THE EDITOR, Sir:
I HAVE read your assessment of the new African Union (AU) along with the opinion of other news organisations. However, nowhere do I see it discussed how Jamaica can take advantage of its position with this new organisation.
Jamaica should seek membership in the AU, either on its own or as a member of CARICOM. While I have some reservations about the AU the successor organisation to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) it seems like an organisation whose membership might be worth exploring. As a part of the African diaspora, Jamaica and other Caribbean countries should easily qualify as full members or at least members with observer status.
Just think:
Jamaica would have access to another potentially huge tariff-free market while Africa would have our expertise and skills to help develop the continent.
Jamaica would have more political support in world forums, i.e. UN.
For our Back-to-Africa supporters, it would bring Africa to Jamaica and vice versa, so to speak.
It would represent a culmination of Jamaican support for African unity over the years, including the works of Marcus Garvey in particular.
Membership in AU would not preclude us joining other new area organisations Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) for example.
I am etc,
ANTHONY ANDERSON
dsayreandy@aol.com
Via Go-Jamaica
