Both Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith (left) and Opposition Leader Julian Fraser RA (R3), right, have paid tributes on the passing of former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Patrick A. M. Manning (centre). Photo: VINO/Internet Source

From Left: Former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works, Julian Willock, Former Premier of the Virgin Islands Hon Ralph T. O'Neal OBE and son of late Prime Minister Patrick A.M. Manning, Brian H. Manning, who came to the VI in 2010. Photo: VINO/File

Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad and Tobago, where the funeral of the late Prime Minister Patrick A.M. Manning will be held on Saturday July 9, 2016. Photo: southtravels.com

Even in the tribute one can see the difference in approach by the Territory’s Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith and Leader of the Opposition Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party.

Dr Smith’s Tribute

In his tribute, Premier Smith- a Territorial At Large Representative- wrote a letter to the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago conveying deepest sympathy to the Government and people on the passing of former Prime Minister and Parliamentary Representative for San Fernando East, Honourable Patrick A. M. Manning.

In reflecting on Honourable Manning’s legacy and leadership, Premier Smith wrote in his letter that he was a visionary leader who made an enduring contribution to the advancement of Trinidad and Tobago and indeed the entire region, which served to strengthen the integration movement at a critical time in our region’s history.

Hon Fraser made a more personal tribute

Meanwhile, the Leader of the Opposition and Third District Representative Hon Fraser paid a more personal tribute. He telephoned the late Prime Minister Manning’s eldest son Brian H. Manning to convey his tributes on behalf of the Opposition, his wife and the people of the Virgin Islands.

In a press statement, Hon Fraser said: “I was happy to have been able to reach the family of former Prime Minister Patrick A. M. Manning of Trinidad and Tobago ahead of his pending funeral in order to share condolences and offer words of encouragement. I spoke with his son Brian who at the time was still attending to his studies abroad, and was preparing to return to Trinidad to aid with funeral preparations,” the Leader of the Opposition said. 

Hon Fraser, in his tribute, said: “Prime Minister Manning was a Caribbean man…..I met him in 2008 while representing Premier [Ralph T.] O'Neal in Washington DC at a Caribbean Tourism Summit with Caribbean Heads of State where the hot topic was airlift,” Hon Fraser wrote.

In his tribute, Hon Fraser noted that under “Manning's leadership the world and the region faced severe crisis, both economically and otherwise, and Hon Manning courageously used his country's relative economic position of strength to take on a regional leadership role.”

According to Hon Fraser, the late Prime Minister Manning “bailed out other regional countries in desperate need, without any guarantee of repayment, he stabilised and preserved a bona fide Caribbean Air Transportation to the rest of the world, and used his country's wealth to diversify its economy.”

Hon Fraser concluded by saying “on behalf of my wife Kharid and the people of the Virgin Islands, I extend condolences to the family of Prime Minister Manning and the people of Trinidad and Tobago.”

Would VI be there?

There has been no announcement from the Dr Smith led National Democratic Party Administration whether the Virgin Islands will be represented at the funeral of the late Prime Minister Manning scheduled for Saturday July 9, 2016 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago’s capital city.