Less than a week after he was sworn in as Prime Minister of Saint Lucia Kenny Anthony was on his way to Venezuela to join other Caribbean and Latin American leaders for a special meeting to form the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, or CELAC. The group according to reports is the brainchild of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, and according to the Miami Herald it would “blunt US influence in the region and replace the Organization of American States, the only group that’s opened to all countries in the hemisphere.”
When he returned from his trip the Prime Minister told the nation it was important for Saint Lucia to renew its ties with Venezuela. The St Lucia Labour Party government under the leadership of Kenny Anthony has long been a close ally of Venezuela. In fact months before the Labour Party lost the 2006 general elections the country was well on its way to being signed to the PetroCaribe agreement between Venezuela and other CARICOM member-states. Dr Anthony has made no secret of the fact that he believes it would be in Saint Lucia’s interest to enter into such an agreement.
But where does he stand with other issues when it comes to Venezuela and other Latin American countries? This week just as he returned from Caracas the Prime Minister had to deal with reports that Saint Lucia and Suriname were seeking membership of the Bolivarian Alliance of the Americas (ALBA). The Prime Minister attended ALBA’s 11TH Summit in Venezuela but said reports Saint Lucia had applied to join the grouping were false.
According to caribbeantrakker.com Dr Anthony made it clear at the summit that while St Lucia would engage in discussions with a view to determine whether it would establish ties with ALBA, joining the organisation was not possible at this time.
“I explained that the process cannot commence due to political and constitutional considerations, and by that I meant that our Cabinet of Ministers would first have to consider the implications of joining ALBA,” Dr Anthony was quoted as saying.
The website report goes on: “The Prime Minister noted that countries like St Lucia are facing the harsh reality of declining aid sources and stressed that the island had very few friends in a difficult and complex world and it must now search for alternative funds for development purposes.”
Quoting Dr Anthony directly it stated: “It is going to be critical and crucial that St Lucia look for new opportunities of support and in particular for Governments who are willing to assist the development of the country
. . . So we have to be busy, we have to search for new sources of funding and it is in that context that we have to look at organisations like ALBA as an option . . . But as of now we are not members and cannot be members until such time that our Cabinet of Ministers has made the determination.”
A Miami Herald article published on Sunday, however, stated that: “During the presidential summit, the leaders of Suriname and St Lucia said they would seek formal inclusion into the bloc.”
The grouping which is watched closely by the US is known for its left leaning stances and controversial decisions. According to the Miami Herald report “the eight-member group pushed plans to launch its own regional bank and expand the use of the virtual currency, the sucre, to promote dollar-free trade between the nations.”
The news report also said that on Sunday, “the alliance came out in support of the Syrian government, blasted England for its ‘imperialist’ intentions against Argentina over the disputed Falkland Islands, and ratified a statement asking for Puerto Rican independence.”
With such controversial decisions one wonders whether St Lucia can afford the repercussions that may come from joining ALBA. And have we in fact already said to Venezuela that we intend to join?
What about the recent decisions made by ALBA? Is St Lucia in agreement with where the grouping stands on the Falkland islands? What about ALBA’s support for the Syrian government? And, also why would St Lucia want to join a group that would require US citizens to get visas to visit their territories? How damaging would tat be to our tourism industry? There is no doubt the Prime Minister needs to make a clear statement as to where St Lucia stands on these issues and the effect it could have on our relationship with our other allies.k and expand the use of the virtual currency, the sucre, to promote dollar-free trade between the nations.”
The news report also said that on Sunday, “the alliance came out in support of the Syrian government, blasted England for its ‘imperialist’ intentions against Argentina over the disputed Falkland Islands, and ratified a statement asking for Puerto Rican independence.”
With such controversial decisions one wonders whether St Lucia can afford the repercussions that may come from joining ALBA. And have we in fact already said to Venezuela that we intend to join?
What about the recent decisions made by ALBA? Is St Lucia in agreement with where the grouping stands on the Falkland islands? What about ALBA’s support for the Syrian government? And, also why would St Lucia want to join a group that would require US citizens to get visas to visit their territories? How damaging would tat be to our tourism industry? There is no doubt the Prime Minister needs to make a clear statement as to where St Lucia stands on these issues and the effect it could have on our relationship with our other allies.
ALBA: Who’s bending the truth?
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Kenny better come and say something. It is too early into this 3rd term for anyone to think that he has resorted back to his old tricks.
Everything has implications. Joining ALBA is no less so.
Our choice is either to stay with the OAS which is tied to the sinking American and European empire or That we be visionary and join the emerging ALBA which is tied to the the world’s coming Mega super power.The Chinese Indian Asian combine.
Do you think that the Chinese will be take long to be ahead militarily,if they are not already? Remember the Chinese are masters at keeping secrets. Consider as well India’s leadership in the computer world re programming etc.Come on don’t be scared.Further America’s military adventures will sooner or later be met with superior force,a force they ,the U.S and allies, cannot see coming.
Who invented the sucre ?
“Center-Left”….Better days Baby!
