BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – PERMANENT SECRETARY (PS) in the Ministry of National Security Astona Browne this morning (May 12) said that CARICOM continues to regard the decolonisation process of the remaining territories as fundamental to Caribbean regional integration.
The PS was at the time delivering the welcome address at the opening ceremony of the Caribbean Regional Seminar on Decolonisation held at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.
“Given the geographical proximity and cultural ties of the people of the Caribbean, it should not be surprising that the Caribbean Community continues to regard the decolonisation process of the remaining territories as fundamental to Caribbean regional integration.
“Indeed, seven of the remaining 16 listed non self-governing territories are in the Caribbean, and the people of the CARICOM region recall the decolonisation exercise they underwent not that long ago. In fact, St. Kitts and Nevis achieved its independence in 1983 and this was the last territory in the region to do so,” the PS told the delegates.
She also noted that the Federation’s membership on the Special Committee on Decolonisation, together with other member states of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), signals their understanding of the process.
“As we reflect upon our own experience, as former island territories, the elements of the free associated statehood model which obtained between the West Indies Associated States and the United Kingdom was of particular value to us,” she added.
PS Browne informed the gathering that CARICOM has also endeavoured to include the non self-governing territories in its regional institutions, pointing out that three of those territories are members or associate members of the OECS.
“One,” she explained, “is a full member and five are associate members of CARICOM. Additionally, five territories are members of the Caribbean Development Bank, while the official currency of Anguilla and Montserrat is the same Eastern Caribbean currency used by their independent neighbours. Further, six listed territories are associate members of the United Nations Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee, and a number of the territories enjoy formal status with United Nations bodies such as UNESCO, ECLAC, FAO, UNDP and others.”
She also explained that this continued integration of the territories in regional and international institutions serves to further inform their decision on self-determination.
PS Browne emphasised the point that St. Kitts-Nevis and sister CARICOM member states continue to monitor the situation in the Turks and Caicos Islands with much interest.
“The CARICOM position on this matter calls for deeper reflection by all involved in order to arrive at a solution that will minimise constitutional disruption.”
Quite recently, the British government had suspended the Constitution of the Turk and Caicos Islands and indicated its plans to resort to direct rule over the Islands.
Reports coming out of London stated that a Commission of Inquiry was head by Sir Robin Auld and it found that evidence of widespread corruption in the then Michael Missick-led government, which led to his resignation as Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The PS welcomed the delegates who came from countries as near as Anguilla and as far as Africa, Europe, and South and Central America.
The three-day Seminar is sponsored by the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonisation, which was created in 1962 by the General Assembly of the United Nations. Its principal mandate is to monitor the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples and to make recommendations on its application.
