SECRETARY-GENERAL of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, in his presentation at the just concluded 28th Inter-sessional Summit of the Heads of Government, poignantly stated that, “Starkly put, we are not delivering results as fast as we should in a number of areas.” He was referring to the challenges facing the institution in several areas and the importance of getting things done in the interest of the Region’s security and people’s development. LaRocque’s entreaty is not singular, given that similar expressions are often heard from the Region’s peoples. In 1992, Sir Shridath Ramphal in an incisive report, “Time for Action,” addressed the need for making real the dreams of the integration process.
Almost 24 years to the date of the 1989 Grand Anse Agreement that established the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), he revisited the issue and drew attention to shared concerns about the level of action and inaction by some Heads of Government. Noteworthy is the counsel of former Jamaica Prime Minister P.J. Patterson that, “West Indians understand – WE ARE SPINNING TOP IN MUD! They do not wonder why we are getting nowhere.”
There was convergence by the Heads last week — albeit using different focus — that action and implementation in CARICOM are slow. President David Granger called for full implementation of the CSME, while there was a parallel concern expressed by out-going Chairman Roosevelt Skerrit on regional security. These calls make real concerns of the Caribbean people and contribute to the ambivalence of CARICOM’s relevance.
Under the Treaty of Chaguaramas, the secretariat has responsibility for developing laws, protocols, agreements and charters for the Region. Respective governments have the responsibility for implementation of these within the confines of the established parameters. Yet for some reason, the citizenry is led to think that implementation is the Secretariat’s responsibility. It is also not unreasonable to think that the Heads of Government may hold a similar view, listening to them calling for action and implementation, when they, under the Treaty, are so empowered to execute.
In the absence of knowledge of the clear distinction of roles between the Secretariat and Government, the concern, interest, and angst of the people will be mis-directed. For instance, a few years ago there was strong political opposition to Jamaica remaining a member of CARICOM. This exit pursuit was led by then Leader of the Opposition Andrew Holness, who has since been elected prime minister and committed that Jamaica will remain a member.
The dichotomy of this situation is that while political fodder is oft derived by presenting CARICOM as being incapable of fulfilling its mandate, governments — including the Opposition — are let off the hook of shouldering their responsibility, thereby having the attacks directed at the Secretariat. Recently, the secretary-general felt compelled to impress upon the society that CARICOM remains relevant and pointed to some of its achievements as testimony of this. At the same time, it may be opportune for the Secretariat to look inwards and ascertain the causes for disaffection and misunderstanding among the people. There are reasons that come readily to mind: one is the absence of clear understanding of the roles between the Secretariat and the respective governments. The other is the need to revisit the publicity and public relations strategy that has undoubtedly not filtered down to the masses.
If CARICOM is to succeed, there must be respect and implementations for the laws, protocols, agreements and charters informing its existence and relevance. Each sector and section, such as the secretariat, government, opposition, employers, workers, and citizens, must also be au fait with their s and responsibilities and seek to exercise same and hold themselves and others accountable.
Where leaders of the community fail to acknowledge the importance of every group in making the integration process work, CARICOM will unfortunately find it hard to shed the misnomer that it is irrelevant to the people and merely exists as a talk shop and social club. Debunking this false notion lies in giving true meaning to the secretary-general’s entreaty that “we are not delivering results as fast as we should in a number of areas.”