Adrian Frater, Staff Reporter
Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Perry Christie. - Patrick Campbell/Staff Photographer
WESTERN BUREAU:
DESPITE EXPRESSING his country's willingness to be an integral part of CARICOM, Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie has made it clear that he is not interested in entering any global arrangement that will be disadvantageous to his country.
Speaking at a press briefing in Montego Bay, the site of the 24th meeting of the Heads of Government of CARICOM, the Bahamian Prime Minister, whose country has not signed off on the provision of either the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) or the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), said they were exploring the possibilities but they were not ready.
"Until such time as CARICOM and its leadership become relevant in the presence and in their identification of the issues in the Bahamas, it will be difficult to tell the people that this is the way to go," said Prime Minister Christie, who said Barbados Prime Minister Owen Arthur, would be visiting his country within the next two weeks to help to advance the cause of CARICOM. However, while he did not sign off on the CSME, the Bahamas Prime Minister said his country was already embracing some of its principles, especially with regards to the free movement of people in the region.
CARIBBEAN NATIONALS
"Based on a study commissioned by my Government, we have found out that the Bahamas employs more Caribbean nationals than any other country in the region," said Prime Minister Christie. "The contribution of Caribbean nationals to the economy of the Bahamas has always been positive."
Referring to the contentious issue of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has caused the United States Government to suspend military aid to 35 countries, including six from CARICOM, Prime Minister Christie would not say outright whether or not he would sign the document.
However, he did make it clear that his country would not do anything to harm their relationship with the United States. "We have not yet ratified (it). My Cabinet has not yet made a decision to proceed to ratification. We are obviously going to engage in discussions with our friends to ensure that the best interest of the Bahamas is served and protected," Prime Minister Christie continued. "Because of our friendly relations with the U.S. because of our proximity, we shall endeavour to ensure that our relations are not impaired by the treaty of Rome (where the ICC treaty was formulated) or any other treaty."
Mr. Christie said the Bahamas needed to understand the implications of all the new global arrangements before it could join in any of the international treaties such as FTAA (Free Trade Areas of the Americas), the WTO (World Trade Organization) and the CSME.
TOURISM
On the matter of tourism, in which he seemed to have a common position with the other Caribbean leaders, Prime Minister Christie said tourism was the real strength of the region.
He said if the Caribbean is to generate maximum benefit from its tourism potential, ways must be found for collective marketing.
"Tourism is the most important asset to the region," said Prime Minister Christie. "Unless the leaders realize that tourism is the best product we have, we will not achieve maximum benefit from it."
