"TOTAL NONSENSE", was how Dr. Paul Robertson, Minister of Foreign Affairs, reacted yesterday to local criticisms of Prime Minister P.J. Patterson's recent G-15 Summit speech in Cairo.
"I must confess that I was surprised and disappointed to note the views of some commentators in the media, who seem to feel than an attempt to insert equitable considerations in discussions on international economic relations is either rhetorical flashbacks, or placing ourselves as victims in the international system. That is just total nonsense," Dr. Robertson told the House of Representatives, as he spoke in the Sectoral Debate.
Mr. Patterson, in delivering Jamaica's statement to the 10th G-15 summit of developing countries in Cairo, Egypt, accused rich countries of consigning developing countries to the "graveyard of penury."
The statement has been interpreted by some local observers, including Bruce Golding, National Democratic Movement president, as harping back to 1970s anti-rich left-wing rhetoric.
Problems
Dr. Robertson, however, did not make reference to Mr. Golding's speech made at the Advertising Agencies Associa-tion of Jamaica's media awards last week. Mr. Golding had described Mr. Patterson's speech as representing an outdated view of attacking the rich for the problems of the poor.
Dr. Robertson told the House: "What they appear to be suggesting is that we should accept the realities and confine our activities to understanding what are the rules and adapting them to suit our own reality. I submit that this is not good enough and, as a government, we cannot proceed on the basis of a meek acceptance of policies and strategies imposed upon us."
He said it was the Govern-ment's duty to the Jamaican people to seek to influence the shaping of the international system in a way which will be to its advantage. That could only be achieved by joining forces with other developing countries and help to shape policies and institutions governing the conduct of international economic relations through combined efforts.
Dr. Robertson said that Mr. Patterson had sought to advance the interests of Jamaica and other developing countries by his active participation and advocacy of these interests at the summits in both Havana and Cairo.
He said that it was "vitally important" that Jamaica remain engaged in the international arena at the highest level, to ensure that its voice is heard, its concerns raised, its interests advanced and its objectives promoted.
"It is unfortunate and saddening, therefore, that the naysayers in our midst continue to deride and seek to belittle these immense efforts, which are being mounted at the global level to influence the pace and direction of globalization in keeping with our own interests," he said.
"In any case, the naysayers miss an essential point. While seeking to reform the system, we are also working on developing co-operation arrangements among ourselves -- this is what South-South co-operation is all about," Dr. Robertson said.
