Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jul 30, 2008 Features / Columnists
Many things are happening and while many are not reported by the press, these things have gone a long way toward making life in Guyana better in spite of difficult times. One of these things has had to do with the protection of regional rights.
Last year Guyana and the other CARICOM countries set about discussing revamped trade terms with the European Union.
After weeks of serious negotiations they hammered out an Economic Partnership Agreement that was akin to them surrendering their sovereignty.
This agreement was indeed crucial to their continued trade with the European bloc since it allowed them to enjoy certain conditions which the Europeans at one time threatened to remove, thus making it extremely difficult for the regional exporters to make their products competitive on that market.
However, while some leaders may have adopted an attitude that suggests that they were going to go by the old maxim ‘half a loaf is better than none’, Guyana decided that it was not a colony and therefore was not prepared to go along with anything that appeared to make the small country seem a beggar.
The European Union is threatening all manner of sanctions if the Economic Partnership Agreement is not signed and while it is perhaps the best market for Guyana’s sugar, this country is not prepared to be dictated to.
Already there have been criticisms of Guyana’s position from people who know that the sovereignty of a country is its greatest asset.
Even in sister CARICOM states there have been scathing criticism of President Bharrat Jagdeo’s position.
But what does Guyana’s position mean?
It means that gone are the days when the big powers dictated to this country and the leaders danced to its tune. Instead, President Jagdeo is sending a clear message that Guyanese will be respected wherever they go.
For example, the European Union was of the view that it was not going to grant concessions to entertainers from this part of the world.
Regional entertainers have for decades thrilled European audiences and taken a large slice of the region to those people.
The regional leaders persisted and they were allowed to include entertainers in the mix of regional exports.
At the same time, the Europeans were prepared to accept spirits from the region because those spirits have over the years become a part of their lifestyle in the same way that Guyanese have grown accustomed to certain European spirits, including certain wines and vodka.
In the end, the agreement favoured the Europeans more than it did the region and President Jagdeo has been bold enough to declare that he would not be a party to it.
In his book, Guyana can do much better. In recent years, Guyana has been moving to consolidate its continental destiny. There have been talks with Venezuela and Brazil.
In the case of Venezuela the critics have ignored the fact that although there is a good neighbour process in the territorial issue with Venezuela, the relationship between President Jagdeo and President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela has been of such that the neighbouring country has said that it has no designs on Guyana.
That did not come about easy. The critics surely cannot forget that after 1966 Venezuela began to beat drums over Essequibo to the extent that this country has had to seek regional support.
This has changed and all because of President Jagdeo and his open attitude to dialogue with his Spanish-speaking counterpart.
The critics should not forget that Venezuela put paid to Guyana’s efforts to develop the hydroelectric project in the Essequibo. Today there are renewed efforts and Venezuela has raised no objection.
Guyana has also offered its rainforest as part of a move to combat global warming and in turn will receive carbon credits.
It was President Jagdeo who went on a global campaign to demand that if Guyana was to sacrifice its development to combat global warming then it should be paid.
Brazil is no different. Skilful dealings have seen the construction of a bridge link between the two countries and the distinct possibility of a road running through the very Essequibo.
These things have not come through mere talk but by skilful diplomatic and dedicated action to cement that continental destiny.
There is now the possibility that in the face of the European threat Guyana will still be assured of markets in the south.
India and China are also large markets, so large that every rich country in the world is forced to trade with them if they are to enjoy the benefits of their exports.
Guyana knew this and has been doing this over the years. These markets are also available to Guyana because this country has things that those two economic giants need.
It would be a blind man who would blame the government for the diplomatic efforts on which it has embarked and has been pursuing.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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