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Once again Minister of Defence Wayne Sturge yesterday declined to answer a question on whether Trinidad and Tobago has given authorisation for military operations involving United States warships in the Gulf of Paria and US mili­tary aircraft in Trinidad and Tobago airspace, on the basis that it is not in the public interest to provide an answer.

Responding to a question in the House of Representatives from Arouca/Lopinot MP Marvin Gonzales, who asked the question referring to videos, satellite imagery, photographs and associated media reports of US warship sightings in the Gulf of Paria and US military aircraft in Trinidad and Tobago’s airspace.

Sturge said: “Until the member can convince me as to how disclosure either way is in public interest, I would have no choice but to rely on the protections afforded by Standing order 27(1)(G).”