Allow me to make it clear at the outset, that I shall never support or condone any act in any quarter which is in contravention of the constitutionally enacted laws of this country or, indeed, of any country.Now that the fallout consequent on the recent denial of entry to a group of Jamaicans to T&T seems to have subsided (at least temporarily), I feel incumbent to comment thereon. However, I must first declare my partiality being an unadulterated "integrationist" as well as one with Jamaican connections which I treasure.
My considered view is that our authorities did not handle this matter with the tact, diplomacy and perhaps even the understanding which the situation demanded. My views are dictated by the following considerations:
Firstly, and on a personal note, I am influenced by the fact that the eldest of my five sisters was privileged to have taken her first degree at the UWI. Mona campus and, having returned to this country with glowing tribute at the hospitality meted out to her during her three-year stay in Jamaica, it was not surprising, therefore, that when her turn arrived, the last of the girls chose to attend the Mona campus as well.
As fate would have it, it was at Mona that she met and got married to a goodly gentleman whose godmother was none other than the late Lady Bustamante, a family friend. Many of my relatives and acquaintances, like so many other T&T nationals, have also attended the Mona campus and have met with similar experiences.
Secondly, traditionally, Jamaicans have invariably been at the forefront in defence of the rights of immigrant and other minority groups, especially the rights of Caribbean peoples in countries such as the UK, the USA and Canada, for example. This no doubt has had its origin in the ethos of the Jamaican freedom fighter, Marcus Garvey.
Thirdly, the commitment of Jamaica to the regional economic movement cannot be called into question. Indeed this writer is aware that the JLP Government through the then Minister of Finance, Edward Seaga, was the first among the proposed Caribbean member territories to declare its unstinting support for the Caribbean Development Bank.
Fourthly, and most unfortunately for Jamaica, T&T must not be faulted for experiencing a "hefty" positive balance in its terms of trade with Jamaica. Indeed, if anything, Jamaican manufacturers and importers must be castigated for failing to so fashion their activities as to enable them to penetrate the undoubted opportunities for extra-Caricom import substitution into this highly import-oriented country.
They would be well advised "to get up and get" and not to use the unfavourable trade balance as a panacea for justifying an assumed moral obligation on the part of T&T to accept the uncontrolled entry of Jamaicans into T&T, at this time.
Errol OC Cupid
Trincity, Tacarigua