Lead Editor-Politics
Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne says his country will be staying out of the impasse between Trinidad and Tobago and Caricom despite being drawn into the controversy by this country’s Foreign Affairs minister.
Meanwhile, Guyana President Dr Irfaan Ali has openly backed the reappointment of Dr Carla Barnett and defended the process behind it.
Speaking with Guardian Media yesterday, PM Browne took a more cautious approach, saying he does not want to add fuel to the fire.
Antigua and Barbuda has now been drawn into the growing controversy, after Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers claimed that both Antigua and Barbuda and the Bahamas were also barred from attending the retreat in Nevis.
Sobers argued that this was because their Heads of Government had already departed, and Caricom did not recognise the authority delegated to officials to act as heads of their respective delegations.
Guardian Media asked PM Browne if he had any issues with the reappointment of Dr Barnett; however, he would only say, “The Rasta Dreadman, Gassy Dread is staying above the fray. Ain’t pouring any fuel to inflame differences among my brethrens and sisterens in Caricom. Seen !!”
Attempts to get a comment from the Prime Minister of the Bahamas Philip Davis were unsuccessful.
But even as Trinidad and Tobago intensifies pressure on Caricom over the reappointment of Secretary General Dr Carla Barnett, Guyana’s President Dr Irfaan Ali has firmly defended the decision, insisting established procedures were followed and the outcome reflects a collective position of regional leaders.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event at the Guyana Defence Force headquarters yesterday, Ali made it clear he was directly involved in the discussions that led to Barnett securing a second term.
“Let me be fully transparent on this matter, I was involved in the discussions, as all other Heads, on the reappointment of the Secretary General,” Ali said. “We support the reappointment of the Secretary General, that’s the first thing, and I hope it brings clarity.”
Ali pushed back against claims of irregularity, maintaining that the procedure used was consistent with past practice.
“I was there when the Secretary General was appointed the first time, and we did not follow any process that is different from the first time,” he said.
“When you go to Caricom Heads of Government meeting, there is of course the general meeting, the plenary and then there was the caucus and this matter was discussed in caucus and views were exchanged and the decision was taken,” Ali explained.
He added that differing views among leaders are part of the democratic process within Caricom.
T&T’s Government has announced that it will be seeking a special meeting of Caricom to address the issue of Dr Barnett’s reappointment.
