Time to smarten up guys – that’s the advice to OECS leaders Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica, Antigua’s Baldwin Spencer and Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St Vincent and the Grenadines from former Grenadian public officer and frequent contributor on Caribbean affairs, Toronto-based Ian Francis.
He has labeled an embarrassment, the back-tracking of these three leaders on a recent ALBA declaration adopted on the territorial Falklands Islands dispute between Britain and Argentina.
The Bolivarian Alliance (ALBA) declaration said it supported “the decision made by the countries of the region to ban ships with the colonial flag imposed on the Malvinas from entering their ports”.
In a previous story, Dominica News Online reported that both Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica in post-ALBA summit statements said they did not support the banning of ships as stated in the declaration.
Francis in a commentary on the matter, says “Suffice to say that whatever spins or clarification these three leaders seek to advance, the episode is of great embarrassment and the three ALBA enthusiasts could have presumed a number of likely occurrences before they left their respective domains”.
According to him all three should have been aware of a previous Caribbean Community (CARICOM) position on the UK/Argentina dispute when it flared into military action several years ago.
Here is some of what the writer says about the matter:
This grave error committed by our three regional leaders is inexcusable and reflects on the ability and knowledge of persons in the region. Several thoughts have emerged in my thinking that require me to ask the following five questions.
1) Prior to departing from their respective capitals for Caracas, were the three leaders briefed by foreign affairs officials about the Britain-Argentina conflict?
2) Were the three Caribbean leaders at the ALBA talk shop aware that, in 1980, CARICOM governments had taken a unanimous position on the conflict, which is stored at the CARICOM Secretariat in Georgetown, Guyana?
3) Did the three Caribbean ALBA enthusiasts call the CARICOM secretary general for a search of the CARICOM archives that would have discovered the positions taken by our heads in 1980? If this was done and information properly consumed, these three leaders could have indicated to the other disciples that there was already a CARICOM position in existence and they were obliged to be guided by the decision. Therefore, they could not vote or support the resolution.
4) What was the composition of each the three leaders’ delegation?
5) Do they now understand that ALBA, CELAC and other hastily put together Chavez initiatives will not benefit the Caribbean Commonwealth nations, as the motive and intent of these institutions is anti-United States and Canada?
In conclusion, let me categorically state that I was not surprised at the behaviour of the three but rather deeply embarrassed. It only shows the extremely poor governing style of Baldie, Comrade and Roosevelt.
U people who are so blinded by your partisan one sided politics must start being objective and realistic.Caricom is a body of nations put together and make and take decisions unanimously after the leaders has studied the proposals.So for these three Caricom leaders to just jump into conclusion on everything one mad man like Chavez come up with because of his personal conflict with the U.S.A and England is really crooked on their part.We are not going to benefit anything positive from that,the day Chavez gone from power all will be lost and these Caricom islands will be left on the accoount of the U.S.A,Canada,England and the rest of the European Union to fend for them,look the French is already here carrying on exercises as to which beach is the best for landind their craft in the event of an emergency.Wise up people and think right.
Interesting revelation Mr. Ian Francis. Whereas CARICOM may have taken a decision in 1980 does not mean that decision cannot be changed in 2012. However, I am concerned with the motive of ALBA on it’s decision on Falkland Islands.
As a member of CARICOM, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica and Grenada should recognize that while we have diplomatic relations with Venezuela, that country has ulteria motives. Venezuela it must be noted still lay claim to 2/3 two thirds of Guyuna, a member country of CARICOM. Guatemala still claim ownership of Belize and Venezuela claimed Bird Island which rightfully belong to Dominica. So look out CARICOM, the wolf beginning to show it’s ugly teeth… just my few cents
The 1980’s was a disaser for the Caribbean , Britain and the world. so to be stuck with a wrong decision made in the 1980’s is no very forward thinking. Britain and the Malvinas are rethinking their positions.The malvinas are looking towards independence and ritain towards giving it. The government of th caribbeans islands should look towards supporting a small nation wanting independence.Not handing it ver to Argentina against the people will.
It is good to see that we are in the mindset of supporting small states seeking their independence and self control. It begs the question… Why the one China Policy ignoring Taiwan’s ability to self govern as it clearly demonstrates in its economic might.
There is no shame or embarrassment in having a different point of view from that taken by ALBA. Governments also reserve the right to chart the course taken by their countries even if it’s in conflict with that taken by their predecessors 30 years ago.
In 1962 the OAS suspended Cuba and in 2009 that suspension was revoked. The Organization of African Unity,(OAU), boycotted the 1976 Olympics in Canada because the New Zealand rugby team played in apartheid South Africa that year. Two African countries still participated. Guyana joined the boycott while other caribbean countries, including Castro’s Cuba, participated.
