PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC:
PRIME MINISTER Patrick Manning has defended his administration's decision to seek closer political integration with islands of the Eastern Caribbean, saying the issue is no longer optional but mandatory for Trinidad and Tobago.
Speaking at the ruling People's National Movement (PNM) annual conference of delegates in San Fernando on the weekend, Manning said, however, that nothing would be done until the people of the twin-island republic had decided the matter.
Manning dismissed suggestions that he was moving in the dead of the night to bring about the political integration, warning though "if we don't do that, the economy of Trinidad and Tobago will suffer".
Manning said that Trinidad and Tobago was committed to social and political integration with the rest of the Caribbean adding, "what we are doing today is no different from January 1956 when attempts were made by the late Prime Minister Dr. Eric Williams to pursue social and economic ties with other islands of the Caribbean."
Manning described the discussions now taking place among Caribbean countries as a symbiotic one. "We will benefit from them and they will benefit from us," he said.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Manning told a special meeting of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders that there was need for closer political union as he outlined new initiatives aimed at deepening the economic relationship of the region. He made it clear that Port of Spain could only "continue to assist in the context of some agreement among CARICOM countries", particularly those in the southern region.
"All of this points, not just simply in the direction of regional integration, rather, a clear case seems to emerge for greater and speedier integration of the southern Caribbean," Manning said. "This is the direction and approach the Government of Trinidad and Tobago perceives as necessary, and we shall be working assiduously to achieve what is required in this regard."
Manning told the PNM meeting that while Port of Spain is anxious to enter into social and political unions with other Caribbean states, "we cannot enter into a political association with any Caribbean country until we get the approval from the population".
As we continue to talk about political integration with Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the targeted date is 2008," he said, noting general elections will be held here in 2007.
"We are not doing anything without a mandate from the people," he said.
