P.J PATTERSON, the former long-serving Prime Minister of Jamaica and recognised “elder statesman” of the Caribbean Community feels the now 40-year-old integration movement is “in danger”.

It requires he feels, “urgent and concerted effort” by ALL Heads of Government of the 15-member Community, as well as by parliamentary opposition parties and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), to rise to the challenges facing the Community.
Now retired from active party politics, Patterson’s warning came this past Monday night when he delivered the ‘distinguished guest’ address at the “World Understanding Month Dinner” of the Georgetown Rotary Club in Guyana.
“Let me make it clear’ he said, “urgent steps are required to rescue CARICOM, or else life support may come too late to prevent permanent coma…”
That sad assessment would not have come easily. As CARICOM watchers know, it would have been quite painful for Patterson, who has been passionate—in and out office—in support of CARICOM’S fulfillment of major objectives to now have to ring the “danger bell for concerted effort” by  his Community colleagues and more.
The full text of his address would most likely be made available to CARICOM colleagues as they prepare for next month’s Inter-Sessional Conference scheduled for Haiti.
Writing on “Harsh Realities in CARICOM” last month, I had noted that the future for regional economic integration and functional cooperation would depend  “on the vision, policy objectives and level of commitment of the regional leaders to methodically pursue  the policies and programmes enshrined  in the ‘Revised CARICOM Treaty and to ensure effective management…
“The current reality, however, is that the CARICOM political directorate seem to lack the will to seriously inspire hope among citizens of the Community for a better future; for more meaningful benefits as ‘One People of One Community’ (to borrow a slogan of the CARICOM Secretariat), to remove lingering cynicism among too many…”
The CARICOM passport
Well, Mr. Patterson was, in his own way, ready to point to flaws in the functioning of the ‘CARICOM Enterprise’ that have contributed to the cynicism and disenchantment. He fingered at least one well known people-focused issue—intra-regional hassle-free movement of nationals of the Community.
What, for instance, he noted with disappointment, is the “relevance of having a CARICOM passport which has not been serving its purpose, given the fact that the free movement of skills and training is still a difficult issue and is not welcome by most member states.”
He agonizingly recalled the pitiful experience of ‘Cricket World Cup” in the region when foreigners were courteously allowed to travel freely  while CARICOM nationals faced difficulties at ports of entry.
Patterson knows that this remains a major unresolved problem that cannot be solved by official rhetoric and repetitive promises that continue to be dishonoured.
But since he is equally aware, and have often declared, that with all its real and imagined weaknesses there is NO ALTERNATIVE to CARICOM as the vehicle to attain the desired goals outlined in the CARICOM Treaty, it is, therefore, simply compelling that all hands be on deck to steer this regional ship out of current difficult waters before it sinks!
As articulated by him in his ‘Georgetown Address’ on Monday night: “At this time of severe constraints, CARICOM Heads of Government will have to decide on priorities and set a specific time table on competing areas to accelerate regional growth and development…”
Question: Who is listening?