PARTING SHOTS
For The Betterment of the Caribbean
Back to Hot Calaloo |
|
December 1999
The World Trade Organisation is no friend of the Caribbean. It is the organisation
which has laid the groundwork for the destruction of the banana industry in the Caribbean
of which Hot Calaloo has reported extensively. A vote of thanks to those brave protestors
who saw it as an end run by multinational corporations to maximize profits at the expense
of the sovereignty of even the mighty US. So you can imagine how more vulnerable
developing countries are.Just as Chiquita Banana, a multinational corporation got the WTO
to impose sanctions on Europe for its special banana trade regimen with its former
colonies. The WTO does not care that this special regimen:
- arose out of an attempt to address the years of colonial exploitation
- if removed will cause economic catastrophe for these countries.
This is just the tip of the iceberg for developing countries which risk trade sanctions
for themselves or their trading partner if they try to protect fledgling industries in
their own country.
Caribbean Voices on Pacifica Radio
Congrats to Pacifica Radio for airing a special program on the WTO on its program
"Democracy Now" (listen on the Web if still there at http://democracynow.org/).
Special guests on the program included eloquent Caribbean voices of protest such as :
- Jocelyn Dow, President of the international Women's Environment and
Development Organization (WEDO) .(http://www.wedo.org/).
She is the founding member and Executive Director of Red Thread, a women's collective in
Guyana.
- Mariama Williams, Economist on trade and gender issues in the Caribbean
with the organization "Dawn Caribbean" in Jamaica.
Notable Quotes
Some notable quotes from the program:
- `its not just that we don't get a piece of the pie but the WTO is taking away the
crumbs that we have" - Sridath Rampthal, former Secretary
General of the Commonwealth, former Foreign Minister of Guyana
- .."they (the WTO) have combed our hair in our absence - Thandiwe
Nkomo, Executive Coordinator of the Organization of Rural Associations for
Progress (ORAP) in Zimbabwe.
Back to Hot Calaloo
PRINTED NEWSLETTER SAYS GOODBYE WITH PARTING SHOTS
For the Betterment of the Caribbean
It's goodbye to the Hot Calaloo PRINTED newsletter. The first one was published April
1992. But, the Hot Calaloo's Caribbean activism lives on, but now on the Web. We leave you
with these parting shots and an invitation to STAY WITH US here on the Internet at
http://gonow.to/hotcalaloo.
Caribbean Unity
It is up to us, the overseas Caribbean persons, to strengthen and promote
Caribbean unity. It is us who have met other Caribbean people. We have shared experiences.
We have felt the common heritage. We have experienced the bonds. To most people in their
respective Caribbean countries they have never met someone from another Caribbean
territory. To them this unity is just an idea, but for us it is real, it is strong, and
fills us with pride. For example, come to Baltimore, Maryland. See all the Caribbean
organisations working together to produce the annual Carnival. It is a beautiful thing!
Yes, Caribbean unity is up to us!
Criticism
Criticism has a very important role to play in the development of the Caribbean.
There is no shortage of criticism here as everyone is a critic. However, most of the
criticism is not constructive but destructive bordering on derision and an obstruction to
meaningful progress and improvement. Unfortunately the many proponents of this type too
often are held in high esteem instead of being regarded as the obstacles to real discourse
that they are. Hot Calaloo has tried to be a constructive critic often proposing real
solutions.
Praise
Outside of sport heroes, we are slow to praise in the Caribbean. This needs to
change as good deeds and accomplishments need to be acknowledged and encouraged.
Solutions
From my observations, in meetings, articles, discussions, etc., many solutions
have been proposed to cure the ills of the Caribbean. Often these are not really solutions
but wish lists which are not grounded in the reality and the severity of the problems the
Caribbean faces. Even academia including eminent university scholars seem guilty of this.
In this respect solutions advocated often require money for which there is none nor is the
means of acquiring it spelled out. For example, "build more schools" is popular
but in a country in which some existing schools do not have even enough desks and chairs
to accommodate their students!
