Caribbean Report 13-03-1992

Abstract

While Jamaicans await the official retirement announcement from Prime Minister Michael Manley, speculations over the issue of succession are debated. Labour Minister Portia Simpson and former Deputy Prime Minister P. J. Patterson are strong contenders for the position. David Jessop Executive Director of the West India Committee in London, fears that Mr. Manley’s retirement comes at a time that is critical to Caribbean foreign relations with Europe and North America. In St. Lucia, General Secretary of the National Farmers Union Darnley La Bourne expresses concern over the lack of intensity displayed by Caribbean leaders in safeguarding the preferential treatment of Caribbean bananas on the European market. Although the European parliament has asked European commissioners to ensure the exclusion of bananas in the GATT negotiations, it maintains that the final decision rests with the commissioners. St. Lucia’s Minister for Women Affairs, Stephenson King defends his absence from the “Women in the Media” symposium calling criticism from participants unfair. Jamaica is left uncertain about a bauxite trading arrangement it had with the former Soviet Union now that Russia and the Ukraine are members of the Commonwealth of Independent States.