The leaders of 15 Caribbean countries, with many of their economies dependent on the vulnerable global tourist trade, have called on the United States to exercise restraint in Iraq.
Heads of government of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), at the end of a two-day meeting in Trinidad and Tobago, said in a statement released late on Saturday that United Nations weapons inspectors should be given more time to complete their work.
“Heads were firmly opposed to the use of armed force at a time when it is clear that diplomatic efforts have not yet been exhausted, and…Inspectors are reporting some progress and formally requesting more time to complete their work,” the Caricom statement said.
“The Heads urged the Government of the United States and its military allies on this issue to exercise restraint in their approach to this complex international crisis.”
The Caribbean leaders also appealed to Iraq President Saddam Hussein to comply fully with U.N. Security Council Resolution 1441.
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.
Most are heavily dependent on tourism, an industry that suffers a steep downturn in wartime because travelers choose to stay closer to home.
The Caricom leaders said most Caribbean states are not prepared to cope with the impact of a global recession provoked by rising oil prices, severe dislocation of their vital tourism and offshore financial service sectors and falling investment.
The Caricom leaders also set themselves a 2005 deadline for the implementation of a single market and economy, which would realize a pledge made by the member states in 1989.
Officials from Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Jamaica all indicated they would be ready to remove barriers to trade, labor, travel and the flow of merchandise before the 2005 deadline.
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Patrick Manning also issued a call to Caricom members to consider a political union. Jamaica immediately rejected the idea, saying it would remain a sovereign state.
Small Caribbean nations have found it difficult to compete in a globalized economy, particularly as traditional foreign exchange earners such as bananas and sugar come under increasing pressure from larger producers.
CNN.com
