We must determine and define our reality - The future of CARICOM

We must determine and define our reality – The future of CARICOM

Jul 09, 2013 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
I am an optimist of CARICOM’s future. I believe that the Caribbean has a lot to do and a lot to fight for, and that the means are within our reach. But, first we must face reality; we must determine and define our reality.
The world is global village. That is reality. We must always be aware of the realities and not mistake of them. When one mistakes of them, they can be cruel. History teaches us that.
The event of major importance in the development of closer cooperation among the countries of the Commonwealth Caribbean was the summoning of the First Heads of Government Conference in July 1963 in Trinidad and Tobago by the Prime Minister of that country. The conference, the first of a series that has become a genuine Caribbean institution, was attended by the leaders of four independent countries: Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. At the conference, the leaders of these four Caribbean Countries all spoke clearly of the need for close cooperation in Europe, Africa and Latin America.
THE GEORGETOWN ACCORD
The Governments of the Commonwealth Caribbean Countries through their Heads of Delegations to the eighth Conference of Heads of Government of Commonwealth Caribbean Countries assembled in Georgetown, Guyana from 9 to 12 April, 1973. The Commonwealth Caribbean leaders who placed their signatures under Community Treaty were (Hon. Ronald O. P. Armour – Government of Dominica ), (Hon. George Hosten – Government of Grenada), ( Hon. L.F.S. Burnham – Government of Guyana), (Hon. Michael Manley – Government of Jamaica), (Hon. Robert L. Bradshaw – Government of St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla), (Hon. John Compton – Government of St. Lucia), (Hon. James Mitchell – Government of St. Vincent), (Hon. George Prince – Government of Belize), (Hon. George Moe – Government of Barbados) and (Hon. Francis Prevatt- Government of Trinidad & Tobago).
Economic integration is therefore about economic development. Economic integration usually involves the creation of a single regional market for goods, adequately protected against outside competition. The creation of such an integrated market in turn involves – first, a removal of barriers to trade (both tariffs and quantitative restrictions) among the Member Countries (thus creating a Free Trade Area); The Common External Tariff and a Common Protective Policy to protect the regional market from imports from outside countries, mainly the developed, highly industrialized countries.
The creation of a single, adequately protected regional market is not sufficient for effective economic integration – particularly in underdeveloped countries. Also needed is the adoption of certain joint coordinated actions and common policies both as between the member countries and as between the member countries as a whole and outside countries. These things help economic development?
The CARICOM Single Market & Economy is facing a difficult situation on this question, and while every effort is now being made to ensure a satisfactory relationship for all Caribbean countries with the European Economic Community, it is recognized that it will call for the highest level of statesmanship and vision from the leaders of the Caribbean countries. For, without doubt, a unified position on issues is crucial to the preservation of Caribbean integration and unity and it would be more than ironic if Caribbean leaders were to allow the integration of Europe to lead to the disintegration and disunity of the Caribbean.
The movement of skilled and trained personnel in the Caribbean, and growing awareness of the Region, has led to an increase in travel generally between member countries. This development is desirable, as it leads to better understanding of each other among the peoples of the Caribbean, and of their common cultures and backgrounds.
Consideration has therefore been given to the possibility of making such travel within the Region easier through some relaxation of the requirements for formal travel documents such as passports, etc. A Resolution was therefore adopted at the Seventh Conference of Heads of Commonwealth Caribbean Countries held in 1972, entrusting a Committee of the Ministers responsible for Immigration in the Region to examine the question and to submit recommendations to the member governments.
It was expected that by the end of 1973 it would become much easier for West Indians to travel throughout the West Indies.
Sherwood Clarke

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