Caribbean Report 07-02-1991

Abstract

Haiti’s new President, Rev. John Bertrand Aristide is sworn in as Haitians celebrate the beginning of a second independence. The new President has gained widespread praise as this is the first time Haiti has had a properly elected Head of State since it gained independence from France in 1804. President Aristide has received endorsements from President Jimmy Carter and Jamaican President Michael Manley. The major priorities for the new President are the setting up a Cabinet and the appointment of a Prime Minister as the country sets to celebrate its Carnival activities over the weekend. The Governor General of Barbados, Dame Nita Barrow, made her first throne speech at the official opening of both houses of Parliament. She unveiled the government‘s policies for the next 5 years and outlined a number of proposals to get the economy moving and to tackle the social problems in the island. Whilst she announced the setting up of a broad based commission to tackle youth problems one researcher explains that specific research is necessary before the concerns of youth can be addressed. Jamaica is caught in the debt servicing trap although it has become eligible for more loans from the IMF after meeting the targets set for the fund. However, Mr. P.J. Patterson, Minister of Finance admits that the country will be borrowing money to pay off borrowed money used to discharge the present debt obligations. He adds that the net inflows from the multi-lateral institutions are below the country’s net outflows to these institutions. The Prime Minister of Bahamas, Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling responds to the recent statements made by Dr. Timothy Ashby that the Bush administration had taken the Caribbean off its agenda as a region of strategic importance. Sir Pindling believes that the Caribbean was never high on Washington’s agenda and does not see it happening in the future. Sir Pindling provides his some views on the economic prospects for the Caribbean.