PM asks Iran to cool temperature with US

The government of St Vincent and the Grenadines has asked Iran to cool down the temperature in their relationship with the United States of America.{{more}}

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves was reporting on meetings that he had with the leaders of various countries, and private sector officials, during his recent trip to the United Nations.

He said that besides discussions about Iran’s promised assistance for the construction of the Argyle International Airport, he raised the issue of Iran’s relationship with the US, along with Iran’s nuclear ambitions, with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

He said that Ahmadinejad reiterated that his country’s nuclear ambitions are for domestic purposes.

Dr Gonsalves said that the Iranian leader told him that he is making efforts to cool the “temperature” in Tehran/Washington relations.

Dr Gonsalves and his team, which included Foreign Affairs Minister Sir Louis Straker, met with several other world leaders, including the presidents of the Philippines, Portugal, and Senegal, with whom he co-chaired a UN round table discussion on Africa’s development.

Sir Louis Straker, along with other Foreign Affairs Ministers met with Condoleezza Rice, the United States Secretary of State.

The Prime Minister said that he also used the opportunity to hold discussions with officials from the Kiewit Construction, who are currently constructing a tunnel under the New York/Harlem River.

Bilford “Chris” Ralph, a Vincentian, originally from South Rivers, is employed with Kiewit Construction.

Dr Gonsalves said that he met with the officials and questioned them about tunnel building with an eye on a plan that he is considering, which is to build a tunnel under Cane Garden Point to facilitate four lane traffic, and exit above the Cruise Ship berth.

This will be part of the plan being considered to turn the ET Joshua Airport into a modern city, when it is replaced by the Argyle International Airport.

Dr Gonsalves also had other meetings to promote St Vincent and the Grenadines as a stable, alternative foreign investment jurisdiction.

He also announced a planed one week European trip to promote this country’s Financial Services Sector. (KJ)