T&T: Manning stiff-arms Mandela

PRIME MINISTER Patrick Manning will today say why his government has not yet responded to an invitation from Concacaf president Austin Jack Warner to allow former South African President Nelson Mandela to address a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament.

Mandela is expected here next week Thursday.

Warner wrote Prime Minister Manning on April 13, asking that the sitting be convened to allow Mandela to address both Houses but, up to yesterday, Warner said the Government had not responded.

Contacted for comment yesterday, Manning said he had no comment to make but would answer all questions on the matter during today's post-Cabinet news conference at Whitehall.

As a result of the delay in the Government's response, Warner said the programme for Mandela has been revised and he will now address citizens during a luncheon at Trinidad Country Club.

I wonder if it has anything to do with Mandela's communist leanings?