BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – JUST days before United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s meeting with regional leaders, CARICOM Chairman and Barbados Prime Minister, Hon. Mia Mottley has expressed her concern over what she described as a threat to divide the region.
Mottley, one of the region’s most outspoken leaders, fears came as only several regional leaders were selected to attend the meeting, which is being held in Kingston, Jamaica today and tomorrow (Jan. 21 and 22).
Speaking at a gala to celebrate the centenary of the birth of Errol W. Barrow on Saturday night (Jan. 18), PM Motley said the region must check itself to ensure that it is not becoming pawns of others.
“I am conscious that when Errol Barrow stood and remarked that ‘we shall be friends of all and satellites of none,’ little did he know that that statement would be embraced by every single Prime Minister of government that succeeded him. It is as valid today, perhaps even more so than it was at the time of its initial delivery.
“And I say so conscious that principles only mean something when it is inconvenient to stand by them. Conscious that this region must always cheek itself to ensure that we not become the pawns of others, the satellites of others, but that we keep every most and uppermost in our minds what we must do for our people without simply becoming pawns on a chessboard for others to be able to benefit from.”
This is not the first time not all regional leaders were not invited to attend meetings with US Officials.
Last year, several regional leaders were invited to have discussions with US President Donald Trump at his Mar Lago Resort in Florida.
PM Mottley acknowledged that questions would arise in the coming weeks over Barbados’ absence from the Kingston meeting, adding that she is not looking to pick fights.
“I don't look to pick fights, but I am conscious that if this country does not stand for something, then it will fall for anything. As Chairman of CARICOM, it is impossible for me to agree that my Foreign Minister should attend a meeting with anyone to which members of CARICOM are not invited. If some are invited and not all, then it is an attempt to divide this region.”
Meanwhile, Premier Mark Brantley indicated that the twin-island Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis would likely be present at the Kingston meeting.
According to media reports, Brantley confirmed that the US Secretary of State had extended an invitation to the Federation for the bilateral meeting.