CARICOM and many world leaders supported the liberation of Zimbabwe. Today, Zimbabwe is isolated. The United States and Canada supported apartheid South Africa. Today, they pretend to hold Nelson Mandela in high esteem. The OECS invited the USA to invade Grenada but that did not prevent the USA from wrecking our banana industry. Spencer, Skerrit and Gonzalves are tactical enough, I guess, to avoid being mired in that conflict. Good move.
I think this is quite pathetic on behalf of Mr. Ian Francis. I can understand that you are not happy with the alliance of these ministers with Chavez but to act like what these ministers have done has never been done before is unimaginable. There have been past American governments that have reniged on treaties with Russia and other countries based on the circumstances of the day are different from days gone by and it was perfectly o.k. Every country has a right to reasses its position on any matter and act accordingly.
While he is crying down our PM’s let him know that Grenada Airport is closing down because they behind schedule payment to taiwan. Another bad decision. Sir it came back to your doorstep thanks for the advice.
I am a frequent reader of Caribbean News Now, and trust me there are a lot of contributors such as this Francis guy (the Theodore lady fro DA and others) who just sit behing their computers writing a load of crap squarley based on their politically-biased, Canadian and US residential and obiviously pro-western, imperialist perspective. Obviously I wouldn’t expect anything from these folks who are just trying to fit into their adopted countries and are being the ‘boomboom flies’that is expected of them. However, there are a number of us who will not sell out our hardfought struggles for independence and liberation from colonialism and imperialism to start singing the ‘Yankee song’.
People like Comrade Chavez and the three heroic Caribbean leaders in ALBA are fighting the hard fight for the betterment of their long-suffering poor people, and while they are not perfect (and yes do make the occasional mistakes) their hearts are in the right places and they are fighting a JUST cause. I wonder of the likes of Mr Francis and his cohots out there who dedicate themselves to spread the imperialists message can say the same???
FIGHT for independence my foot. What about Taiwan’s independence.
It was clear to me that our very own pm did not understand the issue(s ) when he claimed that he is not too concerned about ships registered in the Falkland island. That was his usual foot in mouth behavior.what we have is a bunch of copy cat, monkey see monkey do leaders who are prepared to the make fools of it’s people to please Chavez.
What distrut thinking?.as usual he follows Gonzales and allow the Gonzales character to make decisions on our behalf.
After reading your first two lines, I was lead to believe that you were well informed.
Did you not read that the artickle is from former Grenadian public officer and frequent contributor on Caribbean affairs, Toronto-based Ian Francis? Are you saying DNO did not verify this information?
You are quick to divert from the significance of the subject, huh?
well i guess after thought caused them to retrack their earlier motives…haha
they must have seen what was coming for them..
these caribbean folks have to know they a small fish and have to obey the right way of order in this world…
charvez style isnt a good for us in the caribbean
way too one sided…why not look at his country Venezula..see how much the opposition is gaing ground as charvez sells out the resources of their country before his own citizens having a better quality of life..
next is dominica..the regime is so dark sided they will sell their new electricity to others before their very own citizens in dominica firstly see the benefits..trust me on that case!
Our leaders have to be very careful with who they partner, I know sometimes we try to justify certain decisions based on right or wrong. But in this world where financial policies and world powers dictate our quality of life, its better to be on the side of the lion than the bull that think what the lion is doing is wrong…
As much as chavez flexes his muscles his money and its values are regulated by the financial policies and regulations put forward and controlled by the world powers. So venezuelan pesos or sucre could soon find itself so inflated, it end up with the same value as the zimbabwean dollar.
Its an unfair world but its the reality we have to deal with…
Amen to that brother!
Why not evolved ?????? Because he or she must defend their PM no matter what. So who Ian Francis is bears importance to Satelite !!!!!!
LOL WOW, if it was me that say…….if it was DNO that say, If it was Kairi, QFM, DBS or CHECKO that say……LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL wow what a soap opera “AS THE WORLD TURNS”. NEXT EPISODE PLEASE
ohh how i love the music when it plays, scratch the record admin….lollll i hope ur not one like wikileaks or the other blokes that hate america soooo much they dont care if the drag us into a war….well we are the grass… i root for no elephant….i root for peace and prosperity for alllll of us. laybar and daybar included…
If anyone alive today does not know about Falkland and Argentina they should resign. However should we make a political blunder of the 80’s to restrict our capability to move forward.. This was a bureaucratic fallacy and these three leaders are no fools so you Mr. Ian Francis put your correct name and show you face
If you don’t care Satelite, why go public with your views? You’d gain more respect if you addressed the issue rather than questioning the messenger’s motives.
hmmmmm
If I do not know who the number of foreign advisors with diplomatic passports my country Dominica has, knowing Ian is not on my list- THE MESSAGE IS MORE IMPORTANT.
