SOURCE CMC- Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the Organization of American States (OAS), Sir Ronald Sanders is urging the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary General, Dr. Carla Barnett to consider tendering her resignation amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding her reappointment to the post.
“If I were the Secretary General of CARICOM and I’m being quite serious here and this had occurred I would have resigned and I would have resigned because I would have said I must not stand in the way of Caribbean integration and the movement forward,” Sir Ronald Sanders said on the state-owned ABS Television.
Late last month, in a brief statement, the CARICOM chairman and St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister, Dr Terrance Drew, said that Barnett had attained the “required majority” from among regional leaders regarding her re-appointment at last month’s CARICOM summit held in Basseterre.
But Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who was not present when the vote was taken to reappoint Barnett, who became the eighth CARICOM Secretary General on August 15, 2021, has publicly challenged the reappointment process of the Belizean economist.
She has dismissed a statement issued by Prime Minister Drew in which reiterated that Trinidad and Tobago was not “uninvited” to the retreat where the decision was taken.
Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar has called for the minutes of the retreat meeting, questioning “where’s GS Barnett’s performance appraisal? Where’s the documentation of the 2021 appointment process which is claimed to be the same as the 2026 process..
Trinidad and Tobago despite calling for a meeting of regional leaders to discuss the issue, was not present when the leaders met virtually last Friday to discuss the matter.
Sir Ronald told television viewers it is clear to him that one “ senior government (official) and Prime Minister is not in favour” of Barnett’s appointment and as a result she should consider stepping down.
“Why am I still there? Because it is clear that I will never enjoy her support and why therefore would I put myself in a situation in which I am now the cause of the rift. If I were Carla Barnett, I would resign now on principle because she will never have Kamla Persad will not attend the meeting if Carla Barnett is at that meeting, neither will her foreign minister….,” he added.
ABS Television which said it will broadcast the entire interview with Sir Ronald at a later date, said the Antigua and Barbuda diplomat, who is also Chancellor of the University of Guyana made reference to the other persons who served as secretary general before Barnett.
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, Apr 15, CMC
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Sir Sir Ron, why have you not resigned your ambassadorial as Antigua and Barbuda’s OAS ambassador?
Why have you not resigned as Vice Chancellor of the Universtiy of Gyyana?
You seem to be the maker of principle when it comes to other citizens.
However when comes to your personal situation you remain as resolute as a giant mahogany tree.
Who solicited your opinion?
Not me and certainly not any of the regional head.
Not even Gaston Browne solicited your opinion.
I guess he is sending you a message.
The message is chest.
You have overstayed your welcome.
Antigua has sufficient people with the requisite educational and intellectual prerequisite.
Some people just blind. Everyone has a right to state their opinion. No one has to ask. Did sir Ron place himself in his position? When you qualify and selected who can move you.
The citizens of Antigua and Barbuda did not select him, oh how I wish that the entire country had to vote for the persons selected for these positions to represent Antigua and Barbuda around the world. Politically appointed by crooked politicians.
This man lack morality. With all the corruption going on in Antigua, he isn’t asking none of the parliamentary representatives to resign that are embroiled in them. From the 15 million dollar car issue to all the corruption and conflict of interest going on blatantly. SMDH!
WHAT THE HELL…! …CRABISHNESS IN SOME INTELLECTUALS: …UTTER HYPOCRISY
‘…ORGANIZATIONAL BREAKING-UP DISEASE’
***
Worry not over their suggestion.
***
‘…FLAWS AND WRETCHEDNESS.’
SOME, SURELY HAVE MUCH MORE THAN ‘…DR. CARLA BARNETT.’
***
CRABISH UTTERANCES.
Well, engaging no one in
(a) ‘…ANY CRABISH UTTERANCES: neither from
(b) …ANY AMBASSADOR: nor
(c) …UNIVERSITY CHANCELLOR: nor
(d) …ANY ‘…JACKASS COMMENTER.’
AS BLUNT AS THAT.
