When CARICOM prime ministers speak of 'integration and free movement', I am still in the dark as to what they are talking about.

There are some citizens of Caribbean countries who believe that they are better than others and therefore do not take kindly to others 'invading their space'. Some even find comfort in the fact that their leaders support their claim (albeit scoring political points in the process), by pointing out that these 'non-nationals' create a strain on their country's infrastructure, without giving details of such strain. They then proceed to unceremoniously expel these 'non-nationals' from their countries. Non-nationals are those from other Caribbean islands and do not include North Americans (USA and Canada) or Europeans.

Irony

Some go as far as making it difficult at the immigration desks for Caribbean nationals. The Caribbean will not be integrated under these and other circumstances. It is ironic that a number of marriages take place between Caribbean nationals who are not in the Caribbean. When they travel to Britain and the United States, they are likely to marry each other and, in some instances, return to the Caribbean. Some students at the University of the West Indies who marry are, in many cases, from different Caribbean Islands. Others meet through various sporting events or through music and marry or form a bond.

Free movement is not promoted and, as stated before, is often prevented and even discouraged. Excessive searches and unkind comments leave such a bad taste that many who would love to travel for holidays and other activities are discouraged. Even air travel between countries is ridiculously high and may even be understood as a means of preventing integration and free movement. It is much easier to travel in the Eastern Caribbean than it is to travel from the northern regions to the east and vice versa. Jamaica and others in the North are at a distinct disadvantage.

Development of all the islands of the Caribbean should be a priority through free movement and integration. We are still waiting for this to be a reality.

I am, etc.,

NEBERT PRYCE

nebertpryce@yahoo.com

Saint Michael

Barbados