Preparations for 5th Summit of the Americas reach high pitch

Despite tight security at the airport, Trinidad and Tobago authorities insisted that commercial traffic will not be disrupted during the summit. Passenger check-ins, arrivals and departures will take place at the older north terminal.

However, the nation's residents have been alerted that life in the capital city and outlying areas visited by high-level officials will grind to a halt during the summit, the fifth of its kind since 1994.

Traffic jams and checkpoints will be the norm, especially in the immediate area of the Hyatt Regency, site of most of the formal summit meetings.

Security forces numbering in the thousands will include law enforcement personnel recruited from many Caribbean countries, including a contingent from the Royal Grenada Police Force and Special Services Unit, visiting CARICOM (Caribbean Community) troops from Barbados and St. Kitts, 30 security officers and 94 soldiers from Jamaica, and 60 officers from the Bahamas Police Force, as well as a massive presence of security personnel from the United States.

Numerous no-go and restricted zones will prohibit car and foot traffic on many streets in the capital. Several dress rehearsals simulating arrival ceremonies for the heads of state already have caused inconvenience for locals by blocking access to roads. Several pastors complained that restricted areas would prevent worshipers from attending church services, and a few bar owners already have sought compensation for business losses incurred in the lead-up to the summit.

Summit organizers anticipate demonstrations before and during the conference, according to the local Newsday newspaper. Several groups have warned that they will stage demonstrations to protest the nation's high crime rate, low wages, high food costs, layoffs and the fiscal crisis.

TOTAL COST TO BE OVER 80 MILLION DOLLARS

Protests are also expected to focus on the price tag for the summit, which is expected to total more than 82 million dollars, including 3.6 million dollars for 64 new Ford SUVs for use by attendees.

By comparison, the recently concluded Group of 20 summit, which brought together 20 international leaders and their delegations, only cost an estimated 33 million dollars, according to Newsday.

Several forums will precede the meeting of political leaders, including a two-day session on April 15 and 16 involving national tourist office heads, teachers, faith-based groups and trade unions, among others.

"Space has been created for these groups to discuss their problems and gripes with foreign ministers' representatives before the summit opens," said Hector Morales, U.S. permanent representative to the Organization of American States.

"The government in Trinidad has done all it can to set up conditions conducive to a smooth summit process, but I am sure there will be demonstrations," he said.

Apart from the Hyatt Regency hotel, the Trinidad government has also leased two cruise ships, the Caribbean Princess and the Carnival Victory to house government delegations and media attending the conference.