Feb 23
“Crisis” is one of those words that is used so much that it has practically lost its meaning. And if there were a competition among regional organisations on which of them was most often said to be “in crisis”, my bet would be on Caricom winning by a wide margin…
Excellent! Position,interest about regionalism in the Caribbean. No easy! I thank the focus and the special signature-style in your papers.
20th years after “Time for Action Report”, so…. So hard!The work is continuing!
Best regard from Caracas.
Since writing “Cari-Crisis” I have seen the letter from PM Gonsalves to SG LaRocque. It covers a far wider range of issues than mentioned in the Rickey Singh column, upon which my comment was based. It is evident that a very important part of Gonsalves’ concerns is the treatment of the OECS by Caricom over the CLICO/BAICO failure, LIAT, the St Vincent and Dominica International airports, and the Caricom Development Fund. A close reading (and between the lines) of the letter) leads one to the conclusion that the Prime Minister is bitter and disenchanted with his regional colleagues, and that much of this is directed at the Governmenrt of Trinidad and Tobago. I draw readers’ attention especially to the following cryptic sentenecs on page 6
“The CLICO-BAICO conundrum represents, arguably, the greatest danger to the integrity of CARICOM if it is not resolved speedily, fairly, and cooperatively. This matter has the potential to wreck CARICOM; and this is not hyperbole.” (page 6, my emphasis).
Norman