And he is urging a more "sensible" and "realistic" approach by all CARICOM states in dealing with nationals of the region, by adopting attitudes that reflect "understanding of ourselves as people of a Caribbean civilisation".

Gonsalves was at the time delivering on Wednesday night the inaugural lecture in the CARICOM-sponsored `Distinguished Lecture Series' as part of the public activities to mark the 30th anniversary of the Caribbean Community, launched at Chaguaramas, Trinidad and Tobago in 1973.

In his topic `Our Caribbean Civilisation and its Prospects', the once controversial academic of the University of the West Indies with more than two decades involvement in Caribbean politics, covered a wide range of social, political, economic and cultural issues facing a region with a "distinct civilisation".

Gonsalves' verbal salvos on "hostile attitudes" being experienced with immigration authorities at some airports within CARICOM, and "particularly affecting Guyanese, Vincentians or Jamaicans", came in his call for a more "people-friendly" approach by governments, institutions and organisations of the region in responding to the challenges for both economic and political integration.

He commended President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo, for "doing the right thing" in making as an issue at regional meetings the problems, "the outrageous attitudes" often shown towards Guyanese, declaring:

"President Jagdeo has my full support in addressing this question...I also feel strongly about the embarrassment and inconveniences people from St. Vincent and the Grenadines and others from the OECS sub-region encounter..."

He cited a recent example in his country of a Guyanese woman being given just two days by an immigration officer when she needed the requested four days to complete the purpose of her visit.

When he learnt about the incident as Minister responsible for immigration and security, he personally intervened and having satisfied himself, apologised to the Guyanese citizen, and succeeded in getting her an extension that was satisfactory.

Prime Minister Gonsalves said that with the exception of Jamaica, the members of the Rastafarian community from across the region too often have to confront the prejudices and hostility of immigration and customs services.

"This", he stressed "should not be".

Not only must the region work more expeditiously to ensure free movement of its peoples, said Gonsalves, but cultivate a culture that demonstrates self-respect and respect for others of our Caribbean family as "we defend and promote" the values and aspirations of "peoples of a unique region of the world".

He made a spirited appeal for efforts to promote forms of political integration to enhance economic integration and functional cooperation, starting if necessary with just a confederation of some of the CARICOM countries.

He also warned that unless there were significant attitudinal changes at all levels, including the region's political directorate, private sector and institutions of learning and at the service of the Community, it was quite possible that in another 50 years time, the people of this region may find themselves voting at a referendum on whether Caribbean countries should become "associated states" of the United States of America.