CARICOM OPENING SOURED BY US AID CUTS

The opening ceremony of the 24th Heads of Government Meeting of Caricom was yesterday overshadowed by the decision of the United States to cut military aid to TT as well as six other Caricom nations. 

As Caricom celebrated its 13th Anniversary, regional heads grappled with the implications of the decision. Prime Minister Patrick Manning noted that he was disappointed with the US decision. However, he said, he was not completely surprised by the move. He stated that he was not sure of the effect it would have on TT. Manning maintained that decisions about the International Criminal Court were still ongoing and expressed his hope that a conventional agreement would be established between the US and his Caricom colleagues. Military aid to TT from the US between 1999 and 2002 amounted to US $6.7 million (TT $40.2 million).

Dr Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, did not think that the US military aid ban on six Caricom countries would  have much impact since he believed that the aid might not be substantial. He said he did not think it would seriously affect Trinidad and Tobago. Asked about the proposed regional airline, involving cash-strapped BWIA and  LIAT, Dr Gonsalves said he has not as yet received the report on the proposed holding company from TT’s Trade Minister, Kenneth Valley. He hinted that he may receive it shortly. Antigua PM Lester Bird said small economies were very reliant on aid from the US and their concerns could not be ignored.

Meanwhile, at home many Trinidadians and Tobagonians called on government to open up Marli Street, on which the US Embassy is located and which was closed for security reasons after September 11. However, Works and Transport Minister, Franklin Khan said it would be“inappropriate” for Government to play tit for tat with the United States and remove the barricades from Marli Street. The closure of this main artery  has been a source of dissatisfaction for many nationals, particularly parishioners of All Saints Church. But Khan, who is the competent authority for the closure of roads, made it clear yesterday that the blockade on Marli St was exclusive of matters involving the ICC. Saying that the matter would probably be discussed at today’s Cabinet meeting, Khan said he was almost certain that the Government would not play “tit for tat” on this issue. “This is a very serious matter and it needs to be thought out properly.  The Foreign Affairs Minister would handle that when he comes back,” the Minister stated. Marli St, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Works Ministry, was closed in 2001 while the UNC was in office. The Opposition United National Congress (UNC) yesterday reserved comment on the US government’s suspension of millions of dollars in military aid to 35 countries.

The US action stems from the refusal by the countries to give US citizens immunity from the tribunal of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Trinidad and Tobago and six other Caricom countries are affected by the US decision. UNC Chairman Senator Wade Mark speaking to Newsday, said the party has to first get an official text of the US statement on the matter in order for the party to consider and state its position. He said a formal request to the US Embassy for the text will be made shortly. He said until that time the UNC would not comment on the measure as reported. National Security Minister Howard Chin Lee also refused to comment on the measure. However, US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick, who is attending the Caricom Heads of Government meeting in Montego Bay, Jamaica, said the action was merely to protect young US soldiers who are posted outside the US.The US Embassy here in Port-of-Spain said it would issue a statement on the action.

The National Trade Union Centre (NATUC) in a statement on the matter condemned the US action. NATUC’s General Secretary, Vincent Cabrera, labelled the action as “intimidatory and hypocritical.” Cabrera said Trinidad and Tobago was an independent State and our foreign policies cannot be dictated by the interest of any other country.Meantime, it is reported that there has been general disappointment from the other non-Caricom countries which are affected. However, Colombia a US ally, although silent about the decision, could be the hardest hit if the dispute continues into next year. It is believed that officials in the South American country are silent because only US$5 million of the US$600 million in this year’s aid is at risk. Reuters reported on Tuesday that more than $47 million in miliary aid would be suspended, but the US government would continue to press the countries to sign immunity deals. Most of the countries had until July 1 to sign the immunity. The news agency quoted State Department spokesman Richard Boucher as saying that the matter will continue to be an important national policy to be pursued with the countries.