Dear Editor,
The decision by Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Patrick Manning and three islands from the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to form a new alliance is correct and the way forward.
Three countries saw that Caricom, the regional grouping of countries is not going anywhere. Caricom was formed some thirty-five years ago but to date it has failed to achieve anything. Even what is agreed on is not carried out. Caricom is talk and more talk but nothing tangible happens. Caricom countries agreed to and set up the Caribbean Court of Justice, but to date only two countries have accepted the court as their final court of appeal, namely, Guyana and Barbados. Then there is the Common External Tariff (CET) which is not working as it should. Caricom countries agreed on the free movement of skills within Caricom countries. However countries are rejecting nationals from certain countries. This is the case with Guyanese nationals in Barbados, as well as certain other Caricom countries.
Caricom countries are going ahead with Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) where there will be a single currency and one market where all duties on goods within the community will be eliminated, but the way things are going implementation will not be smooth.
There is more hope for the grouping with Patrick Manning since the new alliance could achieve more at a faster rate.
Yours faithfully,
Baldeo Persaud
The Caricom countries are also fed up with the politics of Guyana they endured cooperative socialism many years ago now they must endure with a Marxist Leninist govt both saw Guyanese fleeing in great NUMBERS to anywhere they can moreso now than before.
CARICOM —-OR—– CARIGONE—-GUYANA AINT GIVING AWAY ANYMO FREEBIES……..
Interesting topic, Baldeo. of which the CSME has the best chance and the most relevance. You see, the only problem is money in the region, my friend. The money lenders held that as their exclusive right and are prepared to subvert your country if you try to break out of the chains of their control.
However, now is the opportune time, their system of greed and corruption is now crumbling on itself, and as they say, when the cat is away the mouse will play.
Now is the time for the Caribbean to break away and develop their own money system and align themselves with other South American countries that are planning to do the same. Once money starts flowing the people skills will follow in orderly fashion.
Joe.
Can someone please tell me what has Caricom achieved after all these years. It’s just a talk shop to waste money.
This is a difficult issue at this time. The world going through so many changes faster than any govt can handle.
The micro economies of the carrribbean will be absorbed by the larger economies. Like Grenada by Guyana during the Burnham years. This creates strain on the Guyana economy which help to accelerate it economical doom.Surinaam witness it local production replaced by Trinidad goods. Trinidad pm is playing Russian rulet with his oil revenue to boost his dominance in the carribbean.jamaica with more nationalistic thinking continues to rebuff any gesture from port of Spain on union. Guyana with large natural resource and oil revenue in the next seven year plan will eclipse trini dominance in the future.
Bahamas while pretend to have caricom aspiration is more align to North America for economical survival.
Caricom without polical union is the future for a long time.
This is the crowning monent ,, if thru this,, it is not clearly seen ,, then those who steadfastly hold to the Machiavellian spread of burnham in the caribbean ,, and GY ,, is in for more of the same that obtains now ,,both in and out of the region ,,
since after the caricom concept of de pnc ,, where the perfidious political doctrine of de kabaka ,, was unleashed on all GY ,, nothing has been achieved ,, that is worthy of anything to say about !,, as for the free movement ,, of the regions people — who are just abt the same ,, except for the island mentality — that has never existed and never will ,, there is more than enough evidence to support this ,,
de trinis and de bajans ,, have been at the forefront of the discriminate actions handed out ,, to scores of g’nese ,, — they tried on several occaisions to harass me bcos i use my GY p/port when visiting the region and,, had it not been for my knowledge abt the rights of international passengers INTRANSIT !,,, i would have been “benched” like many of my countrymen,, de “oil doan spoil” mentality of de trinis ,, and de servitude of de bajans to massa,, is in large part destabilisers of the lofty goals of burnham ,, in trying to be boss of all in the c’bean… this mindset ,, is part of the reason why president Jagdeo ,, is sounding like the voice in the wilderness on the signing of the infamous agreement dubbed EPA,,,
now then,, since manning ,, is embarking on his version of Machiavellian moves it should raise the red flags ,, for all in Gy to see that we need to align our nationhood to more,, much more of that,, than all the rock out croppings found in the arc in the c’bean sea,, they have by their actions in the past,, and even now with their “island mentality” is looking to demean us further !
the govt of GY,, needs for the sake of NAT”L development for the country and people ,, need to get rid of de mayah ,, of de garden city ,, and make all roads lead to Brazil ,, if for the sake of cricket we have to be part of the c’bean ,, then we will suffer the consequences that will undoubtedly follow from the want of “reasoning” for it is by being able to reason on the plateau of intelligence,, that consequences are calculated !…….