The year 2008 started off with great expectations in January last year – here in the region in Barbados and Grenada , and in our Big Brother neighbour in the U.S.A to North. Barbados General Elections were just around the corner – the U.S.A. Elections though fixed for the fourth of November, the expectations were centred in connection with a double historical event as to whether the Country would have seen the first female or the first African/American Candidate for president, and by extension the first female or African/American President; - and in Grenada we were excited about when the incumbents in the seat of Power for the past Thirteen years, were going to call the next General Elections in the Spice Isles. We now know for certain that the Barbados Elections were called and a new Government was blown into power after fourteen years; the Grenada General Elections were called on the 8th July, and the wind of change continued to blow in the Caribbean and another new administration took control after Thirteen years of the NNP in Power. And the most historical of all took place on the 4th November, when the first African/American Candidate became the President Elect, and in effect the most Powerful Leader of any Democratic Country Worldwide, and arguably the most Powerful Leader Worldwide - full stop. We also had the continuing chaos and confusion by Mugabe in Zimbabwe among his own people – that makes one wonder whether such excuses for patriots and national Leaders should ever have been allowed to rise up at all. We now know from the still current U.S. President, George W. Bush, that the Recession now crippling World Economies had been on-going in the U..S.A. since Oct/Nov 2007 – but the full effect really started manifesting itself in the second or third quarter of 2008, and by year-end it was Worldwide. And because we, in this region especially, are so dependent on what happens in the U.S.A. and England in particular – we are in the middle of that “Economic hurricane” that is raging through those Countries with no end in sight. And because of our historic reliance on the Tourism industry – that has been grounded in those countries for decades – even after they begin to overcome the depression in their own back-yard, it would take us some considerable time thereafter to get our act together, as it were. In our own backyard, and with regard to what has been on the front burner for some time now, I do not see any immediate movement in the very near future; even though all are concerned that the issues pending for action or decision are vital to our economic and social and political wellbeing. The CSME and the CCJ – with regard to the aspect of the final Court of Appeal for the Region and the abolition of Appeals to the Privy Council in England – that is on hold with only two states on board. The OECS and the attempts last year to broaden the base of its operations to include other States in the region – in particular Trinidad and Tobago, and whoever maybe interested in joining the group for whatever reason – that too is very quiet. Of greater concern to us in Grenada , is a deeper relationship with Trinidad and Tobago – to be able to exploit the Oil and gas resources we now know are existing in the waters between our two States – that would be our economic salvation for generations to come. The Region’s (CARICOM) status with the European Union (EU), after the agreement signed by all and sundry except Guyana last year (the EPA); that is still serious cause for concern, as to whether or not the terms and conditions contained therein are to our benefit in the region. Other attempts to form or create an alternative trading block, between the Caribbean and South American neighbours and promoted by Venezuela in particular – these are not moving as fast as was expected, and now that the Gas and Oil Bonanza is down to its lowest value for years, Venezuela in particular is no longer as influencial in the negotiations as when it was selling crude oil at $140.00 U.S. per Barrel as opposed to $40.00 U.S. now. The change at the White House in Washington D.C. , could have some significant difference for the CARICOM region – depending on how we play our cards. No one should expect the region to benefit simply because an African/American is in the driving seat – our Leaders have to go out there and earn our favourable status. We do have some advantages because of our Geographical situation, and the fact that those who want to capitalise from a presence in the U.S.A. would want to use our strategic position to gain entry in whichever market. But be that as it may we still cannot take things for granted – so those in control who have been elected to look after the Islands interests, they are duty bound to set the wheels in motion to try and secure a piece of the action. I know, from the noises that are being made by some regional Leaders, that all those in control are not on the same wave length in their disposition to the U.S.A.; and even when their attempts at being so high and mighty, and so very independent, are doomed to failure before they even open their mouths - they like to show off by their empty rhetoric and in the presence of their kind. But I am hoping that in the changed and changing situation in the U..S.A, those cats will see the light and measure their actions, and attitudes, and language, to suit the circumstances now facing the World and our people in the region in particular – so as to secure a more favourable position for the region and its people. No one of those leaders should forget the old people saying – of show me your companions and I can tell who and what you are. And none should fool themselves with the notion – that who and what you are is not important. Nor should those Leaders ever forget, that they got to where they are, and who they are, because of the votes of the people and for a limited time span. But also of great significance, in our small region of tiny states that have come together to pool whatever we have for the benefit of all our people – is the fact and expectation that we have to be seen to be united, to honour the agreements we have made for the benefit of the people, and to be consistent in how we apply the rules and regulations that have been designed to further our sustainable development. And the above is particularly important when we are dealing with our regional people, as opposed to, or in comparison with how we deal with Foreigners. It never ceases to amaze me always, that when charity cannot or does not begin at home – but is always available for outsiders whom we are trying to attract to our shores – we are only setting the scene for deeper in-equality to persist, and opening the door ways for bribery and corruptions to raise their ugly heads and enter the system. There seems to be a tendency among politicians, that development and job creation for their people must come from outside the homeland, so they go out of their way to encourage and facilitate the foreign investors but ignore and deny their local business men the same facilities. And then they boast about being independent although most of the channels for production and employment are controlled by outsiders. Many of those occupying the seats of power are always talking about integration and closer ties in the region, and free movement of people and labour and even capital among the states – but no sooner someone enters their territory who expresses a contrary opinion to theirs, he/she is thrown out like a terrorist. And even those who enter and are doing useful jobs in the society, because they may not have secured all the paper-work needed, they are thrown out like common criminals when so discovered. It seems to me, therefore , that we have a whole lot of soul-searching to so in our own backyard in the region, to put our house of unity and integrated efforts together – to be able to face the outside world as one block of people with a common goal. So many people have said all of this before, and even made recommendations of how the States in the region should proceed as a group to achieve their stated goals – but for some strange reasons all have fallen on deaf ears and remain dormant. But we cannot be putting such action off forever, because the rest of the World would be leaving us stranded and frustration could cause people to rise up and take ill-advised action. From the noises coming out of every corner of the World stage in recent times – it is clear enough that things are on the boil and people everywhere have to be prepared and ready to take action. We cannot afford to be any different in these parts and especially here at home in the Spice Isles. But exactly what we can look forward to would also depend on what is happening around us – so we have to be prepared and ready to take advantage of any opportunity that comes our way. It is not going to be easy sailing by any means, and sacrifices will have to be made as things develop – by us all and not just a few of us or those in control. By Lloyd Noel (Attorney-at-law) INSIDE GRENADA NEWS