by KARIN DEAR

BARBADOS DOES NOT intend to get caught up in, or follow, any path that leads to socialism despite emerging trends among several regional and global neighbours to adopt more politically leftist philosophies.

That firm view was expressed by Attorney-General Dale Marshall on Tuesday night when several thousand Barbadians from all walks of life converged on Ilaro Court for a colourful and patriotic evening celebrating this nation's 40th Independence Day.

The Attorney-General was responding to recent statements by Venezuela's leader Hugo Chavez promising to strengthen socialism in the 21st century, as well as the recent bailing out by that oil-rich country of the Arawak Cement Plant, by absorbing a $US.4 million fuel operating cost.

While acknowledging Cuba's present socialistic policies under President Fidel Castro for longer than Barbados' Independence, Marshall insisted in an exclusive interview with the SUNDAY SUN, that he was "not concerned"
by leftist trends in those countries.

"While one always has to be conscious of the emerging trends, whether they are political, economic, or legal – because you are not living in a cocoon; there is always an opportunity, not a threat but an opportunity, to draw from these emerging trends those things that you can."

The attorney-general acknowledged that there existed in Barbados as well, a socialism-oriented segment of society which would welcome a more leftist approach to governance.

"Barbados was caught up in that 30 to 40 years ago, when that was a pervasive theme not just in our political arena but also in academia," he observed. "There was a time when the university was seen as the hotbed of socialism in this country and in the region.

"I think we have gone past that and we have tried to find a path that works for us and for Barbadians.

"I think Barbados has chosen a path of development – politically, socially and economically – that represents not just a model for the region, but a model for the whole world," said the attorney-general.