Nothing to fear in OECS-Trinidad Union

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – DESPITE concerns from Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding that parallel alliances would threaten CARICOM integration, Prime Minister the Dr. the Hon. Denzil Douglas and his Trinidadian counterpart Patrick Manning assured there is nothing to worry about.

Speaking to BBC Caribbean in June, Golding pointed to the proposed OECS-Trinidad and Tobago Union and the membership of three CARICOM member states in the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) as “issues that could destabilise and threaten the existence of CARICOM”.

Under the OECS-Trinidad and Tobago proposal, the regional grouping would form an economic and political union with Trinidad and Tobago by 2013. Meanwhile, ALBA is a cooperation organisation based on the idea of social, political and economic integration between Latin America and the Caribbean. There are nine member countries, including CARICOM states St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, and Antigua and Barbuda.

“Fellow leaders need to take a close look at these developments as they are going to distract, they are going to divert attention. The initiatives are commendable but I believe it would be to the detriment of the deepening and strengthening of CARICOM,” said Golding.

However, at a press conference in St. Kitts last week, Manning reaffirmed his commitment to the Union’s establishment.

“The economic well-being of Eastern Caribbean countries is not only a concern of their governments, but it is also a concern for larger countries because they are our major markets. We do not consider ourselves devoid of the responsibility to ensure these smaller economies maintain economic and social stability,” he declared.

Manning further stated that the people of Trinidad and Tobago supported the move, despite the “loud voices” of naysayers in the press who would have outsiders believe otherwise.

“At the beginning of the year, the government conducted a quiet poll with a focus on intra-regional integration and it got overwhelming support. There are a few who have loud voices and access to the media who have announced their opposition to the Union, and that freedom of expression is their right. 

“Persons may think that is the opinion of the majority. But these views hold a disproportionate weight in the milieu of views in Trinidad and Tobago.”

Douglas weighed in on the matter, saying he was “pleased” by Trinidad and Tobago’s desire to participate in the Union. He asserted it would bring untold benefits to the people of the region, adding that the government of St. Kitts and Nevis would do all it could to ensure the 2013 deadline was met.