Why we need: (1) Obama to win, (2) to review EPA

There is so much to write about this week. I could literally take up the whole newspaper with my thoughts. With the ongoing saga of Political Union in the Caribbean, the frightening reaction in the local media to the establishment of diplomatic relations between Iran and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Olympics and CARIFESTA, there is certainly no shortage of issues. But today I settle for two matters of an international nature with significant bearing on our future.{{more}}

First, the official designation of Barack Obama as the Presidential candidate of the Democratic Party in November’s elections in the United States of America. Modern communication technology enables even the blind and deaf among us to be aware of the US Presidential elections. Therefore, my comments do not focus on the Convention of the Democratic Party, the moving addresses of Michelle Obama and Hilary Clinton (Obama’s own address came after press time), or the momentum generated by that Convention.

Rather, it is appropriate to examine the significance of the Obama challenge and what it means for people like us. Never has a US Presidential campaign impacted so much on Caribbean people as this one, all because of Barack Obama. In its wake, the attention is raising the hopes and expectations of hundreds of millions the world over, expectations which not even the best of Obama can fulfill, given the American power structure. Nevertheless, that a black man can not only rise to be selected as Presidential candidate for one of the two major US political parties is a marvelous feature in itself, even in the 21st century. That he has more than a realistic chance of becoming President is downright astonishing.

Obama’s progress is not only an inspiration for all black people, it is also important for US politics and American society itself. Much is spoken of the “American dream” and the USA as “the land of opportunity”, so many will use Obama’s ascendancy to justify the fairness of American society. Even those forces which intend to maintain the status quo to exploit the poor, to discriminate against immigrants, to ruin the hopes and dreams of millions of American families, will hypocritically claim just that. Barack has reached where he is, in spite of the efforts of these same people, and those dreams and opportunities can only be realized, not by keeping US society as it is, but by fundamentally changing it. Obama is but one step along the way, a highly significant one nevertheless.

The mass movement generated by his campaign provides a wonderful opportunity to change the perception of US politics and the image of the United States in the world at large. There is much that is great about the USA, other than its vast resources, but the positives are often shrouded by the imperial actions of US capital and obliterated by the ravages inflicted on millions by the misadventures of its military. Before there was healing of the wounds of South East Asia, new ones were opened in Nicaragua, Panama, our own Grenada, Iraq and Afghanistan. The image of a just and fair America was severely damaged by the horrors faced by the Guantanamo and Abu Gharib prisoners. America needs Obama to atone for such a shame.

In fact, those who are conscious of the worst actions of this seemingly all-powerful giant-in politics, trade, economics and war, even in the sporting and cultural realms, often are in danger of sliding into an almost automatic anti-Americanism. But the American people are not our enemies. What is desirable is a new relationship between this mighty nation and small nations like ours, based on mutual respect, justice and fairness. It is in our best interests to have excellent relations with the United States, but those principles, rather than subservience, must underpin those relations.

Obama is also a powerful unifying force. Not just in US politics but in our own society as well. CARICOM leaders may disagree over the pace of integration, they and their Opposition leaders may diverge on many policy issues, yet it is fairly safe to assume that to a man, they support Obama. Barack’s candidacy has the capacity to gain common ground among Ralph and Arnhim, putting the divisive Caribbean Democratic Union pushed by the Republican party of his rival, John Mc Cain, into the background. It will be as welcome to Kenny Anthony as to Stephenson King.

Which brings me to the conclusion, if only our unanimity over Obama could be achieved in regard to such matters as the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between CARICOM and the European Union (EU)! For five long years, civil society organizations in the Caribbean have been trying to get our governments and people to treat the EPA negotiations as seriously as they deserve. The Agreement is a long-term, binding one which will have implications both for any future trade agreements say with the USA and Canada, as well as in the World Trade Organization (WTO) itself. Government left it up to the negotiators, the Regional Negotiating Machinery (RNM). They cannot now blame the RNM for what has been initialed. What is now clear is that there is substantial disquiet, even at the level of Heads of Government, in regard to what we are committing ourselves to over an extended period. The official signing has been postponed three times now. Civil society organizations, leading academics, the labour movement are all clamouring for a reflection before we commit. What is wrong with that?

If, as President Jagdeo of Guyana claims, we are being pressured to sign; if, as our own P.M. Gonsalves claims, it is the best that could be negotiated, then, after exploring all avenues, we must tell the world, like an accused forced to sign a “confession”, that the EPA does not represent what we want, the old empire is backing us into a corner. We must not allow Europe’s capitalists and their representatives to come out white washed. In the meantime, we must urge our governments, to even at this late stage, at least listen to, hear and respect the voices of our people before rushing in to sign.

Renwick Rose is a community activist and social commentator.