Grabbing at our oil

This is by no means a small measure.

But the question remains, is it sufficient? The opposing side in this dispute still crows as though it were the ‘cock o’ the roost’ proclaiming for all to hear that it won a decisive victory in the court.

This is typical of the view held by partisan lawyers in matters in which to the ordinary eye seem cut and dry.

Barbados it seems is authorised to pursue its illegal fishing in the national waters of TT. The next thing we will hear is that it is legally entitled to siphon off some of the natural gas and oil that abounds in those waters.

The claim to have a legal right to fish is merely testing the waters for grabbing at our oil and natural gas.

It is like the envious neighbour who sees his friend coming into some unforseen good fortune and hastens to accuse him of drug dealing or some other nefarious activity to account for his sudden increase in wealth. It is in this case a matter of international jealousy. The two countries are advised to meet and settle the fishing dispute in an amicable manner but I really wonder if that is going to be a serious possibility.

It seems that the logical advice to give our dearly beloved Bajan friends is that which was implied in our calypso — “Take your fish out meh sea.”

But that is just what they want to do would be their claim.