ST KITTS:The proposal of a gas pipeline from T&T to the Eastern Caribbean is "under discussion" and has engaged the attention of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, says Foreign Affairs Minister Suruj Rambachan. "I'm sure in a short while from now there will be some statement on that matter, but it has engaged the attention of the Prime Minister," Rambachan added, speaking just before yesterday's (THUR) opening ceremony of the 32nd Caricom Summit here in St Kitts. Rambachan did not specify whether the pipeline plan - first raised by the Manning PNM administration - will be among topics discussed by regional leaders during the four day Summit, or if the hinted "statement" on the initiative will be made at the summit.
But he did confirm that two other plans by the previous PNM Government were completely off the table - southern Caribbean political union and sharing of T&T's radar system with neighbouring southern states. The T&T delegation led by Rambachan arrived yesterday morning. Prime Minister Kamla Persad- Bissessar arrives at the St Kitts summit this morning at the conclusion of the Women's Conference in T&T yesterday. The summit is expected to demonstrate the PM's commitment to the regional integration process in light of perceptions created by her comments at last year's summit when she took a strong line against the possibility of T&T being stuck in "godfather" status for the region.
The summit was launched last night with addresses from new regional leaders including from Haiti, Suriname, Barbados and St Vincent and the Grenadines. Former longstanding Caricom Secretary General Edwin Carrington, now with the T&T Government, was also honoured. Carrington is part of T&T's delegation to the summit. Leaders' agenda is expected to review progress on assistance for earthquake ravaged Haiti since international help has been "tardy" in arriving. They are also expected to consider a short list of names of people who have been interviewed for the post of Caricom Secretary General. Lolita Applewhaite is currently acting. Rambachan said Persad-Bissessar will reaffirm T&T's commitment to Caricom and regional integration:'
"She will also reaffirm the fact that T&T realises its responsibility to Caricom and the people of the region. She's very concerned about youth development and sustainable jobs for youths and she's concerned about children. She hopes to make early childhood education a Caribbean vision." "She's relating what she's doing at home to regional needs," Rambachan added. He said: "A lot is always expected of T&T as an energy-gas economy and the Prime Minister understands that. She always says T&T is aware of its responsibility to its neighbours and will always maintain this. If one country is weak, all states will be weak." He said Persad- Bissessar will raise regional food security with leaders in view of some countries decision not to export certain foods such as grain. This will have a significant impact on the Caribbean region.
He added: "We'll suffer regarding prices and availability, so she wishes to have consensus on this and will raise the issue of food security at the summit." Rambachan said indebtedness of certain states will also be discussed. Rambachan referred questions on the REDjet issue-involving Jamaica and Barbados - to Transport Minister Devant Maharaj. He said current availability of air transport will make discussions on this aspect inevitable. Persad-Bissessar will also participate in climate change discussions. However, Rambachan said a southern state political union-such as was suggested by the Manning administration -is out and it was also unlikely that the T&T-based radar system proposed by the PNM for southern states like Grenada, was also off the table.
Rambachan noted that the US has invested $75m (US) in security systems for the southern Caribbean.
Trade Minister Stephen Cadiz said some issues from Caricom's 2010 summit pertaining to T&T/Jamaica manufacturing sectors remain unresolved. He said there have been some new appointments in the Jamaica Government and T&T's point persons were no longer there. He said T&T may have to renegotiate some issues. Last year Jamaican businessmen had accused T&T of giving local businessmen an advantage with subsidised fuel prices-a concession which they did not have.
The issue caused tensions to rise. Cadiz said some headway had been made on the issue, but it has not yet been resolved.
He said other issues including an impending cement dispute and Jamaican trade into T&T is being dealt with. Cadiz also said Caricom had to be prepared at this point to change and decide where it wants to go to be competitive with nearby regions: "Caricom has to rethink its position and see if it can take advantage of its much wider market." Cadiz said the CA/Air Jamaica arrangement could also serve the region in that regard. He noted that travellers sometimes leave one island and take a day to reach another. He saiddiscussions on a fast ferry into the southern Caribbean islands is an "excellent idea and can work." He said it was on the agenda of a recent conference and Caricom needed to examine it.