FORMAT CHANGE FOR CARICOM HEADS OF GOVERNMENT MEETING NEXT MONTH
Rickey Singh
Observer Caribbean Correspondent

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados June 20, 2009 -- A significant change from the traditional format on the first day of a regular annual Heads of Government Conference of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) is expected for the 30th such event in Georgetown, Guyana, on July 2.

According to Caricom Secretariat sources, current controversies surrounding intra-regional free movement of Community nationals and claimed hostile treatment against "illegals" in some jurisdictions have emerged as "a pressing matter" for urgent attention.

Dissent and tension have been fuelled even prior to the enforcement on June 2 of a six-month amnesty by the Barbados government for "illegal" Caricom nationals to regularise their status or face deportation.

In the face of mounting criticisms over alleged hostile and degrading treatment of community nationals being rounded up, day and night, for deportation by Barbadian immigration personnel, Prime Minister David Thompson has gone public with his resentment against some Caricom governments "rushing" to comment on "our domestic immigration policy".

Against this backdrop, arrangements are being considered to start the four-day summit with a special caucus of leaders on the morning of July 2 at which the problems and countries involved could be "candidly discussed" with a view to achieving a consensus, if possible, prior to the ceremonial opening in the afternoon period at the Guyana National Conference Centre, in the vicinity of the Caricom Secretariat headquarters.

The intention is to defuse lingering tension, minimise conflicts and set the tone for sober public statements and matured, conciliatory decisions at plenary and other caucus sessions to follow before the summit winds up on July 5 at the Guyana National Conference Centre.

Normally, an official caucus on agenda issues takes place after the ceremonial opening.

At least six Heads of Government are likely to actively participate in the caucus on "immigration issues", consistent with provisions in the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, signed on July 5, 2001.

This Caricom Act laid the basis for the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) and has been incorporated in the domestic law of ALL the participating Community partner states.

The leaders expected to state their positions at the proposed caucus include:

. The Bahamas' Hubert Ingraham, who has criticised his own country's immigration service for discriminatory and hostile responses to Jamaican nationals in particular;

. Trinidad and Tobago's Patrick Manning who, in speaking of his "awareness" of problems involving claimed 'illegal' immigrants, stressed that routine "deportation was not a preferred policy" of his administration;

. Ralph Gonsalves of St Vincent and the Grenadines, who denounced specific cases of deportations from Barbados and warned against hostile acts that could "rend asunder" the regional integration movement;

. Barbados' David Thompson, who could either go on the offensive or defensive over his six-month amnesty policy on illegal Caricom nationals, and the ensuring reports in the region's media of continuing hostile and degrading treatment of Community nationals for deportation;

. Jamaica's Bruce Golding, who has been articulating his strong criticisms over denials of both free trade under the Caricom Single Market and free movement of nationals; and
. Guyana's President, Bharrat Jagdeo, host and chairman of the summit.

While denouncing reported "despicable acts" against Guyanese in Barbados, Jagdeo said he was looking forward "to matured responses" to resolve the prevailing problems.

Given the expressed concerns by government leaders, the proposed caucus session will be expected to take note also of "disputes settlement" mechanisms identified in the Revised Treaty, but too often ignored.

The four-day 30th Heads of Government Conference will be taking place amid fears that failure to reach a consensus on the immigration problems and free intra-regional trade, could further diminish hopes for realisation of the CSME - the flagship project of Caricom.