BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (AP):
A UNITED States envoy has warned Caribbean leaders to watch what they say about the war in Iraq, saying the United States was disappointed with some criticisms from the region.
Otto Reich, presidential envoy to the Western Hemisphere, said Wednesday there could be consequences to the Caribbean Community's (CARICOM) statements against the war.
"We are very disappointed by some of the statements," Reich said at a news conference while in Barbados for a one-day regional business conference.
"The U.S. would appreciate a little support from its friends, or at least not to be criticised in public," he said.
Many countries in the 15-member CARICOM have criticised the U.S. for going ahead with military action without United Nations approval.
Regional leaders at a summit in February issued a statement detailing their concerns about war, including rising oil prices and declines in tourism, a major industry for most Caribbean countries.
"We are firmly opposed to the use of force at a time when diplomatic efforts had not yet been exhausted," the statement said.
Since then, the Caribbean Community has not changed its stance, and some leaders have said they are concerned the war will bring economic troubles.
Reich, who returned to Washington yesterday, said such statements were unhelpful, and that the United States needed support as it sent troops into battle.
"I would urge CARICOM to study very carefully not only what it says, but the consequences of what it says," he said, but added that the U.S. would not retaliate directly against its critics.
He said it could become more difficult to lobby the U.S. Congress for programmes that benefit the Caribbean.
"What do I tell a member of Congress if I go asking for increased access for Caribbean products, for example, and he says, 'Well, they did not support us in our time of need'," Reich said.
