First, at the international level, the very good news was Wednesday’s announcement by America’s President Barack Obama that he would work with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to persuade Syria to give up its stockpile of chemical weapons and, by so doing, avoid threatened United States-led military strikes against that Middle East nation.
The Caribbean Community, whose foreign ministers had earlier urged “valiant efforts for a negotiated settlement” could humbly share the much deserved overwhelming satisfaction of both Pope Francis and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. Separately they had varyingly pointed out the futility of a military option, suggesting instead sincere and serious diplomatic initiatives.
The BBC’s respected Moscow-based correspondent Steven Rosenberg noted Wednesday that the idea of Syria’s surrender of its chemical weapons had originated with President Putin. If, therefore, the initiative proves successful “it would be a huge diplomatic coup for the Kremlin leader . . .”.
Second, at the regional level, the 2014 budget presented on Monday by Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Finance Larry Howai included an announcement that would be quite welcome by regional airline LIAT. It is the termination of the annual US$50 million fuel subsidy to state-owned Caribbean Airline Ltd (CAL).
For those who depend heavily on the daily intra-regional services provided by LIAT, it is to be hoped that ending of this “unfair subsidy” to CAL would also eventually result in improved passenger services across the region. For a start, with shareholder governments and the airline’s management ensuring less apologies for the frustrations over irregular flight schedules. Worse, late cancellations.
The removal of CAL’s subsidy could also be viewed as, ultimately, a positive response by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s government to the pleas from some CARICOM leaders, foremost being Vincentian Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, who has lead responsibility among regional Heads of Government for air and sea transportation.
Third, at a national level, the news on Tuesday that the Cuban national Raul Garcia, imprisoned in Barbados for 20 years for trafficking in illegal drugs, and then having to stressfully contend with multiple legal, security and political manoeuvrings, received permission to return to Cuba, would have been a most welcome development.
Particularly so for the many caring Barbadians who kept hope alive – through the admirable work of his indomitable lawyer, David Comissiong – for his return to his native land, since the United States, where he had lived for some years, would not accept him.
A new Cuban passport is on its way. It’s a long overdue but mature decision by Cuba. Good work, David!
• Rickey Singh is a noted Caribbean journalist.
