ARNOLD PIGGOTT, NEW TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO FOREIGN MINISTER

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