PM distances self from pro-federation confab
Jamaica Gleaner
published: Friday | December 13, 2002
CARICOM OPPOSITION leaders may be invited to join Heads of Government in bipartisan talks on consensus and an agreed strategy on critical issues related to accelerating the regional economic integration process.
Prime Minister P.J. Patterson made this disclosure in a statement he issued yesterday, in which he denied reports of discussions of a new effort toward a West Indian Federation, said to be the aim of a meeting to be held in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, in January 2003.
Mr. Patterson said he had been advised by Prime Minister Patrick Manning of Trinidad and Tobago, at a reception in Cuba, that he and several Caribbean leaders had been talking about the economic prospects "for a number of nation-states and the need to deepen co-operation in areas that would enhance the quality of life for the people of the Caribbean."
He said that Mr. Manning indicated his willingness to host a meeting in Trinidad, early in the new year, to which would be invited CARICOM heads of Government and leaders of the Opposition from member-states.
"I wish to make it clear that Jamaica does not contemplate being engaged in any meeting convened with the aim of establishing a West Indian Federation in any shape or form," he said.
Associated Press reported from Port-of-Spain on Wednes-day that "Caribbean leaders plan to meet in Trinidad next month to discuss possibilities for political integration in the region, Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister said."
The report also stated that the leaders had agreed during their recent visit to Cuba to celebrate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Cuba and Caribbean states to meet in Trinidad and Tobago next year. Mr. Patterson's statement read:
"I categorically deny having been involved in any discussions, either in Havana or elsewhere, at renewing efforts towards a form of political federation among Caribbean countries, which would include Jamaica.
"At no time during the recent celebrations in Havana was I alerted by anyone to a proposal 'to talk seriously about the possibility of yet a new political integration at a meeting next year.'
"Let me set out what transpired while in Cuba.
"During a reception given by our host, the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Patrick Manning advised me that during the plane journey from Bridgetown, he and a number of Caribbean leaders had been talking about the economic prospects for a number of nation states and the need to deepen co-operation in areas that would enhance the quality of life for the people of the Caribbean.
"He indicated his willingness to host a meeting in Trinidad, early in the new year, to which would be invited, CARICOM heads and leaders of the Opposition from member states.
"I understood that such a meeting was intended to search for bipartisan consensus and an agreed strategy on a range of critical issues related to accelerating the process of regional economic integration. This would be in accordance with the decision of CARICOM Heads during the Special Session at Chaguaramas held in October 1999.
"There, at Chaguaramas, Heads of Government 'had agreed that, the political opposition should be brought in as partners into the framework of the consultation in the regional integration process.'
"It is against this background I enquired of Prime Minister Manning whether the proposed meeting would not also benefit from the participation of regional leaders of civil society, so as to allow for the broadest base on which the discussions should proceed to advance the common interests of our Community. This Prime Minister Manning promised to consider.
"It was accepted that the date for such a meeting would have to be the subject of further consultations, taking into account, existing engagements and the timing of the Intersessional Meeting of Heads.
"I cannot speak for any head of Government who was involved in the conversation while en route from Bridgetown to Havana, but at no time did I understand or anyone else indicate to me that their Government saw 'political integration as a major part of the solution.' Nor did anyone in my presence there express an enthusiasm to talk seriously about the possibility of a new political integration.
"The commitment of this administration to regional economic integration is well known. We will remain active and continue to play a leading role within a deepened and expanded CARICOM and remain committed to its deepening and expansion.
"A meeting held for the purposes as were conveyed to me in Havana and so understood would, in my view, remain useful and timely but I wish to make it clear that Jamaica does not contemplate being engaged in any meeting convened with the aim of establishing a West Indian Federation in any shape or form."