As much as I hate Kenny Anthony for playing kissing cousins with Raul, Fidel Castro and second cousins Hugo Chavez, The United States policy toward St. Lucia is much to be blame for Kenny’s actions. In the PM’s views St. Lucia desperately needs help, and he does not care if comes from the devil.
Kenny Anthony will kill the tourism in this country by becoming partners with Chavez and the Chinese. He will go to bed with any country that offers money and will sell the St Lucian soul to the devil.
Whatever the facts Kenny is always right? Right? En Rouge?
American need to take a seriously take a look at St. Lucia because they about to start making more bomb and any other small country in the hemisphere a la Dr. King. Nous toute en rouge.
A post after my own dear heartt! Couldnt have said it better! Better days…Legalize prostitution, both for the citizenry, de party and de contreeee…….Lushah raise yur skirt….they’re about to do some digging! Soon we will be celebrating the year of de rabbit de amount of chinawoman me see selling red and white ting for valentine all around da ville!
Truth can’t be bent, it is always straight, either it is or it is not truth. When you bend it you create a lie.
There’s lots of repetition in this story. I agree that we need to be VERY CAREFUL about the choices and decisions we make……Big Brother is always watching, and can make life very difficult for our struggling nation. Tread carefully……..
The Chav and the Chav not…indeed, the Prime Minister will do well to tread wisely on such a subject matter. For it appears that ‘small island’ states are being used as political pawns to settle ancient grudges. And how enticing the bone appears when – as a struggling economy – the only friends who appears to show any interest in one’s wellbeing are governments of questionable character. Isn’t it ironic that a nation who has produced two nobel laureates – and again ironically – one in economics, finds itself in such difficult positions? Governments past and present are to be blamed. For too long we have depended on foreign hand outs to effectuate our self determination.
con’t..
How long do we have to wait to acquire an accredited university so our people don’t have to exhorbitant sums in foreign unis? When are we going to embark on a national plan to nurture our people to be experts in various fields of science, information technology, agriculture etc etc so that we become manufacturers,inventors,innovators and discoverers? Our people are failed by not giving them the required tools to survive in an ever aggressive economic environment. Now is the time that we should take serious notes from Sir Arthur Lewis’s economic savviness. We should live up to that expectation as left to us by Sir Arthur Lewis.
Con’t…
On another note, on the global stage, if what is purported by this editorial has any verity, at the curtain call this could either end up a Comedy, a Tragedy or a Farce. And I am quite sure our second Nobel Laureate for Literature Honourable Walcott can prescribe a definition to the theatrics unfolding itself in the Caribbean.
Mr Prime Minister, To Chav or not to Chav, that is the question. We need to develop our people in the face of changing economic trends. The Arts and Artists are crying out for government to show more interest – and with good reason. Is it worth taking the vow To Chav and to hold? I am confident that the right decision will be made in the peoples…
Con’t..
in the peoples interest.
ON A SATIRICAL NOTE.
The Sucre? The pronunciation already sounds -or is that tastes – sweet on the tongue, but is that French or Spanish? For you see, our nationals are awarded scholarships to study in various foreign countries such as Cuba, Mexico, Taiwan etc. I am a language buff myself and think its great that our people can communicate in various languages. After all it will make doing business in Saint Lucia easier. Ok so the French for sugar is Sucre but the Spanish for sugar is Azucar. Are we being sold something that it appears not to be? Oooh that brought a sour taste to my mouth. Soon there may be more Spanish speakers in Saint Lucia than there are Kweyol and French.
SATIRE CON’T
And what about Manderin? Well with China’s growing influence that too is left to be seen. Don’t get me wrong folks, I am all for globalisation in the meantime…
KWEYOL: ban mwen un timiet sik pasque wimed sala amer en gorge mwen.
FRENCH: Donnez-moi un peu de sucre, parse que ce medicament est amer dans ma gorge.
SPANISH:….Just started learning
MANDERIN:…Haven’t started.
Just wanted to share this,found on the NET:
In the case of ALBA members Dominica, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Antigua and Barbuda, the new currency poses a dilemma, as they are already a member of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union and use the East Caribbean dollar.[5]
The SUCRE is named after Antonio José de Sucre, a leading figure in Latin America’s independence struggle. Agreement[6] in general terms for the currency was declared in Sucre’s birthplace of Cumaná, capital of Venezuela’s Sucre state, on April 16, 2009.[3] The formal treaty[7] establishing the regional payments clearinghouse was signed by the six presidents in Cochabamba, Bolivia, on October 17, 2009
I wish these articles contained more substance instead of these teasing questions at the end,sort of saying doomsday is on the horizon. lol
When we talk about St.Lucia’a allies, who are we referring to? Europe, the US, who? What is America doing for St.Lucia, what is Europe, more specifically England doing for St.Lucia?
Kenny as Prime Minister is right to seek new avenues of aid and support in order to revitalize our industries. I see nothing wrong with this move. It is important however to be clear what his motives are though. They must be for economic reasons. St.Lucia must do what is best for St.Lucia and that may mean moving away from the status quo.