***
NOW:
There is no time for ‘…INTELLECTUAL HIPPOCRISY.’
So do not spread any ‘…ORGANIZATIONAL BREAKING-UP DISEASE: of
(i) ‘…FRAGMENTATION: and
(ii) …DISUNITY.’
***
QUESTION:
IS SIR RON ‘…THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (CARICOM)?’
***
WHAT THE HELL…!
***
YOU, AND KAMLA, BETTER LEAVE ‘…DR. CARLA’ ALONE.’
***
RIDE OFF.
***
Is Sir Ronald position Antigua and Barbuda’s official position? Why should she demit office when she has the support of every other country except Trinidad and Tobago.Isn’t their such a thing as majority concensus. Every other country except Trinidad and Tobago support the Secretary General Dr Carla Barnett. Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister is behaving like Trump. Her way or the highway. Why should the other countries support Trinidad and Tobago choice of Secretary General. Majority must win in a democratic system.
If it is not, then the Prime Minister should fire him.
If it is not, he is a bull in a China shop and needs to be reigned in.
The Prime Minister and his diplomatic shoukd at no time be reading a different script nor singing from a different hymn book.
Sir Sir Ron needs to decide who he wants to work for.
Is his priority the University of Guyana or is it his diplomatic role for Antigua?
The West Indies Federation was a short-lived political union of ten British Caribbean territories, officially established on January 3, 1958, to create a single, independent state from British colonial rule. Formed by Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and territories from the Leeward and Windward Islands, the federation aimed to unify the region. However, it collapsed by May 31, 1962, due to internal political conflicts, rivalries, and the withdrawal of major islands.
Reasons for Collapse:
Internal Conflicts: Intense political rivalries between the participating islands, particularly with larger islands like Jamaica and Trinidad.
Economic Disparities: Differences in economic development and dependency on Britain.
Withdrawal of Key Members: In 1961, a referendum led to Jamaica’s exit, followed by Trinidad and Tobago, resulting in the collapse in 1962.
Note: While the West Indies Federation failed, it paved the way for future regional cooperation, including the creation of CARICOM in 1973
History will repeat itself.
Lets stay as one in the OECS
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is an inter-governmental organization in the Lesser Antilles consisting of 11 members (7 full, 4 associate) focused on regional integration, economic union, and functional cooperation. Established in 1981, it promotes harmonized policies, free movement of people, and shared economic development.
At least that has been working and we have one currency and one Eastern Caribbean Jurisdiction.
Sorry I don’t think we need the bigger Islands. Even the trade with them is unfair.
Why did the Double Sir take a self-imposed exile for the decade of the UPP’s reign? What is he being paid for and how much does he make annually?
Trinidad and Tobago P.M Kamla Persad-Bissessar was not present at the retreat when the vote was taken to reappoint BARNETT which was intentionally planned to exclude TRINIDAD and TOBAGO due to the position taken by the T.T GOVERNMENT on VENEZUELA. P.M Kamla Persad-Bissessar has a democratic right as a CARICOM member state contributing 22% annually towards CARICOM budget to question BARNETT reappointment. Trinidad needs to review the contribution of 22% towards CARICOM budget.
CONTRIBUTIONS should be 100% divide by 15 CARICOM MEMBER STATES equal to 6.66% per country therefore Trinidad should contribute 6.66% of the annual budget or EXIT CARICOM.
BARNETT is ANTI-AMERICA,ANTI SEMITISM,supports HAMAS,HOUTHIS,HISBOLLAH and IRAN the axis of TERRORISM,also the COMMUNIST CUBA GOVERNMENT that oppress and enslave its people.
@Islander The contributions to CARICOM are based on the size of their Economies and their capacity to pay. Basically Trinidad and Jamaica are the only 2 countries really financing CARICOM. Antigua for example only pays about 3% of the budget.
It should also be noted that Trinidad is the biggest beneficiary of CARICOM.
As the Secretary General she doesn’t speak in her own capacity, if she supports Islamists and terrorists it’s because the majority of the Prime Ministers do.
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