Caricom member states have accepted The Bahamas’ reservations to the Caribbean Common Market and Economy (CSME), as regards the free movement of people and monetary union, the Community’s Secretary General has confirmed.
“The Government of The Bahamas has repeatedly expressed its reservations to the Community about the monetary union and the free movement of persons under CSME as it affects The Bahamas, a position accepted by the member states of the Community,” wrote Caricom Secretary General Edwin Carrington in a letter to Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell last week.
The letter, dated May 13, was written in response to remarks attributed to a Caricom official by outgoing Bahamas Chamber of Commerce President Winston Rolle. Mr Rolle claimed the representative said the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, which seeks to set up CSME, did not allow for reservations, but only delayed implementations of various aspects of the treaty. Mr Rolle claimed the Caricom representative also said compliance with terms of the treaty was inevitable.
“Obviously there must have been some misunderstanding, as the Revised Treaty establishing the Caribbean Community, including the Caricom Single Market and Economy, provides for reservations that may be entered to this treaty with the consent of the signatory state, as is the case with The Bahamas,” wrote Mr Carrington.
He noted that a country’s right to reservations was a provision of international law. “I wish to assure you that nothing has changed in relation to the Community’s acceptance at the level of Heads of Government of the rights of states under the Treaty,” wrote Mr Carrington. “The Bahamas remains a valued member of the community with the complete assurance of respect for its sovereignty.”
In a press statement issued yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Mr Mitchell welcomed Mr Carrington’s clarification. The statement further noted that The Bahamas’ reservation regarding a Caribbean Court of Justice had also been agreed and reservations to external tariffs and the right to establishment (the right of Community nationals to set up businesses) were left to be considered.
By: Raymond Kongwa, The Nassau Guardian
