By Phyllis Thomas, News Editor 
THE ARRIVAL of former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide here occupied the major spots in the news for much of last week.
Initially, I felt uncomfortable with his coming because of the implications for regional stability. In fact I will continue to be a bit apprehensive until Mr. Aristide's two-month stay here comes to an end.
This, however, is not a criticism of the decision of Prime Minister P.J. Patterson to accede to Mr. Aristide's request to come here to be reunited with his daughters. My concern has to do with the fact that Jamaica being so close to Haiti, could be exploited as a platform from which to set in motion any ambitions he may have for a re-entry into politics in Haiti. He has been quoted as saying that he still regards himself as the President of Haiti and when he left the Central African Republic, he was further reported as saying that he had not abandoned his ambitions.
Let him pursue his ambitions. Nothing is wrong with that as long as it's not on Jamaican soil. Though we sympathise with his position and believe that he was deposed rather than resigning, Jamaica cannot be the base for any resurgence. Mr. Artiside has given his word that the country will not be used to further his political ambitions. And the Government has warned him against it.
CARICOM heads will have their Inter-Sessional Meeting in St. Kitts this week, during which time they are to take a position on their now renegade member Haiti. I am restating a position I had taken some weeks ago, that Haiti should be suspended from CARICOM. The new Prime Minister, Gerard Latortue, has already recalled his diplomats from the region and pulled Haiti's membership from CARICOM. But when CARICOM meets it should simply formalise the suspension of Haiti.
Latortue said: "We are going to put to sleep all participation in the activity of CARICOM," a statement which has made him the laughing stock of many Jamaicans.
Some have hit back: "So we ago run and bawl?" "So what? Is like a man who puts a notice in the paper that he is no longer responsible for his wife when 'im don't even have two shillings."
Other persons have already said that Haiti has nothing to offer to CARICOM and should not have been given membership status in the first place.
This jack-ass of a man, by his utterances and his actions including the Cabinet that he has named, is merely validating the positions of those who believe Haiti is insignificant to CARICOM.
The mettle of CARICOM will be tested when the members meet. To vote to suspend Haiti even a vote not to give recognition to the U.S.-backed Government now in Haiti could further ruffle the feathers of the U.S. who has been showing signs of agitation and who, with apology to no one, punishes those it perceives to be against it.
With many of the economies in the region small, indebted and dependent on the U.S. markets; with the so-called global market being driven by U.S. and allies' policies, survival of these small economies don't stand a ghost of a chance at survival if the U.S. decides to apply pressure.
Also, member states of CARICOM have stated their commitment to economic integration the Single Market and Economy by next year but insularity of member states remains an ominous threat. They say they are on track with arrangements for the removal, by year-end, of the first set of restrictions to free movement of goods, services, capital and labour, that would start the implementation process but they continue to eye each other with suspicion.
Up to last month Trinidad and Barbados had a trade row which soured relations between them. Prime Minister Owen Arthur, in retaliation against the treatment of Barbadian fishermen in Trinidadian waters, announced that his Government was putting a wide range of Trinidadian goods under an import licensing regime. Then Trinidad's nervousness over Jamaica's investment surge in that country resulted in a stand-off, though short-lived.
So these kinds of unresolved issues at the back of their minds could influence how they deal with the Haitian situation when they meet.
Then again, we could see a principled vote which reaffirms the position they held which says they are not recognising an undemocratic Government.
I am only sorry for the ordinary Haitian people caught in the middle of all this.
Comments? You can e-mail me at phyllis.thomas@gleanerjm.com