Back to top of this page
New Ideas
The Caribbean has to be fertile ground for new ideas. It needs more Phillip
Paulwells, Jamaica's Minister of Technology, a man on the cutting edge of change. Among
his most recent efforts is the new postal centers and his commitment to high tech
computerization for Jamaica. I am sure there are already other active and potential
Phillip Paulwells', ready and receptive to use new ideas to blaze our future. However, the
sad fact is that too often we are bound in tradition, locked into old ideas, old
conditioned one-track minds, which do not give the Phillip Paulwells a chance. Thank
goodness PM Patterson gave this Phillip Paulwell that chance. And a new idea is a chance,
with self-serving politicians often exploiting the natural suspicion and skepticism of the
public to torpedo it with derisive criticism and jeers. New ideas are not foolproof, and
might actually fail, but such failure should not intimidate nor poison the environment for
other new ideas.
Hot Calaloo's New Ideas
Hot Calaloo has submitted many new ideas, some directly to officials in the
Caribbean. My expectations were not optimistic. Why? I am sure these officials get
bombarded with ideas all the time. They probably do not have the time to properly process
these ideas. To process these ideas, they must be carefully and systematically evaluated,
promoted, and implemented. I suspect these officials do not have the time nor the
resources to spend to process even through the evaluation stage, much less the other two.
A New Ideas Failure
One of Hot Calaloo's ideas did get a positive response in Jamaica. The official
promised to adopt it. It was simple enough. Place in the exit lounges of airport
terminals, charity collection boxes so that departing tourists could easily donate their
unconverted Jamaican currency. I felt pleased. Subsequent years on visits to Jamaica, I
saw no such collection boxes. I was about to give up, but finally after several years, I
saw a charity collection box in the exit lounge of the Sangster International Airport in
Montego Bay, but barely. Barely, because it was difficult to discern. It was as if it were
placed to be as inconspicious as possible. I had to deduce it was a charity collection box
for it did not display some bright attractive sign inviting contributions for some
worthwhile charity. Instead there was this grubby brown wooden box with an almost obscure
label which to the best of my recollection said only "Rotary Club" or something
like that. I was actually disappointed to see it like that. I had no Jamaican currency,
but I enthusiastically forked out a "yankee dallah" bill. The slot in the
collection box was too small! I folded and squeezed and prodded until finally I got the
box to accept it. Ironically, weeks ago. I was in Ireland. At the airport there was a big
conspicuous transparent plastic sphere for charitable contributions. It was like a magnet
drawing my remaining unconverted Irish currency to it! Yes, new ideas are not enough. They
require proper systematic evaluation, promotion and implementation, and with excellence
all the way.
Back to top of this page
Government by MacDonalds
In recent articles, Hot Calaloo might have seemed critical of the MacDonalds fast
food chain. But not really. MacDonalds is just a highly visible symbol of multinational
corporations and their effect and relationship with the Caribbean. In fact, there is a lot
to admire MacDonalds for which Caribbean Governments and institutions would do well to
follow.
- MacDonalds makes money both for itself and its franchisee partners.
- It is a big buyer of agricultural products.
- It provides good uniform quality products and services to all, from the highest upscale
neighborhood to the most blighted ghetto.
First, they are a franchise organisation and the Hot Calaloo's proposed Partnership
With People (PWP) plan for the economic prosperity in the Caribbean, is based largely on
Government by MacDonalds as a model. Government would become a franchisor in order to
establishing businesses with its citizens. Like MacDonalds, Government would provide:
- the expertise, hiring it if they have to
- the strict rules of operation
- the training of staff
- the insistence on high quality customer service
A second big factor is MacDonalds is democratic. All people, rich or poor get the same
good courteous service. Not true of Caribbean government and institutions. In the last
issue of Hot Calaloo, I pointed out the horrible often non-existent service the poor
receive from the police. The Jamaica I remember, privelage rules.
PWP is feasible. Franchises have a 90% success rate in the US. Expertise abounds.
Franchisees are spreading internationally like a cancer because of their success. In
Brazil, MacDonalds is the 2nd largest employer. It is not rocket science.
Prosperity no longer requires a country to have an iron and coal industry. PWP can bring
prosperity in 5-10 years and is the best idea that Hot Calaloo has proposed. We have
followed the IMF plan imposed on us and all throughout the region, poverty has gotten
worse (see article "Poverty Getting Worse" in this very edition). How
long shall we stick with that loser? It's time to at least consider PWP.
