Ross Sheil and Robert Lalah, Staff Reporters
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Frias, and Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller depart the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Rose Hall, Montego Bay, on August 14, 2006 following a press conference. - Photo by Monique Hepburn
Jamaica continued to maintain its presence in the regional and global arena in many aspects in 2006.
Regional Integration
CARICOM heads of government kicked off the year with the historic signing into being of the CARICOM Single Market (CSM) on January 30 at the Mona campus of the University of West Indies (UWI). Former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson said it was a moment in which Caribbean people "can take considerable pride" as the region moved closer towards the world's second single market, behind the European Union (EU)
However, the integration movement hit an obstacle over the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) which has seen only Barbados and Guyana making it their final court. CARICOM countries did agree to the establishment of the US$250 million Regional Development Fund, a key demand of the smaller Organisation of East Caribbean States (OECS) to join CSM. They joined six months after Jamaica and five other countries.
Petro-diplomacy
CARICOM backed Venezuela against Guatemala for a seat on the U.N. Security Council. CARICOM has close diplomatic relations with Venezuela. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez visited Jamaica in August, signing off on a US$260 million loan for Highway 2000 and purchasing a 49 per cent stake in the Petrojam oil refinery, which pumped in US$290 million to expand the facility.
Guatemala was the choice of the U.S. for the Security Council and previously the instigator within the World Trade Organisation to end EU preferential trading support for the region's banana industry. After several rounds of voting, a compromise candidate in the form of Panama had to be selected.
Diaspora Assistance
June saw Kingston hosting the second Jamaican Diaspora Conference. Canadian-Jamaicans are establishing a 'Jamaica Fund', based on the Israeli model, while U.K. Jamaican Members of Parliament Dianne Abbot and Dawn Butler are planning to establish a pro-Jamaica lobby inside their legislature.
Speakers at the conference spoke of the necessity to utilise Jamaican talent abroad. However, at that same event, complaints surfaced from British-Jamaican police officers that they were overlooked for senior positions within the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), which were filled by white Scotland Yard officers.
Lost in Lebanon
Five-year-old Georgio Hado (seated in his mother Nancy Hado's lap) poses with his father Basillios (left) and Liela Younis (right) in the VIP Lounge at the Norman Manley International Airport immediately after arriving from London, England on August 4, 2006. - photo by Janet Silvera Photo
Some Jamaicans had the misfortune of finding themselves caught up in a real war while visiting relatives in Lebanon. Five-year-old Georgio Hado, his grandparents Maria and George Hado and family friend Leila Younis had been marooned there for several weeks during the war between Israel and the militant Lebanese group Hezbollah.
Unwelcome in Cayman
The 11,500-strong Jamaicans living in The Cayman Islands fared even worse. The Cayman government gave until the end of 2006 for Jamaicans who have been in those islands for almost eight years and without permanent residence to leave. Blamed for increasing crime in that country, Jamaicans now need a visa to visit.
Terror Preacher
It was reported on August 21 that Jamaican-born Islamic cleric, Sheikh Abdullah el-Faisal, who has been linked to the July 7, 2005 bombings of the London transportation system, was slated to be deported to the island. Sheikh el-Faisal is believed to have influenced at least one of the July 7 bombers in London. His videos may have been seen by several of the terror suspects arrested earlier that month.
El-Faisal encouraged Muslims to attend training camps so they could wage jihad on the West. He was jailed in February 2003 for nine years, reduced to seven on appeal, after being convicted of soliciting murder and inciting racial hatred. Hundreds of Muslims attended his lectures in mosques across Britain, including Birmingham, London and Dewsbury in West Yorkshire.
ross.sheil@gleanerjm.com.
Countries which joined CSM on January 1:
Jamaica, Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.
Countries which joined on June 30:
Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Cuban Ambassador Gisela Garcia Rivera (left) with Lenissa Woolcock, an eye patient who returned from Cuba after successful surgery. Lenissa and other patients arrived at the Norman Manley International Airport on Saturday, June 3, 2006. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
Jamaican Devon Anderson takes his team of huskies for a practice run in Aviemore, Scotland January 17, 2006. Devon is in Scotland to take part in the Aviemore Sled Dog Race which will take place between January 21 and 22. It is the first time in the event's 22-year history that a Jamaican will partiicipate. - REUTERS
