Reports of T&T nationals joining the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis) are a matter of grave concern and interest to the Government, admits Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Dookeran. He said so while fielding questions from the media after speaking at an open lecture hosted by the St Augustine Campus of University of the West Indies on Tuesday night.
However, he was quick to say that, thus far, there had been no evidence on the matter. He said he had also asked the Ministry of National Security to provide him with “any thoughts on the issue.” Dookeran also defended Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Persad’s decision to co-sponsor the United Nations Security Council resolution on the fight against terrorism. “This is a landmark piece of resolution that brought us near to a world consensus on the fight against terrorism.
“The programme that will evolve out of that we will see emerging is a whole different approach to fighting foreign terrorist fighters... that is what the resolution is about.” On the statements of Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley that co-sponsoring the resolution put T&T citizens at risk, Dookeran said that was a risk which existed with or without the co-sponsorship.
Griffith: it helps us monitor Isis
Contacted yesterday, National Security Minister Gary Griffith said he was unable to divulge the security aspects of the mechanism but said it was useful in connection with monitoring whether nationals were fighting for Isis. “We are closely monitoring all aspects of this issue, including anyone who has been aiding and abetting in any way and financing all of these individuals.
“Because of the resolution we have been able to obtain valuable intelligence at a fast pace, which has been assisting us,” Griffith said. Asked whether he was concerned that several T&T nationals have reportedly joined Isis, Griffith said as Minister of National Security he was never concerned. “I work on facts, not emotions. I make decisions in the best interest of the country,” he replied.