CARICOM: from dream to reality
Calvin Bowen
ANOTHER 'SUMMIT' of the Heads of Government in the Caribbean Community has ended. The deliberations of the regional leaders concentrated, as usual, on political and economic issues affecting the member countries in the group, in a continuing search for solutions to the many problems facing the region. CARICOM, created out of the ruins of the short-lived Federation of the West Indies, is a bold attempt at regional integration. The political experiment having failed, a determined effort is being made to establish a working partnership between the various islands and territories which make up the Commonwealth Caribbean. This latest 'summit' was the 20th meeting of the regional leaders. On each occasion that they meet, the leaders endeavour to move further along the road to integration. The goal of a single market and economy, the ideal to which the group aspires, remains central to the philosophy and agenda of CARICOM. After two decades, however, it would seem that progress towards the attainment of the ideal has not been as rapid as it might have been. Despite the optimism of some of the leaders, there is a view within the Community that each 'summit' merely goes through the motion of moving towards integration when, in fact, the status quo of individual sovereign rights and responsibilities are being maintained. Happily, the 20th meeting just concluded in Trinidad appeared to have gained new momentum in the right direction, and has actually set a target date for the achievement of the goal. However, it is clear that if these small nations are to have a future in the world of tomorrow, in which terms of trade and patterns of partnership are undergoing fundamental changes, there has to be more to CARICOM than the desire for closer union. The imperative of the 21st century which is about to begin is that small states have to acquire greater strength in order to cope with the challenge of an entirely new world order. Economic union Just as Europe has found itself forced to become virtually one large trading entity, in order to compete effectively in the international market-place, so the Commonwealth Caribbean has to move from its present stage of ad hoc economic and social association to a firmer and more permanent economic union. While issues such as a common currency and the free movement of goods and services, as well as of people, remain difficulties to be surmounted, they represent the principal paths by which the member countries of CARICOM can come to a position of solidarity and unity of purpose that can lead urgently to the creation of a single market and economy. Against the background of the threat to the regional banana industry, with the likelihood of the total disappearance of preferential trade agreements in the not too distant future, the Commonwealth Caribbean needs to come to the realisation that the old adage, 'Unity is strength', still holds good; and that the region must become a united force in order to protect its vital interests. Instead of putting up barriers to intra-regional trade, as has happened with respect to exports from some of the territories into others, what the members of CARICOM ought to be doing is to bind themselves together, as rapidly as possible, in an economic union or trading bloc, thus enabling the region to face up to the challenge of globalisation. V.C. Bird With the passing of V.C. Bird of Antigua, it is fair to say that the ghost of the old Federation can now be laid finally to rest. The new generation of regional leaders have the responsibility to create a vibrant and viable Caribbean Union out of the dream of CARICOM. The time has come to stop dreaming and to wake up to reality the reality of the year 2000 and beyond. Let us not share the pessimism of those who say the goal of a single market and economy will not be attained in anyone's lifetime. Rather, let us join enthusiastically with those who have the vision of a properly-integrated Commonwealth Caribbean, working together as one unit to promote and protect the economic interests of the region. When the banana industry falters, when the sugar industry gets into difficulties, when the tourist industry comes under pressure, it is not only one or two countries that will be affected. The shock waves will spread throughout the region, bringing chaos and disaster to the fragile local economies. This is a reality that has to be faced. And the more urgency is given to the situation the greater the chance of staving off economic ruin. The lesson is plain for all to see. It is time to replace the political rhetoric with pragmatic action. The year 2000 is the time to start.
Calvin Bowen is a retired assistant editor of The Gleaner.
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