Where is the unity?
published: Thursday | September 30, 2004

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I FOUND it interesting that the letter from the gentleman in Barbados recently ('Lesson from cricket on Caribbean unity') should be speaking about the need for Caribbean unity while inferring that it was the team of Barbadians who handed the West Indies its recent victory. Surely, these two men did not win the match as individuals or Barbadians, but as members of the West Indies cricket team.

As to Caribbean unity, Jamaica has supported attempts to form a single market, which also includes the free movement of labour (and some other islands have not been happy to accept). Further, I am fully in favour of deeper unity within the region but I also see nothing wrong with having a lively debate about such issues, especially one of such immense importance. After all, that is what democracy is about.

The implication that Jamaica should have no reservations about Caribbean unity because we are suffering from increasing crime and poverty is ludicrous, to say the least. In short, I applaud this gentleman for his support of deeper integration within the region. However, some sentiments as expressed in his letter cannot be healthy to fostering a unified Caribbean where all are seen as equally important players.

I am, etc.,

INDIANNA D. MINTO

I.D.Minto@lse.ac.uk

Law Department

London School of Economics

and Political Science

Houghton Street,

London, UK