OPPOSITION LEADER Edward Seaga ignited a firey debate in the House of Representatives yesterday after he argued that the rush to establish the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) smacked of federalism.
Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided by constitutional right between national and local units of government in regions. "Once the (CSME) gets going then haste has to be the order of the day to establish the CARICOM Commission to take the place of CARICOM, then to the Assembly of Caribbean Community Parliamentarians," said Mr. Seaga. He further argued that the stages would be moved until there is a regional political union.
"If this is not so then somebody tell me why?" said Mr. Seaga. "Those who want to go the route of federation better go about it differently this time." The debate which took place during the tabling of two CSME related bills, piloted by Development Minister Paul Robertson, forced a marathon session and drew several warnings from the Opposition bench before the two bills were passed with staunch backing from Government members.
ACCUSATION
Security Minister Peter Phillips dismissed the accusation as an "old bogey" that had been worn, tried and failed and assured the House that the Cabinet had no intention to enter into a federal government with the rest of CARICOM.
"This is a weighty matter for the future of the Caribbean. There are many examples of common markets with synchronised economic policies, whether it is EU, Mercusor... which has not resulted in the loss of sovereignty for the participating countries," said Minister Phillips.
Several of the Opposition MPs, including the Opposition Leader, were seen leaving the House before the bills were eventually passed.
