As Chaguaramas Treaty re-signed/Leaders hope for unity
By Yvonne Baboolal Guardian Media T&T
Caricom heads of government view a Chinese dragon dance at the Chaguaramas Convention Centre at a function marking the re-enactment yesterday of the 1973 Treaty of Chaguaramas.
After 40 years, the Treaty of Chaguaramas, signed in 1973 to create Caribbean unity but still largely unsuccessful, was signed again yesterday by 15 Caricom prime ministers at the same place it was initially signed—the Convention Centre, Chaguaramas. Making a strong renewed call for Caribbean unity, the heads of government conceded at the re-enactment of the July 4, 1973, signing of the treaty that regional integration was still not where they wanted it to be. At the 1973 signing were Forbes Burnham (Guyana); Michael Manley (Jamaica); Errol Barrow (Barbados) and Dr Eric Williams (Trinidad and Tobago).
At Wednesday’s (3) event were president of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute Tiina Intelmann; president of the 67th United Nations General Assembly Vuk Jeremic; secretary general of the Association of Caribbean States Ambassador Alfonso Munera and representatives of the Inter-American Development Bank, Pan American Health Organization and the Organization of American States. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, addressing the gathering, paid tribute to the “founding fathers” of the region for executing what, she said, was perhaps the most significant accord that would govern the relationship of the nation states in the Caribbean Community. She said: “Let this re-enactment today be not just a physical dramatisation of our past but a tangible re-dedication to the future. “Let it be the reincarnation of the spirit and intent of the charter of July 4, 1973. Let today become our moment for a new resolve, for rejuvenated determination and consciousness.”
The prime ministers of the four countries which signed the Chaguaramas Treaty—T&T, Guyana, Barbados and Jamaica—delivered short addresses. Jamaica Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller was loudly applauded for a speech, in which she reminded the heads of government that Caribbean integration was a process not an event. Noting that as a community the Caribbean has much to be proud of, Simpson-Miller said: “We, the Caribbean, are great peoples, whose spirit continues to infuse the world with music, colour, spice, vibrancy, excitement. “No challenge can daunt our people who created the technology that makes sweet music from steelpans. “No problem can stop people whose reggae musical forms have inspired revolutionary change across the world.
“The world stood still when the Caribbean took centre stage at the (London) Olympics. Nothing can stop a united Caribbean people who hail from the crests of the Blue Mountains to the glassy waters of the Grand Anse. “We are from the deep forests of Guyana and Suriname. We celebrate the beautiful bays of St Vincent, the hot sulphur springs of St Lucia and Dominica. Let us unite as one region to shape the future of Caricom together.”
President of the Republic of Guyana Donald Ramotar said the need for regional integration was probably greater now than it was 40 years ago. The global financial crisis had impacted heavily on the region, making the need for greater integration more urgent, Ramotar said. Noting that “some progress” has been made since the 1973 treaty, he said: “There is a need to reflect on whether the people of the region have benefited fully from the integration process.” The 15 Caricom heads of government re-enacted the signing of the treaty on a simple, wooden table onstage before the audience, which included several primary schoolchildren. Artistes from Jamaica, Barbados and Guyana performed but it was the T&T contingent who put on a stunning act, choreographed by top mas designer Brian McFarlane, that stole the show which represented every ethnic group in the country.
PHOTO: SHIRLEY BAHADUR – Caricom heads of government view a Chinese dragon dance at the Chaguaramas Convention Centre at a function marking the re-enactment yesterday of the 1973 Treaty of Chaguaramas
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NOTE: In the photograph you can see Cayman’s Premier, Hon. Alden McLaughlin far right watching the Chinese dragon dance.
