Reflections on the EPA
April 13, 2008
by Carlos James
What seems to be a growing regional issue among academics, diplomats and heads of government is the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between CARIFORUM (CARICOM plus the Dominican Republic), and the European Union.
This agreement is expected to bring an end to preferential treatment in trade and services in favour of reciprocity between European Union member states and countries within CARIFORUM.
Not surprisingly though is the amount of praise given to the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (CRNM) on this supposedly beneficial agreement that was successfully negotiated with the EU. If what they are saying is correct, then the EPA is the CRNM’s best kept secret.
In contrast, the CRNM and CARICOM heads continue to receive serious tongue lashing from critics, calling for an independent review and public participation in the agreement.
Commentators have cautioned that once bilateral agreements with the EU are completed it would be legally binding with all the consequences involved for reciprocity in this region’s new partnership with Europe.
In fact, even within CARICOM it is not clear as to the agreed position between member countries on the negotiated agreement.
Guyanese president Bharrat Jagdeo has publicly claimed that the EU had subjected the Caribbean to “bullying tactics” in order to satisfy its own agenda for a new economic partnership – interestingly the EU describes such integration as “forceful means to foster integration into the world economy.”
This in itself, putting the microscope on the crack, shows that some reservations about the EPA exist even within the highest level of decision making in CARICOM.
According to noted Caribbean Journalist, Ricky Singh, Jamaica’s Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who has assumed the chairmanship of CARICOM’s prime ministerial sub-committee on external negotiations, has sharply rebuked critics of the EPA, claiming that they suffer from “mendicancy” and needed to be freed from the “psychological shackles of slavery…”
If my fellow colleague (Singh) is right, we are certainly heading for a division on the EPA in the Caribbean Community. Golding’s comment seems impudently unsuitable as his position on other issues shows signs of this problem he makes reference to. (re – http://blogsvg.wordpress.com/2008/03/14/does-golding-have-it-wrong/ )
We must challenge, and at the same time demand fair representation from regional leaders on issues of importance.
Certainly, we are seeing signs of this from equally, if not more qualified, professional observers on the issue in the region.
It is no secret that a number of reputable Caribbean academics, including Dr. Norman Girvan, have been at the forefront calling for more public participation and an independent review of the agreement.
In fact, Dr. Garvin, a former Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States, now Professorial Research Fellow at the UWI Graduate Institute of International Relations at the University of the West Indies in St. Augustine and Ambassador Havelock Brewster, former Executive Director for the Caribbean at the Inter-American Development Bank, were the chief signatories to a document sent to the CARICOM Secretariat in January expressing concern over the agreement.
I can recall joining that debate protesting the haste with which policy decisions are made with little contribution from civic society. My position at the time, and still remains the same, cautioned that “no matter how adverse influences affect our ability to negotiate on even ground it is nevertheless paramount that we recognise all sectors, including NGOs, in major decision-making processes.”
My contribution made note that policies should at least try to be harmonious with the position of civic society.
It is on this ground I empathised with the other concerned Caribbean citizens on the signing of the economic partnership agreement.
Surely, at some point we will have to take such an approach and venture into reciprocity in order to position ourselves favourably in world trade – taking into account the Doha Development Agenda – but at what expense should this be done without the inclusion of the people these agreements are likely to have the largest impact on.
Traditionally our exports have been largely vested in agricultural produce, and it would be interesting to take a survey through out the farming communities in our respective islands to see how many of our farmers and farmers association are aware of the actual position of CARIFORUM in respect to the EPA, let alone an understanding of what the EPA is. Mind you, our countries are blessed with very intelligent people but the point here is whether or not information on the EPA was properly packaged and presented to them.
We have failed miserably by not considering the role of civic society and the significance of an independent review by regional stakeholders where the EPA is concerned. This to me is a flaw within the agreement itself.
Fingers are not just being pointed in the faces of our CARICOM heads and the CRNM, but also regional journalists. The media have failed to get a grasp of the issue as well.
Obviously, this is yet another learning experience for us. It is now for the CRNM and CARICOM to make room for recommendations and more transparent methods of doing things in the future. Caribbean nationals should not be left in the dark but allowed a chance to participate in the decision making process.
* Carlos James is a Vincentian Journalist with keen interest in regional and international affairs. [ cjames.svg@googlemail.com ]
* I have attached below a number of comments from professionals from all quarters expressing support to Professor Norman Girvan and the Concerned Caribbean Citizens calling for full public disclosure of the EPA, http://www.normangirvan.info/:
Hon. Dr. Julian R. Hunte, Said:
As a former Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Saint Lucia in the Kenny Anthony Administration I wish to join the Group of Concerned Caribbean Citizens calling for full and public disclosure of the EPA recently negotiated with Europe. Records will show my strong and very often heated arguments at all levels particularly against “reciprocity” which I firmly believe will result in serious challenges for the Region particularly the OECS which we are not equipped to meet now nor in the forseeable future as far as I am concerned.
Khafra Kambon, Chair, Emancipation Support Committee of Trinidad & Tobago, Said:
I feel abused as a Caribbean citizen by the governments of the region stealthily concluding potentially disastrous Economic Partnership Agreements with Europe, without even providing adequate information to the people of the region, far more engaging us in a serious dialogue so that we could understand the long term implications of the new economic arrangements …
This is a much needed public debate. I myself am attempting to organize such a panel discussion in St. Lucia, where farmers are hard-hit. We need to have a voice on this issue.
Irving Reid, Executive Director, The Sir George Charles Foundation, St. Lucia, Said:
We of the Foundation , inheritors of the legacy of George Charles ‘ spirited defense of simple, ordinary workers , call for a thorough assessment of the intellectual capabilities of our national and regional political leadership to negotiate far-reaching , long term agreements that deeply impact the lives of Caribbean citizens and the way they allow themselves to be bullied. Ordinary Caribbean folk do not have the faintest idea about the shift in the name of the game – from preferential trade to the anti-small economy principle of reciprocity. The colonial trap still remains sprung.
Dr. Amar Wahab, Assistant Professor, York University, Said:
I fully support this call for public review in the interest of participatory justice and a Caribbean-based redefinition of the EPA.
Vernon Khelawan – Journalist – Trinidad, Said:
Typical of our cowardly Caribbean leadership. Always afraid to confront the bigger powers. So easy to give in rather than plan counter measures.
