Obama to attend Summit of the Americas in Trinidad

President Barack Obama is expected to lead a 1,000-strong US delegation for the Fifth Summit of the Americas taking place in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad from April 17 to 19.



Prime Minister Patrick gave this confirmation during a news conference at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann\'s, north of the capital, on Wednesday night.



Manning read from a letter sent to him from Obama, dated February 25, confirming his attendance.



The letter reads: \"I am pleased to confirm that I will attend the Summit. Given the challenges we face globally and regionally, I understand the importance of this event. I look forward to meeting with my 33 democratically elected counterparts and to working with you to achieve success for our region.\"



Manning also confirmed the participation of President Hugo Chavez, who will lead a delegation of more than 200 people from Venezuela to the hemispheric meeting.



The Trinidad leader, who recently underwent kidney surgery in Cuba, said he would be making a statement at the Summit calling for the reinstatement of Havana as a full member of the Organisation of American States (OAS).



Manning said the Summit, which is being hosted by the region for the first time, was being promoted as a Caribbean Community (CARICOM) initiative.



He also said Trinidad and Tobago and the rest of CARICOM stood to benefit in more ways than one from its staging of the Summit. He said one of the most significant benefits from hosting the Summit in the twin island republic would be the region\'s ability to influence developments in the hemisphere.



Manning said 600 police officers and soldiers from the region will be assisting with security arrangements for the Summit.