President Irfaan Ali has called for unity among the Caricom States in times of disaster and at times of no disaster. Before him, another Guyanese President spoke of that continued unity when he led what is popularly known as the Jagdeo Initiative. Unfortunately other initiatives that support unity, such as the Common Market and free movement, suffered the same fate – we do not seem to be able to work together to achieve these dreams.
President Irfaan Ali, in pledging full and unconditional support to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, has appealed to sister states at CARICOM that we must work together at bad times and in good times. In acknowledging the full unity of CARICOM States with St. Vincent and the Grenadines, President Irfaan Ali has called on the States of CARICOM to let unity with each other not only blossom in times of disaster, but always. We are all small States with small populations, but one thing is certain: we carry a heavy punch when working together. Together, we can be a leading force in the world, when we work together. Caricom States have shown they have the ability to work together. But, all too often, we only show that readiness when facing disaster.
President Irfaan Ali personally leads Guyanese support for our sisters and brothers in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This week, a third shipment of goods and supplies will leave Guyana for St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This is not an option for Guyana. As our President has insisted, this is vital for our country. Guyana has stood proud anytime any of our sister CARICOM States faced disaster. In times of need, such as the great floods of 2005, and in the most recent era in the pursuit of Guyana democracy, Caricom’s sister States have been there, standing shoulder to shoulder with us. Guyana has always benefited from the generosity of the Caricom States.
But no one should ever doubt Guyana’s commitment to our sisters and brothers in Caricom. We have always, no matter the circumstances, stood still in supporting sister states in Caricom. St Vincent and the Grenadines need our support, and Guyana is not about to become an opponent. Guyana has never watched what others do; we are always ready, at the first sign of disaster, to stand in solidarity with sister states.
President Ali is leading the combined effort of the Public and Private Sector to assist our sisters and brothers in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The disaster that has struck St Vincent and the Grenadines has shown once again, in times of disasters, at times when any member of Caricom is facing difficult times, that Caricom members stand firm together. In disasters like in the current volcano eruption on Mount Soufriere, Caricom members rush to each other’s aid.
Guyana has been a beneficiary and supporter of times of disaster. One thing is certain: in the current disaster that has hit St Vincent and the Grenadines, and perhaps other States, the Government of Guyana, the Guyanese Private Sector, rich and poor Guyanese families, will come together and give whatever the we can.
However, the unity that is so evident in times of disaster does not carry over when there is no disaster on the horizon. Caricom is a collection of Caribbean States intended to combine our resources and talents so that we can maximize our development. But most times we forget that we work together for all our people. Our countries import almost US $ 5B of food from outside the Region. The sweat and blood of our farmers are allowed to be wiped out as Caricom States import, with great enthusiasm, goods and services from outside the region. Every supermarket or community store in the Caricom Provinces is packed with food items imported from developed countries.
Not only have Caricom States shown favor for trade with our large, developed neighbors, we are establishing non-tariff barriers to prevent Caricom products from circulating widely in the Caribbean. As Minister of Agriculture, I experienced the opposition to allowing Guyanese agricultural products in Caribbean country markets. Guyanese agricultural products are no less healthy or more toxic than fresh produce coming from countries outside of Caricom. Food items manufactured by Guyanese are no less healthy than those we allow from other Caribbean States to our country.
In the case of Guyana, our large agricultural land availability can be used to supply all the corn and soya that the Caribbean buys from outside the region. Guyana rice arrives in some Caribbean States, but we compete with rice from outside the Region. Guyana sugar should be in every supermarket in the Caribbean, as are our pineapple, sweet potatoes, peppers, meat and the like.
There are problems that we will have to overcome. With solidarity we can overcome these problems. The Jagdeo Initiative called for such unity to resolve and remove the obstacles. We need a new Jagdeo Initiative, so that we can realize the dream of continued unity, in good times and in bad times. President Irfaan Ali is taking up the challenge.
