Caricom willing to help

The Caricom Secretariat says it is ready and willing to assist in the fishing impasse between Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados, but there has been no formal request from either party for intervention, Caricom Secretary-General Selwyn Carrington stated yesterday. Speaking through Public Affairs Officer, Leonard Robertson, the Secretary-General pointed out that the fishing dispute was a bilateral matter. Noting that Caricom was an association of sovereign states, he stated that two sovereign states are having discussions. “Until one says, we need your help, all we can do is look on with interest,” he said, adding that the Secretary-General could not “impose himself” on any dispute until there is a formal request because he does not have that authority under the Caricom Treaty.

It is understood however that Carrington has spoken with the two Prime Ministers, Owen Arthur and Patrick Manning. Under the Caricom Treaty the fishing dispute cannot be referred to the Secretariat because it is a delimitation matter. However if the Barbados Prime Minister were to impose trade sanctions contrary to the letter of the Treaty, the aggrieved party (Trinidad and Tobago) could register the matter as a dispute with the Secretariat.