The Treaty establishing the OECS Economic Union is now in force. But, it is early days; it remains to be seen at the level of action, at the level of implementation, whether, even for them, the earlier agony (of which Sir Arthur Lewis wrote so ruefully in 1962) lingers still. Meanwhile, however, congratulations are in order, and I extend them heartily. In moving closer to freedom of movement among the OECS countries they have set a vital example to the rest of Caricom. The OECS West Indies is being West Indian. May it translate into an ethos among them, and in time infuse the wider community with an end "to foreignness" among all West Indians. The OECS islands have taken the first steps in a long journey whose ultimate goal must be a larger union. Collectively, we must recover our resolve to survive as one West Indies; as one people, one region, one whole region. Imbued by such resolve there is a future that can be better than the best we have ever had. Neither complacency nor resignation nor empty words will suffice. What we need is rescue; by ourselves, from ourselves and for ourselves. We cannot be careless with our oneness, which is our lifeline. As it was in St Georges in 1915, so it is now: The West Indies must be West Indian!