The passing of the baton in CARICOM

Anthony Hylton, Contributor

Edwin Carrington's retirement as secretary general of CARICOM, effective December 31, marks the end of an era in the colourful, if sometimes frustrating, efforts at building a CARICOM community, including a CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). Will we look back at this period as the apogee of the integration movement, or, will this be just another sign-post to something grander and better?

A perspective on the issue is relevant since most of the comments, so far, have focused on the failures of CARICOM to fulfill the aspirations of a great many of the region's people. Secretary General Carrington, from this perspective, is viewed variously as part of this failing and some even suggest that he, as head of the Secretariat, is the reason for much of the failures to date.

As former minister/ambassador in the People's National Party (PNP) administration of the period 1991-2007, I had the privilege of working closely with Edwin Carrington, first as secretary general of the African, Caribbean & Pacific (ACP) group, and then as secretary general of CARICOM. In both capacities, he served the interests of the region with distinction, born of his commitment, integrity and selflessness. He was, and remains, the quintessential Caribbean person. I will forever remember the critical role he played in providing support and direction to the team negotiating the post-Lome arrangements, including the Cotonou Agreement and its reviews, as well as the Doha Round of negotiations in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and Economic Partnership Agreements.

Perhaps the high point of Mr Carrington's stellar service will be seen in the several cooperation arrangements, outside the EU/CARIFORUM arrangement, such as the strengthening of cooperation with the African Union, China, Japan and the United States, as well as with Cuba and other groupings in Latin America. Those relationships will be of lasting benefit to Jamaica and CARICOM. A hallmark of his persistence and resilience will be the construction, finally, of a new headquarters for the CARICOM Secretariat at Turkeyen, Guyana.

Disappointments

To be sure, he has had his share of disappointments and will vacate the office without achieving some of his stated goals for himself and CARICOM. However, I do not share the view expressed by some commentators that the failures of CARICOM should be placed at his doorstep. The failures have been largely one of political leadership and the absence of political will.

The critical issues facing CARICOM today are the structure for decision making and a resolution of the issue of the implementation deficit, including the decisions relating to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), a key institution for holding leaders accountable for decisions taken at Heads of Government meetings. Mr Carrington and the CARICOM Secretariat have developed the options for governance facing the Heads of Government. It is full time the heads grasp this nettlesome issue.

Prime Minister Golding, as the current chairman of CARICOM, will have yet another opportunity to exorcise the ghost of a referendum long past in the discussions leading up to the identification/appointment of the new leader for CARICOM. It is my hope that he uses this unique opportunity to reflect on his and the Jamaica Labour Party's own position on the regional integration movement to date. I have little doubt that Mr Golding, not unlike the other opposition leaders who have become prime ministers, will be haunted by his own rhetoric, which disparaged CARICOM while in opposition, but are confronted with the stark realities in government. For let us be clear, the case for CARICOM is unassailable when one views the rapid globalisation taking place in the world in the 21st century. The leaders of both developed and emerging economies, from the European Union to China, have expressed the view that Jamaica is better off negotiating the terms of its integration into the world economy as part of CARICOM/CARIFORUM, rather than by itself.

New governance structure

The time for rhetoric, or worst, inaction, is over. The Golding administration must end its equivocation on issues affecting CARICOM, such as a new governance structure and Jamaica's participation in the appellate jurisdiction of the CCJ.

Edwin Carrington has played a stellar role in guiding the integration movement to this time and place, ably assisted by a small group of persons with genuine commitment to the regional project, including our own former assistant secretary general, Ambassador Byron Blake, Sir Shridath Ramphal and P.J. Patterson, to name a few. CARICOM is better for Mr Carrington's 18 years of service.

What will the next 18 years represent? The PNP affirms in its Progressive Agenda that it:

Will stand up for CARICOM in Jamaica and will stand up for Jamaica in CARICOM.

A well-run leg, Secretary General Carrington!

G. Anthony Hylton is opposition spokesperson on foreign affairs and foreign trade. Feedback may be sent to columns@gleanerjm.com.