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Without borders
REGIONAL BONDING.Prime Minister David Thompson (left) making a point to Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerritt (right) and Grenada’s Foreign Minister Peter David during the Errol Barrow Day celebrations in Bath, St John, yesterday. (Picture by Nigel Browne.)
Published on: 1/22/2010.
CITIZENSHIP of one Caribbean country should not disqualify someone from serving in high political office in another.
That's the view of Prime Minister David Thompson, who said yesterday that such people should not be "disqualified" from serving as legislators in another island.
He was addressing thousands gathered at Bath, St John, to celebrate the birthday of National Hero and former Prime Minister Errol Barrow.
"I find it somewhat flawed that we send . . . our children abroad for education and to gain valuable insight and experience in other lands, but then tell them the legal status they would have acquired while residing in those developed countries would prevent them from serving in and helping to build their own countries as legislators.
"It gets even worse," Thompson added.
"Some existing constitutions also stipulate that even holding citizenship or having a passport from a sister Caribbean island disqualifies you from serving in your own as a legislator.
"I believe the time has come for us to review these provisions, as they will hamper and prevent us from attracting vitally needed talent in the management and administration of these islands at this critical period of our development."
Yesterday's celebrations also represented a tribute to "the three Bs" - Barrow, Guyana's former president Forbes Burnham and Antigua and Barbuda's former prime minister Vere Bird Sr.
Thompson told an audience that included re-elected Prime Minister of Dominica Roosevelt Skerritt and senior political figures from across the Caribbean, that the efforts at integration of former leaders ought not to be forgotten.
Moreover, he felt that the knowledge of former leaders still alive should be tapped.
"The 20th century was a turning point in the experience of several of these Caribbean islands and we must not permit that period and those who toiled selflessly and with great vision and determination to be forgotten.
"By the same token, several of those who served towards the end of the 20th century are still alive and mentally capable of contributing to the development of these islands," he said.
"I know the fad in the Caribbean is to source and import consultants from outside the region; but what of our former leaders? What of our former ministers of Government? What of our former legislators and leaders of the public services in the region?
"Among them exist immense wisdom, knowledge and understanding of the challenges that beset us today and I believe the onus is on us as a region to tap into that wealth of talent."
He noted that many young people did not appreciate the Barrow, Burnham and Bird connection, and how they were able to solve problems by just talking to each other instead of "shouting across the Caribbean Sea at each other".
"There was nothing called 'interfering' in each other's affairs back then," he said, adding: "CARICOM has to find a creative way of bringing our rich recent history to life."
Among those attending yesterday's all-day event were former prime minister and now Opposition Leader Lester Bird of Antigua; Foreign Minister Peter David of Grenada; former Guyana minister Dr Richard Van West Charles; and Member of Parliament and former government minister Asot Michael of Antigua. (CG)
26 comment found!
Without Borders : 1/30/2010
Too many potential political pitfalls. Too many political nests to feather. Too many different countries' people to appease. Too much water separating principalities. Too much water already flowed under the bridge. Too complicated. Too bad!
FORWARD FOREVER, BACKWARD, NEVER. : 1/30/2010
Jeff, l read your comments and l would like to say how much l appreciate your kind words. I am in agreement with you that modern Caribbean politicians have not tried hard enough for the push for Caribbean integration. I am not going to waste time debating the critics that throw out such (negatives) nonsense. They have their opinions, and they are entitled to them. They can now turn their mess on me. Nothing they say will touch me. Frankly, l will not read them. So let them take their best shots. But l strongly believe that the majority of Caribbean people will choose an United Caribbean Community. Everyone, especially our young and future generations will benefit from such a move. We can then boast of our people serving in international bodies for the betterment of the region. Prime Minister Thompson touched the right nerve here. I believe strongly that it is possible, and it can work. Fear and ignorance destroyed the chances we had many years ago, and what do we have to fear, or lose today? We have a better educated population today. New nations have evolved since Federation talks collapsed. Many Nations are coming together and that means strenght, and survival both economically and politically. Otherwise, as small, independent states, we will be at the mercies of huge nations that are waiting to devour us, and they are now devizing a World Order that spells (Slavery) control. One can argue otherwise, but ignoring history is detrimental to those that will live it. And Jeff, l am with you on this famous line that Bob Simpson quoted. It is from one of the great Fathers of Federation, Dr. Eric Williams. Forward Forever, Backwards Never. Good job, Bob.
Wait and See! : 1/29/2010
Yeah Bob Simmonds, it sounds really good when you say it really fast...Forward Forever, Backward Never. But unfortunately, you're stuck in that "Pie In The Sky" brain warp of yours. You and the rest of your ilk, will continue to let your petty jealousies, inflated egos, superiority complexes and an insatiable appetite for insularity permanently ground you-"Forward Never, Backward Forever".
Wait and See!
