COMMENTARY

CARICOM-Cuba Day: 8th December
A time for celebration

by Sir Ronald Sanders

Tuesday, December 7, 2004

Wednesday, 8th December is ‘CARICOM-Cuba Day’, so designated by the Heads of Government of Cuba and CARICOM countries two years ago in Havana. The occasion of the meeting was the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and four independent CARICOM countries in 1972.

Fidel Castro had invited CARICOM Heads to celebrate the anniversary and to consider ways in which the relationship between CARICOM and Cuba could be deepened and strengthened.

In the Havana Declaration, issued at the end of the meeting, the Heads decided that one of the ways to mark their strong relationship was to celebrate ‘CARICOM-Cuba Day’ annually on 8th December, the anniversary of the historic establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the four independent states: Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.

Undoubtedly, the benefits of the relationship have been considerable for CARICOM in tangible terms particularly in education and health, and Cuba has gained from the robust support of CARICOM countries in the international community.

Indeed, in Havana two years ago, CARICOM Heads acknowledged “the contribution of the Republic of Cuba to the social and economic development of the Member States of the Caribbean Community, in particular, through the provision of scholarships and of technical expertise; the deployment of medical personnel; the assistance provided by Cuba in periods of natural disasters; and the opening of its economy to facilitate greater trade and economic linkages with the Region and beyond.”

At the same time, Cuba recognised that “the establishment of diplomatic relations by Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago with the Republic of Cuba on 8 December 1972 attested to the political independence, unity of purpose and courage of the leaders of those States, represented a historic breakthrough which encouraged the reinsertion of the Republic of Cuba into hemispheric diplomatic relations and constituted an affirmation that Cuba is an integral part of the Caribbean family.”

That decision in 1972 by the four CARICOM countries was by no means easy. In fact, they had put themselves at risk of a backlash from the United States which was openly hostile to Cuba.

Consider the scene: Of all the countries in the Hemisphere, only Canada, Mexico and Chile had diplomatic relations with Cuba; Richard Nixon had just won a second term as President of the United States; America was still deeply involved in the Vietnam War; developing countries were arguing for a New International Economic Order; the US was concerned about the Soviet Union spreading its influence into the Caribbean, and the US was urging that Cuba be treated as a pariah.

Sir Shridath ‘Sonny’ Ramphal was Guyana’s foreign Minister at the time. It was he who had the task of co-ordinating the joint position to establish diplomatic relations with Cuba of Barbados’ Errol Barrow, Guyana’s Forbes Burnham, Jamaica’s Michael Manley and Trinidad and Tobago’s Eric Williams.

Ramphal later reflected on this historic decision by the four CARICOM countries by saying: “A candle of courage and principle had been lit. It illumined the way for the rest of Latin America. It was, of course, an act of solidarity with Cuba -- in very difficult times; but it was also an act of solidarity among CARICOM countries. It was good for Cuba; but it was good for us too… Situations like ‘Cuba’ allow the generations that share them to stand up and be counted.”

What these four CARICOM countries had effectively done was to declare an independent position on Cuba and stand-up for it against the odds. They stated boldly that they recognised Cuba as a Caribbean country and would treat with it, regardless of the attitude of those who felt otherwise.

Fidel Castro has never forgotten this act of CARICOM courage which opened the way for other Caribbean and Latin America countries to follow. Castro openly said so in December 2002 when he welcomed CARICOM Heads of Government to Havana. Today, Cuba has diplomatic relations with more than 130 countries.

By the same token, over the years Cuba has done much to aid CARICOM development. Thousands of CARICOM young people have benefited from scholarships and have returned to their homes to help advance national development; in health, Cuba’s provision of doctors and specialist nurses to the health systems of CARICOM countries have been invaluable, and in agriculture, Cuban specialists have given important technical assistance agriculture.

At the governmental level, Cuba has been involved in the Caribbean regional Negotiating Machinery (CRNM) particularly in relation to negotiations in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on new rules in international trade. It has not only contributed financially to the CRNM, it has also provided important links to other groups within the WTO.

In addition, a CARICOM-Cuba Joint Commission has been active and it will hold its Seventh Meeting early next year.

That meeting will provide the opportunity to deepen the relationship between Cuba and CARICOM countries still further in a number of important areas including science and technology, tourism and sport.

In both sport and science and technology, Cuba is far ahead of CARICOM countries. It has shown itself willing and ready, despite its limited resources, to share its knowledge and expertise in these areas for the benefit of CARICOM.

Specifically, CARICOM and Cuba could usefully co-operate in training coaches in track and field, in sports management, and importantly, in sports medicine.

Tourism has always been an area of great potential for CARICOM co-operation with Cuba. It is now even more important as rules governing tourism and travel are being developed in the WTO. These rules will affect Caribbean tourism and co-ordinated Caribbean participation in the Committees of the WTO is vitally important. CARICOM countries with Cuba as an ally should be advancing their interests within these committees.

But, apart from the WTO, myriad opportunities exist for CARICOM countries to work with Cuba in joint promotions and marketing campaigns and in developing strategic alliances with tour operators. There already exists some element of two-destination holidays between Cuba and Jamaica, offering the two-culture experience. This can be broadened to include other destinations within CARICOM.

Then, in December 2005, a year from now, the Heads of Government of Cuba and CARICOM are scheduled to meet again, this time in a CARICOM country.

Arrangements on an agenda should start now to make this meeting meaningful. There are a range of issues that could be usefully explored within the region, these include: disaster preparedness and responses, especially in the wake of the widespread havoc wreaked by Hurricanes this year; treatment and prevention of HIV/Aids; poverty alleviation measures within the region; transportation to facilitate greater trade within the region; and strategies for international negotiations in the World Trade Organisation and elsewhere.

There should also be a discussion of human, social and political and economic rights. Cuba, of course, has been under siege for over 40 years including the active encouragement by external forces of dissent and revolution within Cuba. And, while CARICOM countries have understood the harassment that Cuba has faced, nonetheless the peoples of all these countries are entitled to enshrined freedoms, protected by law and upheld by the institutions of government.

Fidel Castro and CARICOM Heads of Government acknowledged the importance of these rights to all their countries in Havana in 2002. They could usefully discuss it again when they meet in 2005.

In the meantime, ‘CARICOM-Cuba Day’ should be celebrated on December 8th as a symbol of the strong and beneficial relations which exist between CARICOM countries and Cuba. The relationship has been good for both sides, and there is every reason why it should continue to be so.

Sir Ronald Sanders is a former Ambassador for Antigua and Barbuda. He attended the CARICOM-Cuba Summit meeting in December 2002

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