I am now wondering if I should be ashamed that Mr Ian Francis had the time to devise this utter nonsense or at DNO for publishing it.
1. Regardless of whatever decision that was taken at the 1980s meeting, 30 years later, governments have changed and will continue to do so in the best interest of the people of their respective nations. What may have been in our best interest then certainly may not hold water now.
2. ALBA, CELAC and other initiatives have provided Caribbean nations far more resources in recent times than the US has provided in years. No longer will our nations sit by and have the US dictate what goes on in our countries. If relations are to improve between the US and CARICOM then its best they put their money where their mouth is.
You are so correct, after reading this commentary especially the second question raised i said to my self does this writer knows that Governments change and so are the polices of the Country, so what nonsense was he talking about.
I would like to further state that joining alliances and making friendship doses not mean you have to give up your sovereignty. These three
Leaders clearly showed that.This also shows within the ALBA member Countries that some Countries may have disagreements on international Polices doesn’t mean that their is a weakness or misunderstanding by these Three Leaders. The US are members of many organizations and they do not always agree on certain polices or statements in support of some Nations, clear example their support for Israel so why is it these Three leaders cannot do the same.
To Mr IAN FRANCIS if I understand your point correctly,are you of the wiew that the decision taken in 1980 taking into consideration the prevailing cicumstances at that time should not be changed in todays contex as it relates to ALBA? Hope you`re not stuck in that mindset and have us to believe we should still be stuck to that “MENTAL SLAVERY” and die that way cause it pertains to our former “MASTERS” change is for betterment and I can say Dominica is far better and will continue to be that way as long as we have forward thinking Leaders you seek to ridicule. MY advise to you MR IAN FRANCIS join the forward movements of our brave Caribbean Leaders and we will welcome you any time. Cause if you`re stuck in your mindset stay there by your self while we move forward in 2012 and beyond. You are always welcome. Much respect and lets agree to disagree without being disagreeable. I thank You. SIR!
One word “utterrubbish”.
hhhmmmm but laybarrats will crucify this messenger… it is truly embarrassing how this occured… these men are not fit to hold such positions.. they make hasty decisions based on personal emotion… never thinking of the masses that their decisions have great impact on… dominicans.. every time a leader try to squeeze against first world nations… they only make it harder for you and your future generations…
Why are you so silly, why is it you are so fixated on partisan politics. It never seems to me that you do understand anything. How nonsensical can you be to make a statement that these three Leaders are going to make things harder for the future generation. For you reading without reflecting is like eating without digesting.
yaaaawwwwwwnnnnnnnnn!!! stop tickling me garcon… i want to sleep…. yyyyaaawwwwnnnn
The show is OVER Roosevelt! Take a Bow and leave gracefully!
Who is Ian Francis, and where does he live? What are his interests in the Caribean? Where does he pay his taxes and who benefits from it?
These are my views, and I don’t care what anyone of you may comment about it.
first comment a laybarrat on the attack of the messenger not trying to make sense of the message… smh…
Mouth of the sort, do you take time to analyze what is stated or do you just act like a robot?
Ok UPPPPRAT!
I support you 100000000% . People just surfacing from wherever and say and write what they want.
Dominicans are everywhere, and we are watching. Don’t you believe for one minute that we are all stupid.
what a stupid comment on your part – did attack the messenger – process the message – Caribbean leaders do not take their job seriously – you would expect that before attending any meeting, they would be briefed on what a likely position they can take
Dominicans – some Dominicans really are stupid! Wake up Satelite – sakwey sot!
It takes a bigger fool to evaluate and call one a fool
You do not care because of your selfish and blindness to any argument. Leaders guide us into the future with a handle of and experience from the past. Unlearned leaders will ultimately create more problems for coming generations if their visions are limited only to the present. Secondly, you should not restrict your sources of information or advice to only those next to you. In other words, if only those living in Dominica should know all that is needed for the development of this nation, why are not all your experts and engineers living in DA? Let’s look at it this way, contributions to ones development is not always in the form of dollar and cents – taxes. My writing in response to your silly remarks may be of more importance than your narrow mindedness. It’s time we think of Dominica and country full of talented people, with different dreams and aspirations – not as one person who can be here today and gone tomorrow. Stop defending one man but think of thousands here and aboard who have the interest of this country at a heart – put your country before your politics. Yet surely, PUT GOD FIRST.
Well said!! Couldn’t agree with you more. This narrow-mindedness is killing Dominica.
Are these views or questions?
As far as I know, Ian Francis lives in Toronto, Canada; was a former Assistant Secretary in the Grenada Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Now that you know, do what you do best, attack the messenger because you cannot accept the truth of the message. Typical!!
u don’t care but u come back to read what was said! hmmmm!