other prejudices inimical to collective peace, progress and happiness.

Out of the difficult economic circumstances of our past, our nation has evolved into a strong, stable, progressive and promising economy. Today, we stand out as a model of development in the region and, the world over, as an example to other Small Island Developing States regarding what is possible for them to achieve.

In the main, our success results from the spirit and character of our people: our love of life, our love of our country and determination to advance the cause of equality, human dignity, freedom and world civilization.

In many spheres of human endeavour our citizens stand shoulder to shoulder with the rest of the world. Names like Vidya Naipaul, Penny Commissiong, Brian Charles Lara and Dwight Yorke are internationally known, and recall our outstanding achievements in many fields of activity.

The recent triumph of our athletes in the World Junior Championships in Beijing is but the latest manifestation of the talent and courage of our people, indeed our capacity to do exceedingly well in relating to whatever we affix our minds and hearts.

This is not to say that we do not have our challenges. As is the case with so many other nations, we have not been able to escape the difficulties of organized, international crime. All are not as yet committed to the quest for national development. Developing trends in the international economy continue to mandate adjustment and transformation on our part. But these are among the growing pains of our nation. The government remains committed to treating adequately with all our difficulties and challenges, and all in our society must redouble their effort to ensure that as a nation we achieve our full potential.

We have set ourselves the agenda of our transformation into a developed nation by the year 2020. As challenging as this is, we are daily making progress. Our programmes in health, education, industrial and infrastructural development are among the many which to date are increasingly on course.

As nationals resident abroad, you have been playing a crucial role in representing our nation in the wider world and remain critical to the achievement of all our aspirations. The starting point has always been how you comport yourselves to ensure that “the red, white and black” continues to fly high. Given the accelerated growth and development currently taking place in our country, new and exciting opportunities are emerging for the establishment and development of additional, international linkages in the domains of business, culture and industry. You must continue to play your part.

It goes with out saying that a warm welcome awaits those of you willing to return home so that our nation can make use of the skills and tremendous experience you have acquired abroad. As always, the opportunity is there for you to visit us at home at any time. You are always in our hearts and our prayers. Rest assured of our nation’s highest consideration.

As we commemorate this Independence Day, let us remember always the important words of our national anthem which stress the unity of our country in which every creed and race find an equal place.

Patrick Manning