Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell has brushed aside reports that suggest there is a rift in the relationship between himself and the Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, Patrick Manning.

Dr. Mitchell told a sitting of the Lower House last Thursday that the friendship existing between himself and the Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister is a "solid one" .

Some political observers believe Grenada's decision to join other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries to purchase oil and gas from Venezuela at a cheaper cost is a slap in the face to the Manning administration following his help to the island in the aftermath of last September's destruction caused by Hurricane Ivan.

The Trinidad and Tobago leader himself took a swipe at some of the leaders at the just concluded CARICOM summit held in Castries, St. Lucia last month saying that their action will hurt the economy of his country.

According to Manning, the countries which signed up to the Petro Carib deal has benefitted financially from the sale of oil by his country. The Trinidadians played a key role in the restoration of law and order in Grenada following Ivan when Manning despatched about 200 of his soldiers to the island to take charge of security.

Thousands of dollars worth of relief supplies were shipped from the twin island Republic as well as other direct financial and other support given to statutory bodies here by their counterparts in Trinidad.

The Manning-led People's National Movement (PNM) administration donated one million dollars in emergency aid to the Spice Isle as well as joined with the rest of the CARICOM community in paying the salaries of public servants in Grenada in the aftermath of the hurricane.

Hundreds of workers attached to the Community Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme (CEPEP) were sent to St. George's by the Manning Administration to help in clearing debris in drains and on the side of the roads left over from Ivan.Hours after the hurricane struck Manning himself flew into Grenada by helicopter in search of the Grenadian leader.

Dr. Mitchell told the sitting that there is no need for people to worry about the Petro Caribe deal since the decision made by this country has not affected the relationship with Trinidad and Tobago. He pointed out that if a problem does exist then it was unlikely this country would have been able to secure a soft loan to the tune of US $68.5 million for private sector development from the oil-rich republic.

The loan which has a pay back period of 25 years is given at a rate of 2% interest with a moratorium of 5 years.