PRESIDENT Barrack Obama’s announcement, last Thursday, that Cuba and the USA have agreed to resume commercial flights is another progressive step in international relations, and is a continuation of normalisation of the relationship between two long-time adversaries.

In announcing this decision, Obama informed that the restoration of commercial flights comes one year after his announced intention to normalize relations with Cuba, and he made known that the shift in foreign policy means: “We are advancing our shared interests and working together on complex issues that, for too long, defined — and divided — us.”

While the legacy of the Obama presidency will take some time to be written, he will doubtless be given credit for removing vestiges of the Cold War politics that still existed between those two countries. In that there has been advocacy on both sides of the debate for and against continuing the isolation policy, Obama has opted to ease/remove restrictions one by one in a welcoming sign for global human relations.

In examining history, it would be discovered that building human relations/bridges or bringing about change requires engagement. Emancipation, though fought for as against being granted, was not achieved without engagement by the enslaved, their advocates and enslavers. The same can be said for ending indentureship and colonialism.

This is a lesson for many who still harbour the old hatreds of an era gone by –- an era wherein the major players have long gone to the great beyond, and cannot speak to what they are being accused of.

Within the Guyanese society, some are still locked in the Cold War hostility and are disinclined to look at new ways to bring about harmonious relationships with their fellow citizens. The times have changed and old hostilities or closed-door approaches towards each other can never lend to building relationships and working with each other for the common good. Political engagement can take place only in a society that creates space for expression and involvement of all, not when the approach is taken that one will not engage the other, or give and take, because it has to be all or none; the world is moving ahead and leaving those with such a mindset behind.

Yet, in spite of internal isolationist positions, at the external level, Guyana has maintained a long-standing, cordial and working relationship with Cuba since the Cold War era. This relationship has seen engagements that have resulted in trade and sharing of expertise between the two countries, which have served both countries well. Now that commercial flight will be resumed to Cuba, it is not unrealistic to project that it is only a matter of time before the USA lift restrictions on tourist flight. Where there is openness for commerce, it creates openness for recreation and other pleasures.

Out of curiosity, given the historical relationship between the USA and Cuba, the reputed exotic beaches and culture, there will be movement by forces to deem it an attractive destination, including pointing out the possibilities of income/revenue generation for USA and others.

Another factor is this: Given Cuba’s close proximity to the USA, when tourism becomes possible, that country will be an attractive destination for persons in North America and Europe, and will pose challenges to regional tourism.

Countries within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) may have to examine the likely impact the resumption of commercial flights will have on trade in the Region; and project, also, the likely impact resumed tourist flights will have on our tourist industry. It does no harm in futuristic planning to examine these possibilities, and what measures may be required to ensure that goods and services from CARICOM can be competitive, have new opportunities to enter other markets, and serve new communities.

With the lifting of the trade embargo, state governments and businesses in the USA have been leading missions/delegations to Cuba on matters relating to trade, healthcare, education, and so forth. These questions need to be asked: In the context of improving Cuba/USA relations, what does a globalised environment mean for Guyana and other small states? And how best can this country best position itself to derive more benefits from international economic trade? Guyana has an embassy in Cuba, will it see a re-alignment of focus where economic trade will play a more pivotal role in international relations?

Mr. Carl Greenidge, Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Economic Trade, has a long and distinguished public service resume. Having served in the nation’s State Planning ministry, he was also the Minister of Foreign Affairs who oversaw the Economic Recovery Programme. Mr. Greenidge was Deputy Secretary General for the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States and Deputy Senior Director of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery. No doubt, given his vast experience and the deepening and strengthening of USA/Cuba relations, what it means for Guyana in the sense of how our national economic interest can be pursued is not lost on him.