By Anna Ramdass
Trinidad Express
United States Vice President Joseph Biden applauded the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force which serenaded him and his family with the sweet sound of the steel pan upon his arrival in Trinidad last night.
Biden, his wife Dr Jill Biden and his two granddaughters arrived on the United States Air Force Two aircraft last night at approximately 8.25 pm.
He was originally carded to arrive at 6.45 pm.
Upon the arrival of the aircraft, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, dressed in an blue skirt suit led her members of Cabinet onto the red carpet laid out on the tarmac.
Members of the defence force hurriedly passed a broom on the red carpet before the Presidential guests exited the plane.
Persad-Bissessar accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Dookeran, United States Charge D Affairs and Defence force officials greeted the Bidens as they exited the aircraft.
The National Anthem of the United States of America was played following the Trinidad and Tobago national anthem.
Vice President Biden was then escorted by the Guard Commandeer and the formation commander of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force to inspect the Guard of Honour.
Persad-Bissessar then introduced him and his family members to members of her Cabinet.
The Bidens were then supposed to head to their vehicle and leave.
But, the sweet sounds Natasha Wilson’s “Sweet T&T” played on the steel pan caught the Bidens attention and Persad-Bissessar led them to the TTDF Steel Orchestra where they listened for a couple minutes and applauded before the rains came.
Biden, stood halfway from inside his vehicle and complimented and thanked the steel orchestra.
A motorcade then followed to the Hyatt Regency hotel where the Bidens will be staying.
Hours before the Bidens’ arrival intense security checks were conducted at the airport and even on the outskirts.
Local police mobile cars were stationed at all points leading to the airport.
At the airport, media personnel were asked to arrive at 4 pm where a security search was conducted before entry.
United States law enforcement officials were visibly present at the airport, some standing in the shadows while others were engaged in checking vehicles lined on the tarmac.
The large number of media personnel was accommodated in a tiny room and briefed by officials from the military.
At around 5.30 pm the media was informed that the Bidens’ arrival of 6.45 pm was delayed by an hour.
Later an 8.30 pm arrival time was given.
There were no immediate responses or reasons given for the late arrival.
Restlessness combined with hunger had most people- from media to police to other officials exiting the airport and rushing to a fast food vendor outside.
The feast for the evening were bread and fry chicken and fries. Today, Biden will be busy with a series of meetings before he departs Trinidad in the afternoon.
Biden and his wife are scheduled to pay a courtesy call to President Anthony Carmona and his wife Reema at the Office of the President, St Ann’s at 10 a.m Biden will then leave for the Diplomatic centre for meetings and his wife will head to Cocobel in Woodbrook.
At 10.45 am Biden will pay a courtesy call to Persad-Bissessar in the State room of the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s.
At 11am to 11.30 am there will be a bilateral meeting between Biden and Persad-Bissessar and government officials.
Following that a multilateral meeting is c carded to take place between Biden, Caricom members and member of the Dominican Republic.
A luncheon, hosted by Persad-Bissessar will follow.
At 2.15 pm a news conference will take place where Biden, Persad-Bissessar and Caricom chair-Michel Joseph Martelly, Haiti’s President will sign the Trade Investment Framework (TIFA) between Caricom and United States.
Biden will then leave for the Piarco airport where he and his family are schedule to depart Trinidad at 3.30 pm.
