Facing fallout that could cause tourism activity to plunge, The Bahamas over the weekend joined other countries forming the Caribbean Community in urging the United States to hold off on war with Iraq.
CARICOM leaders attending the 14th Intercessional Conference of Heads of Government meeting in Trinidad and Tobago said in a statement that they were firmly opposed to the use of force at a time when it is clear that diplomatic efforts have not been exhausted.
Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said yesterday that it was important for the Government of The Bahamas to make clear its position regarding whether it supports the United States as it prepares to launch a military strike against Iraq.
“I think first of all, our people are aware of what’s happening in the world and they want to know what the government’s position is,” Minister Mitchell said. “In addition, our international partners including the United States and Britain have called on us to join them in supporting an invasion of Iraq.
“None of us in the Caribbean have troops or ships and we normally as CARICOM countries don’t get involved in these matters. But if you are asked to do a particular thing, there is a formal answer that is required.”
The statement from CARICOM is that formal answer, Minister Mitchell said. They also pointed out that United Nations inspectors are reporting some progress and are formally requesting more time to complete their work in Iraq. But CARICOM leaders also urged Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein to comply with the U.N. resolution to disarm.
Citing pressing national issues, Prime Minister Perry Christie was absent from the two-day meeting.
Bahamian officials have been keeping a keen eye on the prospect of war, knowing that if the United States and its allies flex their military might, The Bahamas will be ultimately caught in the crossfire.
CARICOM leaders have noted they are not prepared to pay the price that would surely come with war.
Global recession provoked by rising oil prices, severe dislocation of vital tourism and offshore financial service sectors and failing investment, are all expected to be a part of the fallout.
CARICOM has 15 members – Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.
During the meeting, CARICOM leaders also set a deadline of 2005 for the implementation of a single market and economy.
The Bahama Journal