Back to top of this page
PWP Draws Interest and Acclaim
More details on PWP is available on the Hot Calaloo
website at http://gonow.to/hotcalaloo. Let's hope Caribbean officials visit it.
They too might respond as positive as Dr. Mark Gill, a recent visitor to the website. Here
is Dr. Gill's e-mail:
it was wonderful finding this website!!! i had not been aware of it and may i say i
have not seen a better site re the islands.....
and, i would like to correspond with the editor Michael in that i am very interested in
his alternative plan for prosperity....i am very aware of the ills of the IMF.....
i would like to publish his views in UN NEWS, the publication of the International
Association of Educators for World Peace, the NGO i am a part of, as noted in my
signature.....this publication goes to 107 countries, and most of these are countries that
are considered as "developing nations".....
Mark Gill
Dr. Mark Eric Gill, Envoy to Caribbean
International Association of Educators for World Peace
NGO, United Nations (ECOSOC), UNDPI, UNICEF, UNCED & UNESCO
Back to top of this page
The Real Solution
The real problem which affects the Caribbean and the rest of the world is that
the most prominent respected leaders of business, government and industry are sick
addicted people. They are ruthless promoters of this addiction, an addiction which is fast
leading the world to its doom. It is an addiction worse than alcohol. It is worse than
cocaine or heroin. It too produces fake happiness. But, it is revered and admired. What is
it? It is materialism, greed. Bill Gates with his billions is a really sick puppy. Buy
more and bigger is our mantra. Bigger and bigger houses, heating large volumes of unused
space in winter and cooling it in summer. Why do we need gas guzzling 4-wheel drive SUV's,
Sport Utility Vehicle (should be Stupid Ugly Vehicle.) Because, the pushers use
advertising to foist off these phony artificial needs on us. And, so, we are gobbling up
the earth resources at an increased rate beyond the earth's ability to sustain. It is
immoral. So many multimillion dollar athletes, rock stars, actors, politicians, you name
it, have screwed-up lives. It brought them highs but not happiness. The more you have is
the more you want. It is never enough...classic symptoms of addiction!
This addiction to materialism feeds poverty and crime. It undermines and displaces
human and community values. The real solution to the problems in the Caribbean is to break
that addiction. This is a formidable task when we consider in comparison that despite the
war , the publicity, and the billions of dollars to suppress illegal drug use, it still
increases. Addiction to materialism, on the other hand, receives much more resources than
that, but not to break the habit, but to promote it. No wonder we are all hopelessly
addicted. If only we in the Caribbean could lead the world, by breaking that vicious
addiction and restoring human values to the priority it deserves.
Back to Hot Calaloo
The Caribbean is deeply involved in the US war on drugs (remember
"shiprider"). Now, the verdict is out and it is not surprising. Failure! A group
of 13 prominent Americans and Latin Americans have declared the the drug war an utter
failure in a joint letter to international delegates at an important drug conference. The
13 signers of the letter included jurists, doctors, artists, religious leaders and three
former Latin American presidents _ Belisario Betancur of Colombia, (pro-American)Violeta
Chamorro of Nicaragua and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Oscar Arias of Costa Rica.
``The escalation of a militarized drug war in Colombia and elsewhere in the
Americas threatens regional stability, undermines efforts towards demilitarization and
democracy and has put U.S. arms and money into the hands of corrupt officials and military
... units involved in human rights abuses,''....it is time to admit that after two
decades, the drug war both in Latin America and in the United States _ is a failure,''
the letter said.
Despite spending tens of billions of dollars for raids on drug labs, crop eradication
and arrests and imprisonment at home, ``today in the U.S., illicit drugs are cheaper,
more potent and more easily available than two decades ago,'' it said.
The signers urged instead consideration of policies that will focus more on reducing
consumption, expanding drug treatment programs, and promoting economic development to
decrease the reliance on drug income among people who produce it.
Back to Hot Calaloo
Poverty is considered to be the worst problem in the Caribbean and all of Latin
America. Alas the news is bad. This poverty has gotten worse in the last 20 years. This
was the conclusion of a report produced by a leading policy group, the Inter-American
Dialogue, whose members include former US President Jimmy Carter, and five former Latin
American presidents.
