CARICOM'S "CAPITULATION" SHOCKER
By Rickey Singh
Guyana Chronicle
July 5, 2003
MONTEGO BAY---Trinidad and Tobago has accused some of its Caribbean Community partners of a "capitulation shocker " by their changed positions to enter into arrangements with the USA to exempt its nationals from the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC), for war crimes or crimes against humanity.
The chare came yesterday from Foreign Minister Knowlson Gift, who said that his government had been assured up to three days ago that all those member countries that had signed and ratified the ICC treaty would avoid doing anything that could be construed as undermining the independence and legitimacy of this international institution.
And Prime Minister Patrick Manning, who flew back home yesterday to be involved in the final phase of the July 14 local government election campaign, made it clear that Trinidad and Tobago's firm support for the independence and jurisdiction of the ICC "is non-negotiable"
Trinidad and Tobago, he said, was deeply involved in helping to make the ICC a reality and "it is not now prepared to engage in any negotiation designed to undermine the independence and authority of the court".
He was speaking at a media briefing prior to his departure on the third day of the 24th Caricom Summit that concludes this evening with a communiqué is expected to include a statement on the divisive issue of excluding Americans from the jurisdiction of the ICC for war crimes or crimes against humanity.
Manning said he did not see why this stand by Trinidad and Tobago should result in any tension in the "symbiotic relationship" that exists with the USA.
Trinidad and Tobago is the single biggest supplier of liquid natural gas to the eastern seaboard of the USA, approximately 68 percent, and this represents an important security dimension" in the country's relations with America.
Manning said he expects that his CARICOM colleagues would also appreciate why his government has to be consistent in its support for the jurisdiction of the ICC of which a former Trinidad and Tobago Attorney General, Karl Hudson-Phillips, is among the panel of 18 judges.
Prime Minister Manning's Foreign Minister, Gift, was more forthright in his criticism of the shift in positions by some Caricom states on the controversial ICC issue, labeling it "a political somersault", without identifying any of the countries.
Gift told the "Chronicle" that what had transpired earlier in the week, following the cut in military by the USA to six Caricom states, was nothing less than a "virtual capitulation".
When told that at least two of his counterparts within Caricom have signaled that in the end, Trinidad and Tobago "will be standing alone" on the issue, Gift said he would prefer not to engage in head counting at this stage.
"But I can tell you that I am shocked by what has developed over the past 48 hours on this matter", he declared.
Up to three days ago, the Foreign Minister said, the government of Trinidad and Tobago had been assured of solaridity among the countries that have both signed and ratified the ICC treaty against any exemption waiver for Americans.
However, there was a dramatic shift in positions once the Bush administration had enforced a decision to cut off military aid from some 32 countries, among six from within Caricom.
Along with Trinidad and Tobago, the other countries blacklisted for cuts in military aid for now are: Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, St.Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica and Belize.