Bad move, Mr Patterson
published: Wednesday | September 24, 2003
THE EDITOR Sir
PM PJ Patterson's decision to decline invitation for breakfast meeting with President Bush during his visit to USA this week, was certainly the last straw! Breakfast as I can recall is not exactly an all-morning affair, plus to make a counter offer to meet the President 'at any other time in Washington' gives the impression that our PM wanted to have the upperhand, even as a guest, in a foreign country. Perhaps he would be more explicit in the reason given, 'conflict of interest'.
Despite the less than cordial relations between the two, and perhaps even CARICOM on a whole, strategic positioning is key, that is the basis of diplomatic relations between foreign countries. It can work in our favour regardless of what we agree on or disagree on. We have to sit and meet with even those we hate. Discussion is the first step, and often brings accord, even if it means agreeing on our disagreements.
Even though the PM offered to reschedule the invitation, which seemed impolite to say the least, the press spokesman Huntley Medley admitted they 'had not received a response, neither did they expect one'. Rudeness certainly will breed rudeness!