"At the same time, inequalities of income and wealth are worsening everywhere in a
region already beset by huge disparities," the report said. In other words " the
rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer." Guyana earned the
distinction of being one of only 4 countries of the 33 to achieve a growth rate of 5% or
more for the full decade. The other 3 countries were Argentina, Chile and Peru.
Unfortunately, Jamaica like Venezuela, Colombia, and Equador, ended up on the bottom and
are predicted to have a lower per capita income in 2000 than they had 10 years ago. So
much for foreign imposed solutions!
Back to Hot Calaloo
According to the Govt. Of Jamaica, things are looking rocky for Air Jamaica. Finance
Minister Omar Davies recently revealed that since it was privatized 5 years ago, it has
yet to make a profit. Furthermore, the government has committed US$250 million to the
airline and has guaranteed another US$135 million. He contended that the Government as
minority shareholder could not continue to carry 100% of the burden.
Air Jamaica CEO Butch Stewart was unhappy at those comments. He said the minister
obviously did not understand high finance, was hostile to private industry, should
basically keep quiet, and give more government money, claiming basically everything is
rosy. Meanwhile, profit or no, Air Jamaica continues to expand. This time a new gateway is
scheduled for Houston and Phoenix.
Mr. Stewart may be very knowledgeable or has knowledgeable help, but so also did the now
defunct Pan Am and Eastern Airlines.
Back to Hot Calaloo
JAAA Clears Ottey
An eight member Jamaica Amateur Athletic Assoc. (JAAA) panel cleared veteran
sprinter, Merlene Ottey, of drug charges after a hearing in Jamaica. Ottey has always
maintained her innocence. It is now up to the International Amateur Athletics Federation
(IAAF) to accept or reject this ruling.
Back to Hot Calaloo
Jamaica has been elected to the United Nations Security Council by an overwhelming
majority for the period January 2000 -2001. Jamaica will represent Latin America and the
Caribbean region, which had endorsed its candidacy.
The Council has a total of 15 members, 5 permanent and 10 non-permanent who are elected
for 2 year terms. The permanent members are the USA, France, the United Kingdom, the
Russian Federation, and China. The four other countries elected with Jamaica are
Bangladesh, Mali, Tunisia, and the Ukraine. They join the other 5 non-permanent members,
Argentina, Canada, Malaysia, Namibia and the Netherlands.
Jamaica first served on the Council in 1979-80.
Back to Hot Calaloo
In the little village of Heartease in the parish of Manchester, Jamaica, the 60
year-old matriarch of the Williams family had died.Plans were made to bury her in the
family plot on the property and the routine application for permission was sent to the
Parish Council 2 days before the burial date.The sepulchre was built. Guests had come all
the way from abroad. But, on the day of the funeral, a big snag occurred. The Parish
Cuncil said no.
Development had come to little Heartease. Like many other areas, it had become more
residential, too residential to continue to allow home burials. It was a battle between
tradition, sentiment and development. Turns out even neighbors had been complaining to the
Parish Council about burials in their neighborhoods.
With a church full of grief-stricken guests, the home burial did go on despite Parish
Council opposition. Furthermore another home burial was scheduled to take place in the
community that coming weekend. But, this time, the family refused to even seek Parish
Council permission as they expect it will be denied.
Back to Hot Calaloo
First-term Republican Governor George Ryan of Illinois became the first U.S. governor
to visit Cuba since Fidel Castro's 1959 revolution. He attended mass there and brought
more than $1 million worth of humanitarian aid.
Cuban court tells U.S. to pay $181 bln
A Cuban court found the U.S. government liable Tuesday for deaths and damage to the
island nation during 40 years of "aggressive policies" and ordered the U.S. to
pay $181.1 billion in reparations. The ruling by Provincial Popular Tribunal of Havana,
appears to be a response to the ruling of a federal judge in Miami ordering Cuba to pay
$187 million to the families of three Americans killed in 1996 when Cuban military jets
shot down two small private planes off the island's coast.
Back to Hot Calaloo
According to current statistics, the crime rate in Jamaica is down. Although it is
still very high, there has been an 11% drop in the murder rate and a overall decline of
19% in major crimes.