I believe Grenada tried something similar in the past…can’t clearly recall what the results were……..hmmmm..
Maybe, we should use our resources by assisting our qualified St.Lucian Grads, that have the qualifications and motivation to move the country in a more positive direction,instead of them using their skills overseas,why not use it for the development of our own country. St.Lucia has many brilliant and educated scholars,people that are willing to start small Business Industries,Manufacturing and Engineering just to name a few,but for some reason (s) they prefer to travel to another country to use them.
The Grenada revolution was extremely popular and it helped the poor people tremendously. There are polls taken right after the invasion, Patrick Emmanuel (UWI) that show that Grenadians supported the revolution. The way it ended was not inevitable. Hopefully we learned something from it in terms of the limits of self-determination of micro-states and, perhaps most importantly, conflict resolution.
ALBA can offer Saint Lucia no more that it cannot achieve through its bilateral relations, so we should focus on building the capacity of our foreign service to make fuller use of our bilateral relations. Saint Lucia does not have to be a member of ALBA to get support from its members. The only Latin America countries that can do anything for us are Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Venezuela and Costa Rica and Cuba. Of these, only Venezuela and Cuba are members of ALBA. So why on earth do we need to join ALBA?
I’ve warned Kenny about walking on egg shells but noooooooo, he likes to go where Angels fear to tread.
Kenny should read this before he builds an alliance with those people, those wicked Latin Americans are cutting and starving the Islanders off. They have to ration eggs, vegetables etc. That’s evil.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16980747
So what would you expect from the BBC but anything to support their position. the Argentinian and other Latin american countries would have a different perspective.
Most of our news comes from British and American sources and this will always give us a bias supporting these countries and most of their position because this is the culture we are exposed too. Latin Americans has had a different experience which we may not be able to appreciate. I have no difficulty with St. lucia joining the Alba. We must stop restricting ourselves. We must be true to our own values and do what is in our best interest and at the same time respect other peoples values and their sovereignty.
What a difference a day makes…
Venezuela built WINERA
Venezuela built the wharf
All in Compton’s day…and it was good!
Today we have to be careful of our relationship with Venezuela!!!
Did Chavez suspend the democratic process in Venezuela???
I know many American families who are grateful for Venezuelan oil to heat their homes this winter!!!
They can have it…but we can’t!!!
Did Venezuela really build those two projects in St. Lucia? Wasn’t it Concreto Centrifugado (a private company)which built the New Docks in Castries? Our involvement with Venezuela was of a much different tone when we had the Venezuelan Cooperation Centre upstairs of the Adjodha building at the corner of the Boulevard near Constitution Park.
Having friendly relations with a friendly nation is not the same as being aligned with a region which is not known for being a hotbed of stability. Regardless of our desperation for financial assistance we cannot allow ourselves to fall between the mouths of feuding lions.
Look at the Humanitarian assistance the Cubans have given to so many developing countries. They have never told us how to run our countries. The USA and Europe wants to tell people how to run their countries. Look at the Syrian situation, Hilary
Clinton is openly calling for support for the opposition to topple the government. Tell me where do the opposition get their arms from. The Syrians want to overthrow their government that is their business. Why should i be taking sides. During the Iraq war all you heard from American network was how many americans were killed, did you ever hear a report saying how many Iraqis were killed each day? we got only one side of the story.
Mr. Anthony needs to realize that , in as much as we would would like to think so, St.lucia,as a people or as an economy, is in no position to shoulder such a burden. The nature of our economy, the types of industries it depends on and other factors necessitate us dealing with countries like the US in ways that we have traditionally done. It is true however that there may be benefit in joining ALBA but so far , given it’s size vis a vis the rest of the international community, we have no idea what risks we are taking even by considering inclusion. It’s not as difficult a decision as we would like to think : when you’re a small fish, it serves you well to behave like one
This is a touchy situation, we have to know the benefits for the country at this time and weigh the cons and the pros of this organisation. Will the loss out weigh the gain. We must know what is the gain of this alliance not to just for St. Lucia but for the organisation on a whole. Nothing comes for free and we need to know what is our payment for joining and if this organisation falls apart will we be able to with stand the fall out. How many other countries are thinking of joining and why. These are just some of the things we need to know
The race is for the swift because a CENTIPEDE has many legs but a COCKROACH is always faster, apply where needed for similarity
Whatever Our Prime Minister is up to, he`d better leave any decision to the Democratic People of St Lucia to decide! full stop! not going on signing things in secret to name a few which has happened in St. Lucian politics before! WE THE PEOPLE NEED TRANSPARENCY CLARITY in whatever the policy makers are up to!!! The latin American countries have already taken our bananas out of business! what more ? I`m not saying we should not be good neighbours,and help each other. We need more exposure in your politics, Dr. Anthony! or whoever runs Sweet St.Lucia!!
Leadership and change requires risk and pain and if all that can be taken into consideration is tourism then this country is finished. St Lucia has tied itself to a set of international allies and relations that has done what for it? If change is to come it will require risk and courage and the ability to take licks.