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DE RUEHSP #1138 2721926
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R 291926Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7414
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 3613

UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 001138 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PINR TD
SUBJECT: ARNOLD PIGGOTT, NEW TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO FOREIGN MINISTER 
 
REF: POS 00135 
 
¶1.  On September 29, the GOTT announced that present T&T High 
Commissioner to Canada Arnold Piggott has been appointed Foreign 
Minister, replacing Knowlson Gift who resigned his position on 
September 25.  Arnold Piggott was immediately sworn in. 
 
¶2.  Since an official Ministry of Foreign Affairs bio on Arnold 
Piggott is not yet available, the following is biographical 
information on Piggott, supplied to us by a parliamentary source. 
"His Excellency Arnold A. Piggott, having arrived in Canada on 
February 28, 2003 assumed office as the Republic of Trinidad and 
Tobago's 12th High Commissioner to Canada on March 14, 2003 upon 
presentation of his credentials to Her Excellency Adrienne Clarkson, 
the Governor-General of Canada.  High Commissioner Piggott is a 
graduate of St. Francis College, Brooklyn, New York where he 
obtained a first degree in Business Management - the Bachelor of 
Business Administration (BBA).  Immediately Prior to his appointment 
as High Commissioner, Mr. Piggott served as a Senator in the Upper 
House of the Parliament of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago from 
December 2001 to October 2002 when he was appointed to the Cabinet 
of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, as the 
Minister of Works and Transport. Mr. Piggott was also appointed to 
serve on several Cabinet Sub-Committees following his Ministerial 
appointment. During his tenure as a Minister, he formulated and 
initiated several policies pertinent to the effective administration 
of the Ministry, as well as provided policy directives for several 
Boards of Directors of the State. He also successfully facilitated 
conclusion of bilateral agreements and the execution of a number of 
infrastructural projects within budget and on time. Previously he 
was a Consultant in private practice providing Consultancy/Project 
Management services in Electronic Banking, having been a banker with 
twenty-five (25) years combined experience within the Financial 
Services sector. Mr. Piggott has brought to market three (3) 
International Credit Cards, conceptualized the design/ambience of 33 
ATM lobbies including Off-Site locations, redesigned/re-branded and 
delivered to market replacement ATM cards in keeping with the 
Corporate Image of a major local Bank. He credits his achievements 
to his passion for timeliness, a commitment to detail and 
persistence for high-level performance by team members. He is a 
visionary and conceptual in problem resolution with strong 
communication and analytical skills. He also maintains an extensive 
business network and enjoys public relations activities.  As High 
Commissioner to Canada, Mr. Piggott's mandate is to increase trade, 
investment, tourism and employment opportunities for Trinidad and 
Tobago's businesses and citizens in keeping with Government's Vision 
2020 development plan.  High Commissioner Piggott is married to 
Wendy Kitson-Piggott, a Canadian trained Microbiologist, and is 
father of two boys and one girl." 
 
 
 
¶3.  COMMENT:  Although, prior to his appointment as High 
Commissioner to Canada, Arnold Piggott had no experience in foreign 
affairs, the initial thinking among post's local staff is that he is 
very personable and approachable.  We expect that he will follow 
closely to PM Manning's recent foreign policy line, which is to 
pursue close relations with the U.S. while pressuring us for greater 
assistance in counter-narcotics and security areas.  Caricom 
relations are also expected to be highlighted during this election 
year.  END COMMENT. 
 
 
AUSTIN