THANK YOU JEFF LASHLEY : 1/28/2010
Well said, Jeff Lashley. Thankfully, your comments are above goats like the one that calls itself Wooden Bus. Now that's the comic disguising himself as an Enterprising one. However, I am in total agreement with your comments, and l firmly believe that the future is now. Forward Forever, Backward Never, and Wooden Hus, l trust that termites will spare your wooden brain.
: 1/28/2010
New legislation and executive orders for the combined States and installment of President of Caricom States,with a Chief Administrator reporting to Heads of State on a Quarterly basis.
A comedian : 1/28/2010
Jeff Lashley you sound like a born comedian. Unfortunately, the time for your brand of comedy has passed. You are about a half-century too late.
Sorry, but nobody is listening to these kinds of tired jokes anymore.
Enterprising people have, you know, "MOVED ON!"
LET US TRY AGAIN, IT IS POSSIBLE : 1/26/2010
Integration, Federation. For so many years we have heard that this will never happen, and to see that we have come a long way, we are still screaming that it will never happen. The straight fact is we have not tried since the days of common sense, and what we missed most is inteligent, aticulate leaders that would take up this issue, put it on the table, and get the people to decide. We are allowing a few without vision to muzzle this issue, throwing it out with nothing new or constructive. To quote two contributors, "Pigs could fly, and others could hold their breath." Well, we have a place for those that chose such. They can keep their heads bury in the sand. To Dr. Reuben Haynes, as usual, your discussions are always inspiring. You used the words of the late Dr. Eric Williams "Together We Aspire ect." With that form of thinking, integration, a Caribbean Federation, call it what you may, is not impossible. Caribbean nationals serving in other foreign governments is nothing new as J. Payne pointed out. With all the false prophets, and those that don't believe that there are many leaders amonst us, l say to you, give them the chance, and you, swallow your false pride, sit back with your heads in the sand, and let those that can bring a decent future for our children work on this dynamic feat. A Caribbean Federation is possible, and only Caribbean people can make this possible.
non barbadian : 1/26/2010
Should be able to serve in most positions,the vise Pm and the PM not included.
: 1/25/2010
Mr Prime Minister pigs will fly first before this happens.
They could keep talking bout a CARICOM : 1/25/2010
But I already know better. I gon' keep doing what I doing rather then waste my efforts on something that will never come. When the economies of CARICOM countries are running good, the leaders say they have no time for CARICOM because to implement it will be disruptive to their economy. Similarly when the economies of all the countries are running bad, they similarly have no time for CARICOM because they say they have to help their own constituency first. So no time is ever the right time for CARICOM. Just bury it and be done let we try to get the best deal we can out of NAFTA. Every since CARICOM took their eye off NAFTA Mexico turn around and wind up with all the business for themselves. Manufacturing in Barbados collapse, the textile industry in Jamaica collapse and all the CARICOM countries competing with one another for the same industries. Offshore sector, tourism, and agriculture.
CARIBBEAN UNITY : 1/25/2010
This is just more fancy talk befitting the occasion,in my view.Only a tiny portion of the Caribbean's leaders are genuine integrationists. Most spew rhetoric about "all uh we is one" when they think the occasion warrants it,then return to their own little fiefdoms and do the nationlistic thing.
This is a secondary reason why,despite all the talk about Caribbean oneness over the years,unity remains an elusive goal.The concept of independence and sovereignty are deeply embedded in the psyche of Caribbean people living in the various territories. They find it difficult to give up an individual national identity in exchange for a generic one.
The main reason though for lack of Caribbean unity is that GOD always resists attempts of men to unite without acknowledging Him. Remember the Tower of Babel incident? You may read about it in GENESIS 10&11.
While "Religious Diversity" is mentioned in the CARICOM Charter,the Almighty is not acknowledged. Now tell me something,do you think the Creator of the Universe "gine stan fuh dah?" Didn't He state that He's a jealous GOD who will not share His glory with anyone? See EXODUS 14:14. When Caribbean leaders hold up unity as their goal without any mention of the Almighty, they're in effect making a new god. GOD will bring to naught,these efforts everytime.
GOD resisting men trying to unite without Him doesn't only pertain to CARICOM. Have you ever wondered why the League of Nations went defunct? Why the UN despite good intentions(from a human point of view),has been largely ineffective in bringing permanent stability and peace to our troubled world? Why EU member states still squabble among themselves? Why the WICB can't get it together?
Walk Holy,people. I'm out.
: 1/24/2010
Don't Hold Your Breath! : 1/24/2010
Adams and Williams were turned back at the door. That door was nailed shut, and its hinges are now rusted and frozen. Today's leaders will need more than exalted rhetoric and lofty visions to make it yield. They'll need steady, deliberate, concentrated action and the will of the people of all Caribbean Nations to make a breakthrough. We will have to join our leaders in putting all our shoulders to the door to obliterate generations of insularity, jealousy and pettiness. The passage of time has brought many physical changes, but human nature is immutable, ours included. So, don't hold your breath!
