Caribbean Diplomacy endangered, Caribbean soul weakened by death of Rex Nettleford
Sunday 7 February 2010
The Caribbean's foremost cultural icon, Rex Nettelford, has died and the innermost soul of the region diminished with his passing. The Commentary, "Dancing to Caribbean Drums" is an appreciation of the great contribution he made to making the term "Caribbean person" real and giving it intellectual meaning and global validation. Caribbean people were more comfortable with their identity, more proud of their skin of whatever colour, and more aware of their capacity to contribute to the world because of his teachings, his example and his leadership. (Click on "Dancing to Caribbean Drums" under Commentaries for the full text).
"Caribbean Diplomacy: An Endangered species" argues that the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) countries are neglecting the only effective instrument available to them in international affairs - diplomacy. It argues that the machinery for effective diplomacy is under-resourced and that, increasingly, heads of government are assuming diplomatic roles at the Summit without the necessary preparation and support required for such interventions. The commentary calls for a renewed recognition of the importance of effective diplomacy for small states if they are to bargain successfully in a global community dominated by big powers and intolerant of the development requirements of small countries.
Haiti's Future must not be more of the same
Friday 22 January 2010
Two commentaries were written and published on Haiti following the devastating earthquake in mid January. These commentaries draw attention to the reality that Haiti never had a chance to develop after the Haitian people fought the French for their freedom from slavery and declared their independence. France extracted reparations from the Haitian state in return for recognition of its independent status. Those reparations continued to be paid as lately as 1947. US occupation of Haiti in a brutal period between 1914 and 1934 in service to US banks to whom Haiti owed money (the same money being paid to the French) crippled the country even more. With almost 70% of its GDP paying debt obligations for over 100 years, Haiti had little to spend on developing infrastructure, providing eucation and health facilities and the means of sustainable development. The country has survived for 200 years in a cycle of daily misery for the majority of its people.
The International community - and particularly France and the US - bear a great responsibility not only to rebuild Haiti but to give it a fresh start sociallly, economically and politically.
Caribbean governments have a particular moral debt to repay to Haiti for its people fought, suffered and died in the cause of freedom from slavery and colonialism - a gift to other Caribbean countries. For this reason, CARICOM countries have an obligation to be in the forefront of efforts to unlock international assistance along the lined of the "Marshall Plan" that rebuilt Europe after Wolrd War 11.
The Haitian government and legislature also have a duty of care to remove blight and poverty from the shoulders of the Haitian people by workiing with intrernational donors and others in rebuilding Haiti and restoring its dignity on the basis of suatainable development for all and not simply to further their own narrow political ambitions. (Click on Commentraies; "Restore Haiti's Stature Now" and "Haiti's Future must not be more of the same)