Manning

PORT-OF-SPAIN (Trinidad Express):

Specially invited guests will sit down to a campaign fund-raising dinner with Prime Minister Patrick Manning next week - at a cost of $100,000 each.

The event entitled 'Conversations with the Prime Minister' is an initiative of the public relations committee of the ruling People's National Movement (PNM).

The black-tie gala dinner is scheduled to take place next Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. at Pier 1, Chaguaramas, which is owned by the family of Tourism Minister Howard Chin Lee. If the event recruits 200 paying customers, it will net $20 million for party coffers.

Sources told the Express that the event was being handled with extreme caution and secrecy and invitations were sent to select persons.

The notification of the event states that since the PNM was re-elected in 2002, the party has acted swiftly in an effort to develop all citizens as the Vision 2020 was pursued.

The PNM's commitment to improving infrastructure, revitalising communities and towns, developing the economy as well as challenging and supporting all citizens to aspire and achieve their dreams were included in the notification.