THE EDITOR: I want to endorse the position of the THA not to attend talks held between the Minister of Transport, Devant Maharaj and the THA on air transportation between the islands, with the presence of the Minority Leader as part of it. This new trend has only been seen with this government who has absolutely no respect for protocol, much less the THA. However, the news about the inclusion of more flights to Tobago and to have the airport open for 24 hrs should be reconsidered and instead be opened for 12hrs.

But in what capacity is Ashworth Jack sitting in on these talks? It is quite obvious that he is only there as a partner in the People's Partnership and nothing else. If the government needs to hold talks with the THA, it should be held with the decision makers of the THA or the governing body.

This is not the first time that Ashworth Jack has been involved in official government business in Tobago of which Devant Maharaj was apart. It was only a few months ago the Transport Minister came on an official visit to facilities of PTSCin Tobago, and there was Asworth Jack "in tow", flanked by the (more corn) Tobago Development Minister. Nowhere was the Secretary of Tourism and Transport, Mr Oswald Williams, or even the Chief Secretary, seen in the picture, because they were not invited. The two Tobago MPs, Alleyene Toppin and Dr. Delmon Baker along with Asworth Jack must be held responsible for the disrespectful behaviour; they should be the first to protect the institution called the Tobago House of Assembly.

They were all present when the prime minister and a barrage of other government ministers swarm Tobago to open the Technology Centre at Canaan. The Chief Secretary had to invite himself in the face of total disrespect, and not even the former Secretary of Education, Mrs. Claudia Groom Duke who was the one who initiated the building of the Technology Centre, was invited. But interestingly, Ashworth Jack was most present and was acknowledged above the Chief Secretary by Vernella Alleyne Toppin, who in paying her respects to those present, ignored the protocol awarded to the honourable gentleman because she "didn't see" him.

When the prime minister was again in Tobago to cut the ribbon to open the Registry Office, Ashworth Jack was on the podium addressing the gathering as if he was a member of the government. This government and its representatives need to know the difference between government and party.

Ashworth Jack has absolutely no place in official government business or as a representative of the THA since he is in opposition and CANNOT make decisions for Tobago. Why doesn't the government invite Opposition Leader Dr. Keith Rowley to their talks with foreign officials too if Ashworth Jack is to be present at these meetings even if he is not on the Executive Council?

Other ministers came to Tobago before and held talks with THA officials including the Chief Secretary and the Minority Leader was not a part of them. Why do Devant Maharaj and Vassant Barrath (who also did it) think that Jack must be included in these talks? It is understood if the Minister of Tobago Development is present at talks since she is an official representative of the government, representing Tobago.

The country is already feeling the pressure this government's "dead weight" as they continue to annoy and disgust the people with their carefree attitude towards the populace and their clueless and visionless style of governing. This should be their major concern, but instead they are trying to "prop up" Ashworth Jack (who is also not overwhelmingly popular as he believes and whose "good image" depends on his counterparts in Trinidad, as the distrust in them escalates) as some future Chief Secretary of Tobago. If the people do not trust the government, how can they trust Ashworth Jack and the TOP?

This year is expected to be a year of a lot of jostling for space, flexing of political muscles and total disrespect and discourtesy in the government's attempts to take control of Tobago. The Tobago Development Minister has already told media representatives here that this is a crucial year for Tobago and "who have more corn, feed more foul" and "while the THA will be throwing handfuls they'll be throwing bagfuls". These are the certainly "signs of the times? Tobagonians, take warning.

G. Walters.