By Adrian Frater, Lindsay MacKoon, Gleaner WritersFORMER TRINIDAD and Tobago President, A.N.R. Robinson, yesterday lashed the United States for its decision to cut military aid to six CARICOM states because they support the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Trinidad and Tobago has been listed among the six.
"It is an attack on the national community and international law," the retired President said.
At the same time, it is understood that another United States official, more conversant with the issues relating to the ICC, is scheduled to arrive in the island later this week to discuss the matter with regional leaders attending the 24th meeting of CARICOM's Heads of Government, now under way in Montego Bay, St. James.
DRUG LORDS WILL BE HAPPY
"The only persons who are going to be happy in respect to this move by the U.S. are going to be the drug lords. They are going to be happiest of all because one would have thought the U.S. is engaged in a campaign with the rest of the Caribbean region in the fight against crime, particularly those committed by the drug lords," Mr. Robinson said.
Other Caribbean countries affected are Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Dominica, Barbados, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The U.S. had set July 1 as the deadline for countries to agree to exemption for Americans from prosecution by the court. The Bush administration said it fears the court could lead to false and politically motivated prosecution of U.S. citizens.
But Robinson, who has been instrumental in the setting up of the court, said the decision was "extremely regrettable".
At the same time, the former head of state, who also served as Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago from 1986 to 1991, stressed that the court was already firmly established and "will be defended and (will) survive all attacks".
Also puzzled by the decision is Trinidad's Attorney-General, Glenda Morean, who pointed out that the twin-island republic's support for the court remained unchanged. "We have no option but to support the court."
Yesterday, Robert Zoellick, U.S. Trade Representative, shied away from any detailed discussion on his country's decision to cut off military aid to 35 countries, including the six from CARICOM.
Ambassador Zoellick, who is in Montego Bay to discuss, among other issues, the Free Trade of the Americas (FTAA) with Caribbean Trade Ministers who are attending the 24th CARICOM Summit in the western city, said he was not the competent authority to speak on his country's decision to penalise the 35 nations.
POWELL MUST RESPOND
"This is not my area of specialty," he said. "It is a question more suited for Colin Powell (U.S. Secretary of State) and Donald Rumsfeld (U.S. Defence Secretary) and the U.S. State Department."
Speaking to the issue in a general sense, the Trade Representative said the U.S. had a responsibility to the men and women (troops) who are sent overseas to ensure that they are treated fairly and not become some political exercise, which put them at risk after they have put their lives on the line in the service of their country.
Despite the action taken against the six, Ambassador Zoellick was quite emphatic in stating that the U.S. had the best interest of the Caribbean at heart. In fact, he said his decision to visit the region for the 30th anniversary of CARICOM and the 24th Heads of Government summit was essentially to listen and to learn more about the region.
"We can try to help the CARICOM countries most effectively in negotiations if we have a sense of the specific problems they are facing, so that we can try to customise solutions," he said.
