Recognising a brilliant Barbadian
Frankly Speaking...
The organising committee of the Third Annual Caribbean Media Conference should win public appreciation for a well-oiled, highly-organised, three-day international meeting of great significance. This column applauds their successful effort of some class over the last week-end. The Friday morning opening session at the Le Meridien was especially refreshing, different and stimulating. And it was during that opening session, amidst Oliver Clarke's inimitable, structured bullyism as a moderator, and after President Jagdeo's workmanlike, insightful address on the Caribbean and Guyanese media environment - and shortcomings - that I had the pleasure and privilege of listening to and recognising the wisdom of the Caribbean's most dynamic and pragmatic leader at this time. Yes, with whatever short-coming I might suffer from as "analyst" or commentator, I'm prepared to deem Barbadian Prime Minister Owen Arthur as the most enlightened and brilliant Caribbean statesman at this moment. And this brand of brilliance, to me had and has to do with the man's simple, yet profound pronouncements on the state of the Caribbean - its challenges and stupidities; its status and the possible solutions. All wrapped up in his packaged presentation, "The Caribbean environment" within the conference theme of "Perils, Potential and Prospects." Mind you, his coming to Regional Political prominence, after such eminent Bajans as the Barrows and Sandifords who led "Little England" before him made me hardly notice Mr Owen Arthur before. Sure, I had heard about his no-nonsense, hands-on economic management of his island nation - AND his representation of CARICOM in international fora, coupled with strict disciplinarian handling of his cabinet. But it was Friday's performance which left me in no doubt about Mr Arthur's abilities - his intellectual prowess, his political savvy and his apparent passion for Caribbean comity in the face of the world's aggressive economic globalisation and liberalisation. His main presentation was itself superb as he dealt with the imperatives of Regional Integration to include, hopefully, political union; his powerful promotion of a Caribbean Court of Justice and his vision of the role of the region's media. Mr Arthur was fortright and frank in his candid assessments of the puny efforts at integrating systems for survival even as the world begins to treat the Caribbean with "benign neglect" or just a cultivation of uni-dimensional relationships. But talk about speaking frankly? I marvelled at the Barbadian leader's responses to questions and issues raised after his speech. Even as I longed to ask him just how accommodating Barbados itself is to the "free movement of skills" and the signing of the Single Market and Economy Protocols, for example, Mr Arthur stunned me with brutal reality. "A politician", he said, "is dis-inclined to be too far ahead of public opinion". He was in effect conceding that though international reality demanded economic and political integration and harmonisation, the Caribbean people, in their individual societies, do not want any political union! For now the Caribbean Nation-State is a pipe dream! There isn't space or occasion here to enumerate all his visionary and positive prescriptions for Caribbean survival, but, believe me, this CARICOM leader who dons denims to watch cricket and is highly computer literate, declares that too many incumbent Caribbean political leaders are fashioned and making - or not making - decisions, out of a psyche that is shaped by the fear of losing (power). He qualifies therefore, to my mind, to be an honest leader and assessor of his peers. I'll have to return to these kudos next time.
Two Roberts, one Lloyd! In a word, a well-informed and duly-considered "word", I find the appointments interestingly appropriate. Premier Politician is he the first Robert: Robert Herman Orlando Corbin, is a wise and learned choice of the Parliamentary Opposition. For Attorney Corbin was once his Party's Campaign Director and is vested with substantial insights, experience and expertise in both elections and electoral matters. A great choice! The other Robert - Robert Edward Williams, now Deputy Mayor of the Capital, was also a one-time PNC field organiser at Elections with deep understanding of electoral requirements and standards. A wonderful appointment! Then there is the prominent, portly, priestly presence of Attorney Lloyd Joseph - a man obviously blessed with consistency of purpose. So, are the PPP/Civic appointees as interesting? I doubt it. All power to the Major-General's Commission.
Today's power punches 2. Just as I was warming up to opposition leader Mr Hoyte, he scared me once again last Tuesday. Man, his government received so much assistance to run elections - from production of ID cards to whatever. Now he says a scared CIVIC isn't providing. 3. I agree with Trinidad's PM Panday on the "solution" in St Vincent. So Street Protests will now determine the length of an elected government's term. 4. I don't care what invitation was issued or not. The "TV personalities" must not be allowed to tussle with law enforcers. Alas, the cause was OK but we'll be left there to grapple with GPL long after other "personalities" have departed to alternative "homes". 5. WI Cricket Board's Chris Dehring impresses me as the marketing man. Should Rosseau really go? Look, let the man get equipment for the region's grounds - to minimise after-rain operations. 6. After welcoming the Stabroek's "Talking Heads" column, I forgot last week to recognise the new Prime Time News - like the Palm Tree 'paper, "on watch for the nation", 7. March, April, May 2000: Three successive months with long holiday week-ends in my Guyana. Great for development? 8. As Prime Minister Arthur of Barbados spoke last Friday morning (May 5) at Le Meridien, the strong aroma of curry pervaded the hall. After all, this was Guyana and it was Indian Immigration Day! 9. Do you know anyone born on May 26, 1966? Anyone with that date of birth should contact me - FENTY- urgently! 'TIL NEXT WEEK!
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