Include Tobago in fish talks

THE EDITOR: Diplomacy between nations is the key to resolving disputes. The Bajans have delivered a headlock on the government of Trinidad and Tobago by threatening to band imports. This is a classic case of “backyard bullying” as diplomacy has been discarded. Which nation will allow another nation to come and fish in their territorial waters without a proper agreement? The fact is that there are no more flying fish in Bajan waters and now they coming to fish in Tobago waters. They are probably planning to claim Tobago next. This of course would help the UNC as the PNM will lose the two Tobago seats.

The Manning Administration is not going to play “hard ball” with the boldface Bajans because Manning’s ancestral roots are in Barbados. So sooner or later we can expect Tobago to go to the Bajans. Two Bajan fishing boats have already been released after they were caught stealing the flying fish in Tobago. Mr London has expressed his disappointment at this development. Mr London should be included in any talks with the Bajan Prime Minister. It is wrong for Mr Manning to make deals that will affect Tobago more than Trinidad and to do it in secrecy.

The fact is that Tobago needs its own Coast Guard boats, and they should be accountable to the Tobago House of Assembly, clearing Trinidad of any wrong doing when the Tobagonians act to prevent the Bajans from stealing their fish. My guess is that Tobagonians do not do much business with the Bajans, so they can play “hard ball,” Trinidad simply cannot.  Trinidad has over the years developed strong business partnerships with the Bajans, for this reason it is important to keep that partnership strong. The government should amend the laws regarding the territorial waters, ensuring that the Tobagonians could and should patrol their coastal areas and prevent the loss of this important resource. Anyways, it is important for all concerned to look at ways to ensure that all future arrangements do not hamper relations between the Caricom family.

KHEM HARRINARINE
khem37@yahoo.com