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EDWARD HARRIS @ LARGE!
IT IS MOMENTUM TIME FOR CSME AND HERBAL MEDICINE IN THE CARIBBEAN!!!

   I find myself engaged in recent weeks in some important initiatives as the institutions within Caricom fast forward the process to the formal implementation of the Caricom Single Market and Economy, (CSME). It is unfortunate however, that at this late stage, there are still voices being heard that we are not ready for the 1st phase of CSME.

   This is one time that politicians will have to take a position in the best interest of the people. The masses seem not to be convinced that CSME is good for them as they seek to protect their turf. It is just a matter of holding on to what you have no matter what. The intellectuals in our midst have not done enough to unravel what seems to be complex in the minds of the simple. It is the same old story. What we don’t understand we do not seek clarification, we ignore it totally and speak negatively about it. There is where we find ourselves at this late stage of the process.  This is yet another demonstration of our intellectuals giving back to society.

   The successful implementation of the CSME should be a top priority of all those who can be considered leaders in their community. We have been leaving the poor and uneducated among us to fend for themselves. This is not a very encouraging state of affairs and already we are seeing the results in several areas, especially that of crime. The time has come for us to be a more caring society. Information and education to the entire community is vital. Information is to sensitive citizens about developments and education is to equip them with knowledge to use it. CSME is in dire need for such an approach. No one can deny the fact that our citizens throughout the region need to be engaged in a dialogue on the benefits of CSME and its impact on the social economic and cultural future of our people. Freedom to move freely within the region and to do what we need to do to better the lives of our people is an important platform for progress.

   The implementation of the CSME is timely as the opportunity for travel and employment in the developed world is fast closing in on us. Visas are becoming more difficult to obtain and immigration conditions within the states are very difficult with sanctions on those who employed undocumented workers. However, the realization that all is not well with the state of readiness as regards the CSME at this junction could give the process the push it needs in the final stage could be the impetus for the CSME movement to gain momentum as we are currently experiencing.

   I had the opportunity to participate in a Regional Policy Forum on Trade Liberalisation in Trinidad on June 15-16, 2005 sponsored by the Barbados based Caribbean Policy Development Centre (CPDC). A wide cross section of issues were discussed and participants were better informed about the state of play in the international negations as all roads lead to Hong Kong for the next round of trade negotiations. Dr. Clive Thomas presented a paper on the topic “Understanding the Dynamics of Coherence and Compatibility in the International Trade Agenda” He made a fundamental point which I feel obliged to share and that is that the posture of our negotiators is wrong. The sugar agreement has never been a preference arrangement. It was negotiated in the mid 1970 when the price of sugar was three times the price paid to us. We did not want an indefinite treaty but it was in the Europeans best interest to lock in a price. Today our negotiators should be seeking a buy out to bring closure to the agreement.  My understanding from the position put on the table by Dr. Thomas is that the Europeans have an obligation to settle instead of just seeking concessions and aid support. The posture we take has serious implications if the Europeans are allowed to dictate the flow of funding in areas that they are disposed to as opposed to our specific needs. Since they are terminating an agreement pay us off and let us make our own decisions on how the money will be best deployed to meet our developmental and other needs.

   The Forum looked at the OECS in the CSME, Gender Indicators, Genetically Modified Organisms, etc.. Veteran Trade Unionist, Mr. George De Pena also made a presentation at the Forum. He lamented the lack of professional staff to deal with the several issues of the negotiations.

   The Forum ended on the note that the challenges ahead must be met with all the vigour of our people and that the NGOs have a pivotal role to play. Our Heads of States within the Caricom region meet in St. Lucia from the 3rd to the 6th of July, 2005 and it should be interesting to see how the movement to CSME will be treated. I am looking for a firm commitment to the process. The citizens should be given a clear signal that CSME is irreversible.

   My next stop was at the 7th International Workshop on Herbal Medicine in St. Lucia, June 23-26, 2005. The joint conference was organized by the Caribbean Association of Researchers and Herbal Practitioners (CARAPA) and Caribbean Herbal Business Association (CHBA) with support from Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the Technical Centre for Agriculture and Rural Cooperation (CTA) and Centre for Development Enterprise (CDE). The theme for the Conference was “Advancing Caribbean Herbs in the 21st Century”.  It was the first collaborative effort between CARAPA and CHBA and it is the desire of all parties that the two organizations cooperate for the advancement of the herbal industry in the region. The conference was held at the Bay Gardens Conference Centre. Over 130 participants from the USA, Latin America, and the entire Caricom Region attended the conference and several research papers were presented.

   The industry is in its infancy and it is very clear that a lot has to be done to give it the acceptance that will be required for herbal products to gain the recognition that is necessary to establish itself as a viable industry. There are some interesting gains made to date at the level of the farm and the factory. A field tour was undertaken on day 3 of the conference which took participants to the National Herbarium and the Mamiku Gardens. It was an experience, especially when we visited Mamiku Gardens where one of the Directors was our tour guide. I am convinced that the problem which exists between Allopathic Doctors and Herbalists is due to the fact that in listening to the guide, it came across that if we follow the herbal way, there will be almost no need for medical doctors. Given the cure all status of the many herbs as explained to us by the well informed guide who supports his stories by internet research offering remedies for pain, cuts, cancer, flu, headache, etc., etc., it is very clear that we need to educate our population in the use of available herbs and to aggressively proceed to do what is necessary to provide scientific evidence on the herbs and their effective use. One area of concern is the required dosage of herbal remedies. A recent research indicated a movement towards acceptability of certain herbs by medical doctors. In some Latin American countries there are herb patches alongside Health Centres. Noni is generally accepted in the region and some producers of the juice are making head way in their local market and are looking at possible exports.

   The Conference concluded with a Dinner and Awards Ceremony. Dr. Compton Seaforth, Past President of CARAPA was awarded for his outstanding contribution to the success of CARAPA. Dr. S. A. Cuffy, ND, a Naturopathic Doctor of Natural Health Ministries, Brooklyn, USA was the Guest Speaker. He gave a recipe on “How to put Women in their Place” (that is a statement to think about) and shared with the audience what he considers the 7 Crown Jewels of Vibrant Health! 1) Detoxification, 2) Immune Fortification, 3) Make the Body Alkaline, 4) Proper Nutrition, 5) Exercise 6) Good Quality Water, 6) Peace of Mind.

   CARAPA and CHBA held their Annual General Meeting during the conference. The outgoing Presidents Dr. Compton Seaforth and Dr. Henry Lowe of the two Associations did not seek re-election. The Executive of CARAPA comprises of the following members: Mr. Kofi Boateng – St. Croix, USVI, President, Dr. Gilbertha St. Rose –Benjamin – St. Lucia, Vice President, Dr. Yuri Clement - T/T, Secretary, Ms. Rose Rajbansee – T/T, Treasurer and Edward Harris – St. Lucia, PRO. The 8th Conference will held in St. Croix in 2006. The elections of the CHBA produced the following results: Ms. Sandra Ereque Weekes – Barbados, President, Ms. Cheryl Bowles – B/dos, Vice President, Mr. Jorge Murillo Yepes – G/da, Secretary and Anselm Benjamin – St. Lucia, Treasurer,

   The last two weeks have been hectic and it seems set to be very exciting times as we move to the count down to the launch of the CSME. The main indicator as to how we progress on the road to making CSME a reality is in the removal of barriers to trade and investments in the region. Some Governments are taking to process right down to December 31, 2005. Interesting, isn’t it?

   Keep the Faith, God is in Charge! We will all live and die, it is for us to make this world a better place – play your way now!

   Edward A. Harris
   Email:  edharas@yahoo.com