A tale of two SVG’s

When you read or listen to conversations on social media and even at rum shops around the country you will think that this ‘blessed’ land of ours, (if we dare continue to use that term), is two different countries, mostly clothed in Yellow or Red, even if they are not publicly on display. Anyone who dares to defy that colour label and state things as he or she sees them, is eventually provided with a label. Any word spoken or written is scrutinised to find a word or thought that will allow him/her to be assigned a colour. If one becomes critical of the state of the country that person is considered a traitor and is considered to be guilty of some treasonable act. And is placed in the Yellow camp. Our celebration of 46 years of the recovery of our independence will not erase the colour label. Facts and data matter little since emotion, pure foolishness and idle talk become dominant.

Let us reflect on the road we have travelled over the past 45 years when with a sense of pride, we unfurled a new flag as we recaptured our Independence.

Independence in reality is about flag and anthem. The King is our head of State; the Privy Council is our final Court of Appeal on certain matters. Commonwealth citizens could vote in our elections once they satisfy a specific period of residency. We are able to open diplomatic relations with any country of our choice. Our circumstances and global politics determine our path. We had considered CARICOM to be the body that will anchor us on the global stage. The irony of this is that CARICOM is a collection of mini-states; Haiti stands out in population size although continuing to suffer the effects of daring to challenge and eventually destroying its Slave Society, driving fear among slave holders. France eventually forced that country to pay reparations. Despite the challenges the countries of CARICOM faced as they set about recovery work following the collapse of the Federation, they were able to arrive at some consensus on Cuba, a Caribbean country, thanks to the work of some of the region’s leaders who stood firm against US pressure. The American ghastly policy toward Cuba continues as we can see from efforts to sabotage its medical assistance to the region. SVG’s massive defeat of Cuba in the first football friendly paints another sad story, Cuba at one time being among the region’s top football teams. If President Trump gets through with what he is attempting to do in America, Cuba and Venezuela will be his next targets and the region will be dragged into the mess.

The Taiwan- China issue is a horse of a different colour (that word colour again). The issue has exposed the challenges of independent countries trying to forge diplomatic relations in the global community. In the OECS, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and SVG have relations with Taiwan. On the level of CARICOM, Belize and Haiti have joined them. The rest of CARICOM is with China. Taiwan in its bid for wider diplomatic recognition and a seat at the UN embraces dearly those who are willing to remind the rest of the world of their existence and readiness to be part of different international bodies. In doing so, in SVG they could be accused of getting involved in ways that overstep its diplomatic boundaries. Even among those CARICOM countries that maintain close relations with mainland China, one is not sure that they favour the one China policy, but China carries a lot of weight.

Meanwhile things might be heating up with America’s bid to have a change of regime in Venezuela. Their warships in the region reputedly sent to be engaged in stopping the drug traffic, Venezuela in America’s eyes being central to that traffic. The position being taken by Trinidad and Tobago under its new leadership might play into President Trump’s bid to achieve his objectives. There are obviously other attempts to get other CARICOM countries to accommodate America’s bid. The only good thing about recent developments is that Venezuela might put on hold its claim to areas of Guyana, but regardless of what happens, our waters will become quite rough as America’s tentacles spread across the region. Will colour matter then? Let us hope that the impending elections will show us exactly who we are and hope that we become one people.

What are the likely scenarios if the present government goes into a sixth term or there is a change in government? Will it show us exactly who we are? What will be the fate of our democracy, or does that really matter? There are serious issues before us, so we need to take a careful and balanced look at where we are and at the same time find out who we are. These are challenging times. Let us be serious and as we reflect on our 46th year of the recovery of our independence. Let us put country first. Let us remind ourselves that we as a people are what development should be about. How we act to ensure that is the big question. As we get ready to cast our votes let us reflect critically on the state of things and the players who are attempting command our attention and vote. Do we look at track records; at how people functioned before they entered the political scene? That is a good indication of how they are likely to function.

• Dr Adrian Fraser is a social commentator and historian