Bush raises issue of Venezuela, Cuba

President of the United States George W Bush has raised the issue of Venezuela and Cuba with the leaders of Caricom.

According to Chairman of Caricom Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, the President shared his views on the matter with the 14 Caribbean leaders who met with him in Washington on Wednesday.{{more}}

Stressing that President Bush did not raise the issue in a contentious manner, Dr. Gonsalves said that the President made it clear that he is not asking them to break off relations with those countries, nor will he cut assistance from the US if the ties continue.

Dr. Gonsalves told the media that President Bharret Jagdeo of Guyana responded on behalf of Caricom, and spoke in “practical, non-ideological terms” about the assistance Caricom member states get from Cuba and Venezuela which is “in no sense, anti-America”.

President Bush, according to PM Gonsalves, accepted that position, but however stressed that he has a passion for freedom and liberty, which he thinks comes from God, and therefore he will be an “evangelist for freedom”.

In response to a question from a member of the media whether he would temper his language and support for Cuba and Venezuela as a result of President Bush’s remarks, Dr. Gonsalves declared that Cuba and Venezuela do not need him or any other Caribbean country to defend them. He said that what St. Vincent and the Grenadines does defend, is their relationship with the two Spanish speaking countries.

The Caricom chairman explained that he is in the process of building mature relationships with those countries. He said that Cuba and Venezuela have never asked anything of any Caricom country. “We have some sets of relationships with them which we find to be productive, and others with the United States which we find to be productive. We are a free and independent people, and our voice in earlier times was uncertain, as we stood amidst the alien corn. Now, we are coming into our own and speaking with our voice, … and that is a more mature, reflective voice… The very globalization which has presented a challenge to all of us, is the very modern globalization which has enabled us to face the world with greater confidence and at the same time come home more decisively in our own interest.” (CK)