Grenada PM makes case for greater Caribbean unity

(Caribbean leaders at signing of MOU for political and economic union with T&T)

Grenadian Prime Minister Tillman Thomas made a case in new York Sunday for deepening the regional integration movement.

"When you look at what’s happening around the world and, in particular, this present global economic crisis, clearly, we need to have a more unified or regional government in the region," Thomas told a town hall meeting Sunday evening in Brooklyn.

"We need to have a more regional approach to governance in the region," he said, citing the cost of regional representation abroad.

Thomas noted that the positions taken by most CARICOM member states at the United nations are similar.

"When you think about world issues and think about how Grenada or Trinidad or Jamaica or St. Vincent would vote, generally, the position is quite similar...I’m saying, look, we could come up with a structure – it’s a regional government.

"We could have one representation at the United Nations representing the region. That’s a possibility," he added.

"Look at the United States, look at Europe, look at other countries how they’re coming together. We have a common language, a common tradition, a common culture.

"All we need to do is improve our sea transportation and air transportation within the region. We can come up with a regional government. It’s not difficult to achieve. It’s been achieved in other countries," he said.

Thomas urged Caribbean nationals in the Diaspora to "help advance that cause," adding that in Brooklyn, "a Caribbean man is a Caribbean man – whether you’re from Trinidad, Jamaica or Grenada."

Trinidad and Tobago signed a memorandum of agreement with Grenada, St Vincent, and St Lucia in August last year for a political and economic union.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning has argued that such a union would benefit everyone and improve the lives of citizens in the three countries as well as those in Trinidad and Tobago.

Read the story: Manning committed to regional union

He has said the 2012 general election would be a referendum on the issue.

Read the story" 2012 election to be referendum on political union
Related story: Is Manning making Grenada a colony of T&T