Thomas told the meeting that the fact that the region is grappling with crises it did not create-including rising food prices-is no excuse for the concept of regional integration to be placed on the back burner.
Other leaders said that the region should not allow itself to be discouraged by the often expressed views that Caricom was in crisis. They urged instead, that the region be viewed as being at the crossroads of opportunity. A leaders retreat to discuss the way forward for Caricom, proposed by the Guyanese president Bharrat Jagdeo, will be held in St Kitts in July. Ahead of the talks the Guyanese leader Bharrat Jagdeo said the regional enterprise is now in the doldrums, even as the Barbadian Prime Minister, Freundel Stuart said he believes there is still a level of commitment.
Benefit deficit
In rather straightforward and unequivocal language, the Jamaica Prime Minister Bruce Golding warned that the time had come for leaders to address the concerns of the people of the region that Caricom was not working. Recalling one report which referred to an "implementation deficit" by Caricom, Golding said "the people of the Caribbean, they feel a sense of benefit deficit." Golding warned his colleague leaders "that is a concern that will not be dispelled by sentimental pleading and history-based rationalisation." bbc.com