P.J. Patterson, “JAMAICA'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UNITED STATES”

Presidents & Prime Ministers, Sep/Oct94, Vol. 3 Issue 5, p11, 2p

This excerpt is from an address by Jamaican Prime Minister P.J. Patterson to the Joint Session of the State Legisature, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, May 2, 1994

During the dynamic process of Caribbean-North American collaboration over the last two centuries, Jamaicans have exerted a profound influence on the social history of the United States of America.

I begin with John Brown Russwurm, the son of slaves, born in 1799. With the assistance of a Quaker family, he migrated to the United States. After completing college, he taught here in Boston at Primus Hall, a school for black students. Today, we proudly remember him as coeditor of the first black newspaper in the United States, Freedom Journal, which appeared on the streets of New York on Friday, March 26, 1827.

Speaking of the experience of blacks then, Russwurm wrote: "Our vices and degradation are ever arrayed against us, but our virtues are passed unnoticed."

We remember Claude McKay, outstanding man of letters, whose literary and artistic talents placed him in the vanguard of the Harlem Renaissance.

Then came Marcus Mosiah Garvey. During his sojourn in this nation, his writings, teachings, vision, and hard work "placed people of Africa and African descent in the consciousness of the modern world and in such a manner that they can never be removed again."

The abolition of apartheid at long last; the right of all the people of South Africa, regardless of race, color, or gender to freely elect a government of their choice; the victory of the ANC [African National Congress] and the imminent inauguration of Nelson Mandela as the first democratic president of South Africa bring the dreams of Marcus Garvey one giant step closer to final fulfillment.

We meet as legislators at a time when the entire world is undergoing rapid and remarkable changes. The cessation of the Cold War and the disappearance of the bipolar axis create the potential for a peace dividend that we are yet to realize. The formation of larger trading blocs and the trend towards greater economic integration make the concept of the global village an increasing reality. For small countries like mine or the economies of Caribbean states, we have to adjust quickly to face the requirements of a global economy and intense competition in the international marketplace.

Like you, we are conscious of the consequences to human existence of continuing destruction of our environment -- global warming, toxic waste disposal, atmospheric pollution.

Our deep concern with environmental degradation brings us to the front line in the war on poverty. Protection of the environment must begin with a commitment to improve the quality of life around the globe, particularly among the millions who just survive below the poverty line. Poverty breeds pollution; pollution entrenches poverty.

Like you, we believe that the true goals of development to eradicate poverty, disease, hunger, and ignorance have never been more evident. It is a challenge which extends beyond purely national boundaries. It is a challenge to humanity itself.

You, like us, will not have failed to notice the widening gulf between the popular culture and established authority. We are all concerned with the threat to the social order posed by drugs and the spread of violence. We need to build a strong, just, and acceptable social order to replace the old order which is everywhere disappearing fast.

Where do we begin? As intractable as the problems seem, there are opportunities implicit in every crisis. Technology now permits an unprecedented flow of information to the people. This, in turn, stimulates a heightened and keen interest in public affairs and thereby makes possible deeper channels for democratic participation.

I have already made some mention of the historical relationship between Jamaica and the United States. The example of your forefathers who, in search of human freedoms and self-determination, led the American people in shaking off the fetters of colonial domination, to build in its stead a solid, enduring democracy, has served as a beacon of hope for peoples all over the world and within my own region.

The citizens of Massachusetts have given to this nation, and indeed to the world, leadership not only in education and the arts, in industrial and technological development, but also great leaders of social conscience and of government. Four American presidents have called Massachusetts home; prominent among these in modern times, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, whose vision of a pivotal role for America in the promotion of

world peace and development is even now unfolding with greater clarity and timely relevance.

In the early years of our existence, commerce between the English-speaking Caribbean territories and the New England states was essential to the economy of both regions. Our early record shows a history of exports to Boston of rum and bananas, products of excellent quality and vintage which we still export....

Today, Jamaica's economic development is greatly influenced by its relationship with the United States. The US is Jamaica's largest trading partner; about 60 percent of our trade flow is with the USA. Most of our tourists are from your country, and there has been substantial American investment in our bauxite/alumina industry.

Our policy as a government has been to transform the Jamaican economy in such a way as to equip it to meet the challenges of the future. The private sector rather than government is recognized as the primary engine of economic growth. Our economy has been liberalized and deregulated. State enterprises have been divested to private ownership. A functional partnership is being developed between public and private

sectors which will release the economy and society from bureaucratic constraints that inhibit enterprise and growth.

But Jamaica is faced with a daunting reality. Preferential arrangements are being eroded much quicker than we are able to adjust as we seek to meet the challenges of global competition and trade liberalization.

We live in a world of globalization and regional groupings of enormous economic opportunities. NAFTA [North American Free Trade Agreement] is a case in point. The Caribbean Basin Initiative [CBI] no longer gives us all the benefits we need to increase our exports to the United States and secure balanced trade.

Our diplomatic thrust, therefore, has to be and has been to secure the requisite breathing space. Efforts by the CBI group of countries to obtain terms of entry into the US market, no less favorable than those enjoyed by exports from Mexico, are a part of that thrust.

This great commonwealth of Massachusetts, continuing in its leadership tradition, can play its part in these efforts on behalf of the countries in the Caribbean. Support of Congressional initiatives, both in the House and Senate, to obtain NAFTA parity for CBI countries is most deserving.

Your state legislature would render great assistance to Jamaica and the Caribbean through support of relevant measures aimed at strengthening Jamaica/USA cooperation.

Parity is not an end in itself. Arrangements which allow Jamaica to be a full NAFTA partner are our ultimate objective. Jamaica now qualifies, in our view, for such arrangements. It is our hope that we will be included among those countries listed as eligible for NAFTA membership....

There exists within my own country, within the region as a whole, a shortage of skilled personnel. Resources to adequately equip health and educational facilities are scarce. At the same time, sustainable economic development is impossible without efficient and sound support services. Technical cooperation with various countries and entities is, therefore, an essential part of the strategy to fill identified gaps. These arrangements provide for identification of resources in essential areas of need, whether they be volunteers for schools or hospitals, transfer of technology, or exchange of experience in farming or management techniques.

I would like to suggest, therefore, that collaboration between Jamaica and the commonwealth of Massachusetts in a more direct way would be of benefit to both our peoples. There is great value in institutional links not only at the federal level, but at the state level.

And let us not forget legislatures and legislators. The struggle for democracy in this hemisphere is well-documented and made famous in this very city via the Boston Tea Party. Our hallowed tradition of democracy has a common source. Nothing would please us more than a close relationship with the Massachusetts Legislative Assembly, an association which would allow further development of the parliamentary system of

government and even increase the efficiency of day-to-day parliamentary activities.

The members of this legislature, like those of mine, have inherited a rich legacy from our founding fathers and mothers. The challenge is now for us to build on the sound foundations which they have laid: an edifice that promotes human dignity, tolerance, and respect to create that opportunity which enables every individual to realize their true potential and to seek that brave new world where equity, peace, and justice abound.

~~~~~~~~

By Prime Minister P. J. Patterson, Jamaica.

Copyright of Presidents & Prime Ministers is the property of Presidents & Prime Ministers and its content may not be copied or e-mailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder`s express written permission. However, users may print, download, or e-mail articles for individual use. Source: Presidents & Prime Ministers, Sep/Oct94, Vol. 3 Issue 5, p11, 2p. Item: 9409231780