Strengthening Caribbean/US relations

How much significance must we attach to the visit of the Caribbean political leadership to Washington for official engagements with their US counterparts? CARICOM Heads of Government, Foreign Ministers from the region and a high-powered entourage were this week in the US capital holding discussions at the highest level, with President George W. Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of Commerce Carlos Guitieuez, House Speaker Nancy Relos; and other influential members of the Congress on Capital Hill.{{more}} Will much benefit accrue to the Caribbean as result of these interactions?

It is far too early to give a definitive answer to the latter question but strategically and in terms of its timelines, the visit is certainly of great import to the region. For one, there is the location of the Caribbean, in what is called the “soft underbelly” of the United States and both straddling the US-South America Axis as well as providing a link westward to Central America. The Caribbean has therefore had strong historical ties to the USA which go all the way back to the days of slavery and trading links predating even George Washington’s time.

As a result there is no other part of the world to which Caribbean people have flocked in such droves, no other place that they identify, mistakenly or not, as being synonymous with “freedom” and “prosperity.”

In recent years it is true to say that Caribbean-US relations have not exactly had that same level of cordiality as in the past. One factor has been the American perception of the global importance of the region in light of the Cold War thaw and particularly following the 1983 invasion of Grenada. With the Caribbean this “tamed”, the US could afford to ignore its legitimate social and economic aspirations. Even the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI), a trade preference pact given the Caribbean easier access to the US market is due to expire next year with no indication as yet from Washington as to its extension.

The quest to maintain the CBI benefits is but one of a host of trade matters troubling the region. An end to CBI preferences would co-incide with Europe’s own loosening of preferential arrangements under a proposed Economic Partnership Agreement with critics looking askance at the “partnership” principle. Then there is clear evidence of the Caribbean being put on the backburner, the paucity of US assistance to the region driving home the point. Instead it is Washington’s priorities which are given precedence- George Bush’s war against “terrorism” the interdiction of the drug trade and noble lectures about our needs to build “more competitive” economies and a “business-friendly environment.”

The people of the Caribbean expect our leaders to forcefully put forward OUR priorities and to at least be able to engender a more reasoned understanding of the Caribbean’s path to socio-economic development. The “Big Brother” syndrome, the “do as you are told” approach; simply will not work in an independent, increasingly assertive Caribbean. Disagreeing with aspects of US foreign or trade policy in no way implies a lessening of our respect for our northern neighbours nor a weakened commitment to the cause of freedom and democracy. Our perspectives on these issues matters to us, if not to others and must be given equal weight and consideration.

It is in the best interest of the people of both the Caribbean and the United States that state-to state relations and co-operation be strengthened. But it must be on the basis of respect for each other, we are all independent entities in the family of the United Nations. We have mutual interests in the fight against terrorism and drugs. Caribbean blood was equally shed in 9/11 and Caribbean sons and daughters are increasingly becoming victims of the nefarious drug trade to satisfy “sickos” in the US market. Heavy-handed regulations which place unreasonable burdens on our tax-payers to try to ensure US homeland security is surely not the way to go. As Guyana’s President Jagdeo has pointed out, we need US assistance in coming to their aid.

Similarly on crime, it is now well-documented that the US policy of deportation of criminals with immigrant connection is only helping to spread what was a US inner-city problem to one of global proportions. It is these same deportees who are bringing their US-acquired “expertise” to it not time to reconsider? Reconsideration is being forced by Congress on the infamous passport issue which has serious implications for Caribbean tourism.

This new spirit of realism is what Caribbean people would like to see emerge from this week’s talks in Washington. An understanding that we wish to continue to be genuine friends of the USA but reserve the right to develop new relationships internationally, that the climate of intransigence in world trade talks are hurting the Caribbean and helping to undermine the pillars of freedom and democracy that we have so painstakingly erected; that we are sovereign people willing to work hand in hand with the USA and the world body of Nations to enrich world human civilization in which our own Caribbean civilization has a distinctive role to play.