Ian Boxill
AT THE recent Heads of Governments meeting which was held in St Vincent and the Grenadines, CARICOM states had to deal with a number of seemingly intractable problems: the setting up of the Caribbean Court of Justice, the formation of the Single Market and Economy (SME) and the border dispute between Guyana and Suriname. Ironically, despite the criticisms from observers about the slow speed at which the regional integration process has been proceeding, from an economic and cultural standpoint, the region is perhaps the most integrated it has ever been since the formation of CARICOM in 1973. However, it must be recognised that conflicts between member countries could set back this process.
In the area of economic integration, there is now more cross-border investment than at any other time in the history of the regional movement. This process is being led, primarily, by Trinidad and Tobago and to a lesser extent Jamaica and Barbados. The development of a regional stock exchange and investment in insurance and manufacturing companies are two areas in which we have witnessed a great deal of cross-border trade and investment. There has also been cross-border investment in tourism, with Sandals leading the way. Furthermore, never before have we seen such competition in the area of air travel across the region. There are now no less than four regionally-owned airlines which are trying to become regional carriers.
Leading the way in this development are BWIA and Air Jamaica. Suriname Airlines is also flying into Barbados and there are plans to resuscitate Guyana Airlines.
In the cultural sphere, the movement of artistes and sportspersons across the region is now a common practice. The rise of sports tourism, along with the proliferation of sporting activities, festivals and carnivals, is leading to a level of interaction between people of the region that we have not witnessed since the days of the Federation.
This process has, undoubtedly, led to greater migration of Caribbean peoples from their countries to other countries within CARICOM to settle, work or for vacation.
The formation of the SME is supposed to make this movement much easier. According to Owen Arthur, the Prime Minister with responsibility for the SME, the revision of the Treaty of Chaguaramas has been completed and CARICOM has started the process which would allow the implementation of the critical protocols. Issues such as restrictions on the movement of capital and labour are still to be sorted out by some countries. What is required here is the political will and sensible leadership to advance this process. It would seem that the people of the region are way ahead of the politicians when it comes to integrating the region.
One area of concern within CARICOM is the Caribbean Court of Justice. While regional leaders have agreed to the setting up of this court, there are still issues of when it will actually begin and who will be part of it. Guyana, Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago have said that they are on board. However, some commentators are of the view that, here in Jamaica, a referendum may lead to the retention of the Privy Council as the final court of appeal. I disagree, as I have seen no widespread opposition to the court in Jamaica or any other Caribbean country.
The support for an indigenous court is quite strong in some countries. In fact, in Barbados, the Forde Commission (a Commission established to review that country's Constitution to make it into a republic), recommended that "if the court does not come into being within a reasonable period of time, Barbados should assign to (its) Court of Appeal the role and function of this country's final judicial instance".
Substantial oil reserves
I hope this development will not occur during this period in our history, even though Barbados, unlike Trinidad and Jamaica, is still subject to the jurisdiction of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. It would seem that Mr. Arthur's statement that he did not want Barbadians to be "caught loitering on the steps of the Colonial Office" struck a chord with many of people in his country.
The other area of concern for the CARICOM is the border dispute between Guyana and Suriname. This dispute is threatening to plunge the region into chaos and end good relations between these two CARICOM neighbours. Recently, the Surinamese military prevented the Guyanese government from exploring for oil in the disputed Corentyne River on the north-east coast when they moved in on the boats with the CGX Energy Inc.'s oil rig. Suriname says that their border extends from the river at a 10-degree angle, while the Guyanese argue that it is a 24-degree angle.
Hopefully, with Prime Minister Patterson as the person responsible for resolving the dispute, both countries will soon be able to benefit from what appears to be substantial oil reserves. Given the number of issues to be dealt with by CARICOM and the great progress which has been made, it would be a pity if political problems were to cause the integration movement to regress. Peace!
Ian Boxill is a sociologist who lectures at the UWI, Mona. E-mail: iboxill@uwimona.edu.jm.
