[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 13]
[House]
[Page 17128]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF CARICOM

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of 
January 7, 2003, the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. 
Christensen) is recognized during morning hour debates for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to recognize the 
30th anniversary of CARICOM which was celebrated on July 4 of this 
year. Founded in 1973 in Chaguaramas, Trinidad, CARICOM, or its full 
name, the Caribbean Community, now includes 16 members. I want to 
congratulate CARICOM's outgoing chair, Prime Minister Pierre Charles of 
Dominica, and the incoming chair, the Honorable P.J. Patterson of 
Jamaica, on behalf of the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands, the 
Congressional Black Caucus, and the Congress of the United States. We 
in the Virgin Islands and the CBC pledge our continued support as they 
meet the challenges presented by new global and regional trade 
alliances and loss of preferences, HIV/AIDS and the other social and 
economic needs of their constituencies, governance, the need for 
regionalization and the difficult relationship with us, their northern 
neighbor.
  I particularly want to recognize the historic participation of the 
Honorable Thabo Mbeki, President of South Africa, in the recent 24th 
regular meeting of the conference of CARICOM heads of government in 
Montego Bay, Jamaica. His presence significantly underscores the 
connectedness of all people of African descent and the sameness of our 
struggles no matter whether on the continent of Africa or in the 
diaspora. As we are linked by blood and history, so is our future tied 
together.
  Mr. Speaker, the Caribbean community also shares important historical 
ties with this Nation and today represents not only an important 
trading partner with the balance in our favor but also a critical 
partner in our fight against drugs in our own country and our important 
efforts to ensure our homeland security. With this background and the 
need for closer cooperation, the recent interactions of our country at 
the 24th heads of government meetings held during the anniversary 
celebration do not make sense to me.
  First, although the presence of U.S. Trade Representative Robert 
Zoellick was important to discussions of the impact of the upcoming 
FTAA agreement, the refusal to support what I consider to be standard 
transitioning for these smaller countries in the face of the loss of 
important preferences which have been the bulwark of their economic 
stability is not the action of a friend and neighbor. I hope that the 
administration will reconsider its position. Secondly, there was 
discussion on the International Criminal Court. While there may be 
differing opinions as to whether the United States should be given a 
waiver from liability under this court, it is unconscionable in my view 
for us to strong arm the Caribbean countries into supporting the waiver 
by threatening to cut off financial aid which has been previously 
committed and on which they are depending. With friends like us, the 
CARICOM nations do not need enemies.
  This is not the first instance in which this country has sought to 
force its will by employing or threatening punitive measures that these 
nations can ill afford. The CARICOM countries are to be commended, 
however, for not surrendering their national integrity in the face of 
our bullying. But there has to be a better way. I want to use this 
time, Mr. Speaker, to call on the administration to seek that better 
way and to recognize the value and integrity of these countries and 
territories, not only because of their importance to our national 
defense in homeland security and economic stability but because they 
are also sovereign nations in their own right, with a long history of 
democratically elected governments.
  As the Delegate from one of this country's two Caribbean offshore 
areas, the health of the region has a direct impact on my district and 
constituents, even more directly than it does on our larger Nation. We 
offer ourselves and that of the recently formed Caribbean Caucus as 
mediators to restore the relationships and mutual support that we used 
to enjoy with the members of CARICOM.
  July 4 is our most important national holiday. It is interesting that 
this is the same day that CARICOM was founded. Perhaps the sharing of 
this date may form the basis of the beginning of that new and improved 
relationship.

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