Back to Hot Calaloo
One of the greatest scourges on governments all over the world and most devastating in
developing countries is corruption. It is an important milestone then that Jamaica has
recently passed an anti-corruption law in the House of Representatives. There were 18
amendments to the original bill, which was steered through the House by Minister of
National Security and Justice, K.D. Knight. This act repeals the previous anti corruption
act which was passed in 1931! Already this act is creating a stir as all public servants
can be held liable for acts of corruption and public servants with salaries above a
certain level must submit a declaration of their assets to a comission to be established
under the act.
Back to Hot Calaloo
A newly formed citizen's group, Citizens for Civil Society (CCS), led protest
demonstrations in Kingston Jamaica recently. In the first march, they demanded the
resignation of Finance Minister, Omar Davies, and Minister of National Security and
Justice, K.D. Knight. In the 2nd march, they called for the resignation of the Leader of
the Opposition, Edward Seaga. Police had to protect the marchers from irate JLP supporters
of Seaga.
It was especially puzzling that CCS would call for the resignation of the Minister of
National Security and Justice, K.D. Knight, when we consider that the crime rate is down
and he has just piloted the historic and vital anti-corruption Act through the House. I
must commend the bravery of the group for their actions in such a politically dangerously
polarized society. However, protest and criticism is always the methodology. Lets see
instead support for innovations, like that which Commissioner of the Prison, Mr Prescod,
tries to introduce. We know these innovations are on target and essential, but they are
unpopular, and civic leaders and groups are comfortably silent, leaving him out on a
lonely limb.
Back to Hot Calaloo
Who are the top blacks of the 20th century? The well-known US black magazine, Ebony,
has made its selections in a special 2000 Millenium issue. Among such great leaders as
Rev. Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, and Madame C. J. Walker are Jamaica's National
Heroes, Sir William Alexander Bustamante and Marcus Garvey, and Trinidad and Tobago's
former Prime minister, Dr. Eric Williams.
The list included politicians, great national leaders, publishers, entertainers, heroes
and entrepeneurs. In my opinion, there was a notable omission, someone who has touched
almost the entire world and is bigger now even almost 20 years after his death...Bob
Marley.
Back to Hot Calaloo
Lenny was a weird hurricane. What was it doing so late in the season? November
hurricane! It's supposed to be:
"October, all over
November, remember".
What sort of backward hurricane was that? It travelled to the east. Every other
hurricane in memory travelled to the west. So, it sneaked in late and through the
backdoor!
But, it was a dangerous and powerful hurricane. It battered the islands of St
Vincent,Grenada, St. Lucia, Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, theUS Virgin Islands including
St. Thomas ans St Croix, and the British Virgin Islands. In some place winds were as high
as 130 mph. Storm surges inundated houses, washed away roads and created flooding. Winds
took their toll particularly blowing away roofs. Utilities were disrupted and many were
left homeless. Considering the power and wide range of the hurricane, loss of life was
surprisingly low.
Back to Hot Calaloo
The little community of Newport in the parish of Manchester, Jamaica, is also right in
the centre of bauxite mining operations. The residents have had to put up with noise and
those awful thick clouds of red dust of these operations. But, finally they get a reward
for their patience and long suffering. After long negotiations between the mining company,
Alumina Partners of Jamaica (ALPART) and the Newport Town Association, ALPART has agreed
to relocate the dilapidated town centre to 9 acres of neighboring lands owned by ALPART.
At first, this relocation was to take place in 6 years time at the end of the mining
operations there. But, more serious negotiations have shrunk that date to about 1 year.
Back to Hot Calaloo
Another Jamaican bank has bit the dust. This time it is the Intercontinental Merchant
Bank. The Government corporation, FINSAC, had to step in to protect depositors because of
the bank's financial difficulties.
Back to Hot Calaloo
Jamaica's list of eligible voters has been placed on the Internet by the Gleaner
newspaper. However, Hot Calaloo failed to find it on the Gleaner web page.
Back to Hot Calaloo
This time sewerage and water workers went on strike. The strike disrupted the capital
Georgetown's water supply forcing management and army personnel to man the system. The
strike lasted 8 days. The workers demanded a 31.06% pay raise. The Government offered 12%.
The union agreed to end the strike and to seek a solution to the dispute in the near
future. At least there will be water for Christmas.
Back to Hot Calaloo
|
