INSIDE GRENADA FEBRUARY 19, 2008 by Lloyd Noel (Attorney-at-law) It is quite some time now, since the people have been provided with any information about the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME). Whereas, once upon a time we were being fed with an over-dose of rhetoric on the subject – especially around the times when the date for beginning the process had to be postponed, because the parties in Caricom were un-prepared or not ready yet. The agreement did come into operation last year but only for the Single Market part, while the Single economy aspect has been postponed to 2015 or thereabouts. The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has been in operation for about three years, as the Tribunal for setting disputes between member states – and as the final Court of Appeal for Barbados and Guyana in place of the Privy Council in London. And by the looks of things in the other states, and the statements coming from both Governments and Opposition – I cannot see very much happening to the CCJ becoming the final Court of Appeal in those states for a long time ahead. Whatever we may think about the CSME as a whole, or the CCJ as the final Court of Appeal for the English Speaking Caribbean in place of the Privy Council in London – and in spite of all the ole talk about unifying our people, and integration of our mini-states to function as one Caribbean people, and so be able to speak with one voice on the stages of the world many organizations – it is very sad indeed, that after more than forty years since our initial failure at unity, we are still unable to put the small parts (states) together like our forefathers did with cricket. In fact, a good case can be made out to prove – that the very West Indies Super team that once ruled the cricket field world-wide, have since deteriorated to near bottom place – because those in control of our various national affairs have simply made a mess of things in our lives, and that has seriously impacted negatively and adversely on the guys with the bat and ball. A case in point, not dis-similar to the very forceful argument – that our youths and younger generation have become wayward and reckless because of the very bad examples they are getting from their elders. And now that the ex-Prime Minister of Barbados, Mr. Owen Arthur, has been removed from office together with his BLP Government – we may very well be seeing less and less urgency in the movements to push the unity and the integration cause forward. And that is because he seemed the only Prime Minister who really put his Country’s fate and future where his mouth was – as we like to say in these parts. And when it comes down to our own lot in these Spice Isles – we have long ago more than exhausted the dozens of complaints and constructive Criticisms, to help to have things take an about turn in an effort to stop the downward trend towards disaster. Not surprisingly, these deaf ears and blind eyes of the drivers in control of our nation’s ship of State, have suddenly been cleared and opened – and the actions and activities are Islands-wide. In due course of time, and the people’s response to the very belated wake up call, it will sooner or later be determined if too late shall be the drivers cry – as the unfolding events and results become known. Just to detract slightly from the theme of this article, and take a look at the Capital International Bank situation that has now hit the headlines. For months now, Mr. Clouden in particular and others of us have been calling on the Government of Dr. Keith Mitchell to step in and take some action in the matter – because a whole lot of little people had put their life savings in that local Bank, and it was in serious financial trouble. All our complaints and preaching fell on the usual deaf ears, until last week Friday when the same Prime Minister as Minister of Finance- at long last woke up and had the Court appoint a liquidator to take over the control of the Bank’s affairs. The Bank Managing Director himself had written to the Minister of Finance, seeking his assistance and intervention – all to no avail, until too late. When will those who control our nation’s affairs, and are supposed to, and expected to lead our people and be role models to our youths who will be the men and women of tomorrow – wake up from their slumber, and shed the shackles of in-difference and wanton recklessness, that touches and concerns the duties and responsibilities they have taken solemn oaths to uphold and perform – as the paid servants of the people whose welfare and interests are in their hands? The answer, am sure, is blowing in the winds of change now raging in the Caribbean Basin, from Belize to Barbados. But back to the theme of this article, about the unity and integration of our mini-states in the region; under the Treaty and the rules and regulations of the CSME, Journalists, Sports people and professionals – among others – are supposed to have free movements among the party-states who signed the treaty that is now in force in those states. Jamaica and Grenada have so signed. But last week Thursday, a young woman journalist of Jamaican nationality – who works out of the Cayman Islands with Carib-update – was arrested by Grenadian Police on instructions from the Immigration Authority, and was due to be deported the next day. She was allowed to stay up to Tuesday 19th February, because of flight availability. The young journalist came into Grenada with our own well known Journalist, Hamlet Mark, and on arrival she was given over six months to stay here – according to the stamp on her passport. Her crime, for which charges were considered privately and the case decided against her without more – was that she was working for the NDC without a valid work permit, issued by the Labour department. Those in control did not say so in public – they put it as if she over-stayed her time in Grenada; but the chaps in immigration had to admit, that on the face of the passport and the stamp imprinted thereon showing date of arrival and date to depart – such an interpretation was taboo. And what is more, whereas it is routine of someone who over-stays his/her time in error – an extension would be automatic, in Miss Thomas’s case the Officers conceded that they could not exercise their discretion in this instance, so she had to leave. Hamlet Mark is well known to be working on behalf of the NDC, so the young lady was judged guilty by association. What utter desperation. But with that level of behavior prevalent in the operations of CSME member states – how can we ever arrive at that so much talked-about stage of unified integration? All the leaders know only too well, that as so-called (mini) Independent States – we are like little sprats just floating around in our own Caribbean Sea, waiting to be swallowed up by those big sharks who control the Oceans and the Global market place. And when those big puppies are not devouring us in places like the WTO, or the EU, or even the UN – their un-scrupulous nationals posing as concerned investors, just have to flash their millions across the faces of some of our Leaders, who like to boast about Independence and providing work for the un-employed, so they are given on a platter anything and everything they demand, to invest a few millions in Tourism. And while the powers-that-be are treating a Caribbean national as a common criminal, and throwing her out of our Spice isles – where we like to boast that everything is so peaceful and nice; many of those Millionaire Investors are all set to undermine our Parliamentary Democracy in the up-coming General Elections, by providing unlimited funding to woo voters, to keep their concessions in place to continue making more Millions at our expense. And as if those in control cannot see too well, and those hangers-on who are always only too ready to jump up and make excuses on the controllers behalf – cannot begin to understand, that when the roof of any building is rotten and infested with termites and wood ants, it will eventually fall down and all below will perish. To the same extent, when a society is facing reckless and un-principled behaviour from those at the top of the ladder of authority – those at the bottom who do not know better, or whose situations make them very vulnerable and wide open to temptations of all sorts, their normal reactions will be – as the calypsonian once put it, “if the priest can play mass then who is we”. I can see this mentality taking root – in the spate of so many incidents of serious criminal behaviour, with four murders in less than two months since Christmas day 2007. Leaders in control, prospective leaders seeking control, Investors, and hangers-on of any sort – unlike the material house that need a solid foundation to withstand the ravages of natural disasters – the “house” of the society made up of the people – needs good examples and high standards from the very top, to be followed and emulated by those at the bottom - so as to provide the roots and un-shakable honest foundation to withstand the man-made disasters that may crop up from time to time. Only then can we truly boast about Independence, and be in a position to create the unification and integration of a free people in a region of free movement for one and all.