President’s speech impresses former CJ (with CNC3 video)

Former president of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Michael de la Bastide says President Anthony Carmona has impressed citizens by his sincerity, which he displayed in his inaugural speech on Monday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port-of-Spain. In his speech President Carmona spoke of the need for citizens and leaders alike to think outside the box in dealing with crime. He said people “must not trivialise the sanctity of human life by dismissing the deaths of young people as gang-related.”

He also spoke of the need to put new meaning to the national watchwords of discipline, production and tolerance. In a brief interview after Carmona’s speech, De La Bastide said Carmona’s devotion to the country was genuine, adding he made an excellent speech to begin his five-year term.

De La Bastide, a former chief justice, hoped President Carmona would be given the necessary support as the country’s fifth Head of State. He said he remembered Carmona when he worked at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the former High Court judge was “an excellent choice” for President. Dr George Maxwell Richards completed his second consecutive term as President on Sunday.