TOGETHERNESS : 1/24/2010
THERE ARE FIVE FINGERS ON EACH HAND AND IT TAKES TWO TO CLAP, WE NONE OF US ARE MEANT TO FUNCTION ON OUR OWN WERE IT NOT SO THERE WOULD BE NO OTHER PEOPLE,OTHER THAN OURSELVES.
TOGETHER WE ASPIRE, TOGETHER WE ACHEIVE : 1/24/2010
Great ideas, and great visions come from great minds. The time has come for Caribbean integration, one citizenship. Mr. Thompson striked a positive note that should revive this debate that is crumbling before ou eyes. Yes, our former great Leaders are no longer with us, and what are our present Leaders doing to save the Caribbean Nation States today. Certainly, in each Caribbean States there are talents that must be nurtured, shared, and use for the survival of the region. I totally disagree with those that think this or that island will corrupt or change any host country. The future is ours, the arguments that World Order, or some bigger nation invading our Island Nations are real. We must revisit the dreams of Williams, Adams, Barrow, and others, and put their wisdom to the test. It may be too late if we continue with our selfish pride. America, and others are patiently standing by.
Pipe Dream : 1/23/2010
Ain't never happened before. Ain't going to happen now. Ain't going to happen in the future either. Better chance that "a camel will pass through the eye of a needle!"
Choose wisely : 1/23/2010
I think a person should be living in the country for at least 10 years before they can be a political representative. While their expertise and opinion would be welcomed, it is unfair to the public to have an outsider come and act on their behalf. What if these other pple have their own hidden agenda?
Place of Birth! : 1/23/2010
What do you expect him to say,he was not born in Barbados,only his parents.If he ws Barbadian born then it will be another story.Concern!
@ Marcia Bruce : 1/22/2010
I respectfully disagree with the your opinion that a non-national should not be able to be elected in such a capacity. I am in disagreement because Barbadians too have been elected or appointed to serve in states, provincial, and federal governments around the world despite the fact they were born in Barbados. Their capacity to be good leaders alone may have been the determining factor. Barbadian-born and former Canadian Senator Anne Cools comes quickly to mind, she is that country's first person of colour to have been elected to the upper house there. I believe if an individual can prove that they will be an asset, then perhaps they should have a chance to stand for election. Locally, the law should state they they would have to declare the following to the Elections and Boundaries Commission: What citizenship(s) do they presently or have they held in the past 10-20 years (including "economic" -types of citizenship(s), if they were a non-national that they entered Barbados lawfully, produce a writ of good-character to ascertain they haven't broken any major laws (in all the places they have lived), declare they aren't on any state list of condemned persons or terrorists (since they may hide behind Barbados by way of international diplomatic immunity), declare that they aren't on a list of persons charged with treason. If they feel they can make a contribution they should be allowed to seek office. I don't believe they should have the right lawfully to inject any direct- foreign influence into the Barbados government though esp. if they pledge allegiance to that government. (E.g. if someone was born in Grenada and is then able to enter the government of Barbados and serve only as a mouth piece of Grenada's ruling party.) That would not be just in my opinion.
: 1/22/2010
A non Barbadian should not be serving in such a capacity. I totally disagree with you Mr Thompson.
Without borders : 1/22/2010
Optimist Prime, please advise us what skills those people that were deported brought to Barbados.Break the law and suffer the consequences.Cheesecutter, are you saying that the best talents think the grass is greener on the other side. Talented but not clever, hmmm.
Human Beings : 1/22/2010
From reading, the Prime Minister is saying the time is NOW and that all we have as a people of a small nation
Without borders : 1/22/2010
This is why we have Cari-com. If we all serve our individual countries then we can also contribute to the welfare of the region from the local podium. What will stop one Island from attracting the best talent while some other Island is lacking in leadership or the best talent they have because of greener pastures in Barbados.
without borders : 1/22/2010
You must be out of your mind.
The party that deports now calls for unity : 1/22/2010
Would Barrow, Burnham and Bird have had an iron-fist, hard-line, inhumane immigration deportation policy? I think not. Now we know what the problem is. Change that does not make sense.
Not just CARICOM countries.... : 1/22/2010
Not just CARICOM countries. This policy should be open for citizenship in the USA, UK, Canada, etc. or any of the other of the "poles" where there are a large number of West Indians. It makes sense to allow West Indians to go abroad and hone or sharpen their skills in the first world countries of the world, and then be able to come back and contribute to the local political scene. The Asians have done this for years. People from Indian traveled to the United States and learned the technology industry there and then returned to mesh their economy to the needs of US business. But besides them other Asians have traveled to America and all these other places, to learn how things are done there and then they bring those skills back home and improve upon them. The following article tells you the extent of the numbers of Barbadians in Reading, UK. -- http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/berkshire/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8291000/8291592.stm
What I would agree with, is that if any person in the Barbadian government is found to be acting by influence of ANY foreign nation to the detriment of Barbados (whether in CARICOM or not), there should be a framework for an investigation and possible framework of removal from government. For example, (I believe) David Thompson was born in Britain? However to-date I can't think of anything that he has done that would show him as acting under the influence of that foreign allegiance which he holds.
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