CARICOM'S ICC MANDATE FOR MANNING
--- Guyana awaits meeting outcome
By Rickey Singh
Guyana Chronicle
July 19, 2003
BRIDGETOWN---THE Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is to shortly mandate Prime Minister Patrick Manning to discuss with President George W Bush a general waiver for Community states against having to enter bilateral agreements with the USA exempting American nationals from prosecution by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
This significantly new development has resulted from the Bush administration's enforcement of sanctions against six CARICOM states, among them Trinidad and Tobago, as of July 1. The sanctions or penalty debars the so-called CARICOM Six from receiving further US military assistance for failing to sign bilateral immunity agreements with Washington to protect American citizens from ICC jurisdiction.
The "Chronicle" was yesterday reliably informed that having been advised of an impending official visit to the USA by Prime Minister Manning, during which he will meet with President Bush, CARICOM leaders are to seek his involvement in presenting a case on behalf of the entire Community for a general waiver against the bilateral agreements being sought by Washington.
Manning had briefed his Community colleagues about his forthcoming official visit to the USA during a caucus session on USA-CARICOM relations at the recent Summit in Montego Bay. He also assured them of his willingness to show the "CARICOM flag" in Washington in the interest of regional unity.
His Foreign Minister Knowlson Gift was unavailable up to late yesterday for confirmation that Prime Minister Manning's proposed visit to Washington on US--Trinidad and Tobago relations could take place not later than mid-September.
For his part, Prime Minister Lester Bird of Antigua and Barbuda is reported to have outlined to CARICOM's current chairman, Prime Minister P. J. Patterson, the basis of the case for a general waiver for CARICOM against the bilateral exemption agreements to protect Americans from ICC prosecution for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Along with Barbados, the other five countries being penalized by termination of US military aid are Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica and Trinidad and Tobago.
Prime Minister Bird would not go beyond confirming that he has "communicated some suggestions" to Prime Minister Patterson on the issue of United States pressure to secure exemption agreements with CARICOM states against the ICC jurisdiction as it may affect American citizens.
However, the "Chronicle" was informed that the Jamaican Prime Minister has in fact already concurred with the "suggested approach" by Antigua and Barbuda for Prime Minister Manning's involvement in presenting a case for CARICOM when he meets with President Bush.
The Antigua and Barbuda approach is for Manning to proceed with "full authority" to raise with Bush the possibility of a general waiver, under his presidential discretion, to avoid CARICOM countries having to enter into bilateral "surrender" agreements.
This, Bird feels, should be done ahead of CARICOM states moving separately to negotiate bilateral 'non-surrender' pacts with Washington.
Meanwhile, the Office of President Bharrat Jagdeo in Guyana yesterday sought to clarify an earlier media report of his government's reported readiness to enter into a bilateral arrangement with the USA to grant immunity for Americans from ICC prosecution.
It was explained that "it is no more an agreement in principle" that would have to await Guyana's readiness to ratify the Rome Statute governing the functions and jurisdiction of the ICC.
Like other CARICOM states, including Jamaica and St. Lucia, Guyana signed but did not ratify the ICC treaty. It is hoping to do so when Parliament comes out of recess after October 10.
In any case, Guyana’s position will be determined by the outcome of Manning’s efforts to have the general waiver for the region.
President Jagdeo yesterday wrote to Prime Minister Bird on Guyana’s position, which is consistent with the position taken by Heads at their Montego Bay summit.