Snieders

Ever since Michael Jackson's passing away on June 25, media focus has been on his incredible life, one lived in the spotlight. The people who exploited MJ throughout his career, gathered for the ceremonial service at the Staples Center, last Tuesday. Family, friends and business relations will be trying to boost record sales for the next couple of months in order to squeeze the last bit of money out of the 'King of Pop', who had begun to look more and more like a scarecrow over the last 15 years.

MJ himself seldom travelled the Caribbean. In March 1975, he did a tour of Jamaica. MJ and his brothers (The Jackson Five) performed at the National Stadium in St Andrew as opening act for Bob Marley and The Wailers. Some years later, in 1978, the Jackson Five performed in Trinidad and Tobago. In fact, there have been rumours since 2008, that Michael and his sister Janet were planning to do a concert in Haiti in the near future. Allegedly to draw some attention to the impoverished nation that has been a full member of CARICOM since July 2, 2002.

CARICOM spotlight

These days, CARICOM is hitting the spotlight big time; its pluses, minuses, its political basis and future. Discussions focus on the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), and the (possible) free movement of people around the region. In fact, migration has already repainted most countries into multi-national and multi-racial melting pots. Just to catch the right perspective; 99 per cent of the Caribbean consists of immigrants - from Africa, Europe and Asia. The other one per cent, I am not sure about. I understand these folks whom we know as indigenous Indians (yes, the ones living in reserves), might have come from Asia through the Bering Strait, which was probably covered with ice at that point in time.

Free movement of people within CARICOM has considerable social and financial impact on some of the member states. Nobody likes to pay for other people's problems. For example, we wouldn't want people to migrate en masse to Barbados or Trinidad. There is not enough work, so who is going to take care of those people, financially? It will cause envy and hate in the end.

We experience this type of situation on the island where I live, St Maarten. Over the last decades, people have migrated to St Maarten in such ridiculous numbers that the island is bursting. Corruption makes things worse; our government literally sells building, residency and business permits. The result: roads are full; (social) tension is building up. We see a stunning number of illegal people - 30 or 40 per cent of the total population. The Dominican Republic, Guyana, Haiti and Jamaica nationals, mostly. They come by plane on a tourist visa and stay after the visa has expired. Others arrive in little boats -at night.

CARICOM expansion

Although there are many practical issues to it like I said, I think that CARICOM should expand at very short notice. Together we stand stronger; this has always been the idea of CARICOM. Let's make The Dominican Republic a full member state as soon as possible. Their government has filed a request two times already (the last in 2005). The Dominican Republic has a lot to offer: stable political situation, liaisons with the United States, workforce, agriculture, technical know-how, tourism. This expansion alone will more than double the gross domestic product of CARICOM. After the Dominican Republic, other associate member states and observers are likely to follow. We will all benefit from growing economic activity. Take the European Union as an example. One transparent territory, one strong currency. CARICOM power! We have everything: beautiful lands, beautiful people, agriculture, tourism and strategic geographic positions. It's 2009 and the world is in (financial) crisis. When a positive trend sets in, as it will, we need to be ready to pick up the fruits.

Okke W. Snieders is a St Maarten-based freelance writer. Feedback may be sent to owsnieders@hotmail.com or columns@gleanerjm.com