There are dangers to this country's economy, to its image and to the regional integration movement associated with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar being so hard-nosed about giving assistance to our Caricom partners on the basis of this country getting something in return from lending a hand in a time of need. As with her comment of T&T not being an ABM for Caricom, this statement requiring a pound of flesh for assistance can seem to be offensive and demeaning to our Caricom neighbours. Assistance to countries which are victims of natural disasters is a well-established practice in international relations, even between and amongst countries geographically, culturally and politically far apart as Argentina and the New Hebrides in the South Pacific. More so for Caribbean countries with deep historical ties, cultural, familial and economic trading links; frankly, countries which are tied together in their economic and social future.
Moreover, it is a little more than unnecessary and short-sighted for the Prime Minister to continue to harangue on every occasion such a need arises for assistance. What is more, the economic reality is that T&T is the major beneficiary of Caricom trade and has a healthy surplus in its balance of trade accounts with other members of the economic integration movement. We already benefit from trading partners in the eastern and northern Caricom countries who purchase in large quantity goods and services made in and exported from this country. And realistically, they have more options for import sources than we have for exports. To constantly harp on wanting benefit from assistance could be seen to be uncharitable. From the example of assisting after Hurricane Ivan devastated Grenada, it is clear that our manufacturers and financial services companies, amongst others, are reaping benefits being the major supplier in the region. Perhaps the Prime Minister wants to distance herself from her predecessor by taking a politically tough stance, but she needs to be cognisant to the possibility of giving offence abroad.
She should recognise too that the words of leaders made in their local environment are at times simultaneously transmitted around the globe and if not "live," certainly within minutes of being said. We in T&T should be grateful that our country was largely spared a full frontal blow from Tropical Storm Tomas. Not so many of our Caricom neighbours in the eastern and soon expected to-be-hit northern Caribbean: Jamaica and Haiti are preparing for a broadside from the weather system which is vacillating between a storm and a hurricane. Let us be thankful for being spared and not engage in ungracious statements and acts. From reports, the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility will make US$12.8 million in payouts to Barbados, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and St Lucia for the damage done in those countries. One assessment from Vincentian Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves puts the cost of the damage done at US$25 million with the vital banana crop all but destroyed.
The tourism facilities of those countries have also experienced serious loss mere weeks before the high tourist season commences. These are therefore countries with serious needs and if today T&T is in a position to assist, we should do so magnanimously. Further north, Jamaica and Haiti, as far as the latter can, are making preparations for Tomas. It could be complete disaster if Haiti, deeply wounded by the earthquake of early this year, were to be seriously impacted by the hurricane. Jamaica, expecting a hit by Thursday evening, is assiduously preparing itself, making Dr Keith Rowley's comment about over-preparation and unnecessary alerting of the country sound like the cheap politicking it was meant to be.