Eustace not in favour of 4-way Political Union

The move towards political union by 2013 between four Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member countries, including St Vincent and the Grenadines, is at this time a colossal waste of time.{{more}}

“It is a laudable desire, but it isn’t feasible at this time,” said Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace about the recent announcement of the plan which was discussed during a meeting between the leaders of the four countries in Trinidad last week.

He said that while he also shares the sentiment that the regional countries should get closer, eventually leading to a political union, this latest initiative only serves to divert attention from more crucial matters facing the region and, more specifically, this country.

“That is not where our focus should be right now. We can’t even straighten the EPA. That should be our priority. That and the economic union within the OECS and getting the CSME going,” Eustace said.

At a press conference on Monday, August 18, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves defended the move.

“I know at an operational level some individuals may say but why is it that you going towards an economic union when there is something within CARICOM for a single economy…It is unlikely that we are going to reach a single economy by 2015 or indeed whether some countries are willing to go to single economy,” said Dr. Gonsalves.

Eustace had another area of concern.

He said that such a decision should have included national consultations, including discussions with the opposition parties in the various countries, so that a national consensus could be put in place going forward.

He voiced his frustration over what he termed just another initiative that starts off gains some momentum and eventually dies.

“Quite frankly, I don’t think anything is going to come of it (the political union initiative). Let us keep our focus on the issues that are at hand,” Eustace said.

On Thursday, August 14, the leaders of Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines, during a meeting in Trinidad, affixed their signatures to a joint declaration that the four countries will move towards the establishment of a political union by 2013.

A study regarding “achieving the modalities which have been set” is to be prepared by former St Lucian Prime Minister Dr Vaughan Lewis and Trinidad and Tobago Diplomat Dr Cuthbert Joseph. (KJ)