The debate must go on

I must thank Reverend Jobe for starting the debate on wire-tapping, following the call for its introduction by Deputy Commissioner of Police Bertram Pompey. Reverend Jobe’s comments came during his sermon at the Ecumenical Church Service for the opening of the new law term. Based on reports in the newspapers, the Methodist Superintendent was concerned about possible abuse and about things getting out of control. He warned about the possibility of creating monsters that will come back to haunt us.{{more}} This follows other concerns coming out of Guyana. A Bill to introduce wire-tapping was, according to the Caribbean Net News, introduced in Parliament in that country in August. An item appearing in its September 23rd edition stated as follows; “It will require service providers to record and store particulars of cellular phones and SIM cards- portable memory chips used in cell phones- which they sell, as well as information on the customers who purchase these items.” Interestingly, opposition in Guyana is coming from the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company and the union representing commercial workers. The Guyana Postal and Telecommunications Workers’ Union has called on Government to withdraw legislation that will allow the authorities to tap and intercept telephone conversations. What is of interest is that the major concern of the union appears to be based on the fear that workers who have to carry out the directives arising from the law, if it becomes a law, will be put in ‘a precarious position’. In fact the Union Boss says, according to a report by Oscar Ramjeet, that they were not against interception but preferred that it be done by a separate agency and not the telecommunications industry.

Now I am of the view that wire- tapping already exists in some of our Caricom countries. What appears to be happening now is the growth of efforts by governments to have the thing legalised. Reverend Jobe is right that the thing could get completely out of control despite safeguards that might be put in. When we look at the political context in the region there is no doubt in my mind that this can be seriously abused. Having said all of that we must not fool ourselves, our privacy is invaded in so many different ways. We are always being watched and monitored with the help of the available technology. There is little privacy. It has become a fact of life but we have to try as far as we can to preserve whatever little bit of privacy we still have. On the issue of wiretapping we are told that the call for wiretapping is mainly for the purpose of tracking and monitoring the use of mobile phones in the planning and carrying out of crimes. So good! We all want to support the police in their efforts to apprehend criminals, but it is more easily said than done and there is a thin line some where for this can easily spill over into other areas. Someone perceives for whatever reason that Mr. X might be a criminal and, therefore, is allowed to tap his phone. The line really becomes blurred because Mr. X might not be a criminal except in some one’s imagination. Then behind all of this is the fear that governments can use this mechanism to spy on political opponents. The system can indeed be abused. It will be good to hear other voices on this issue for it is a serious one and we need to let our voices be heard before any effort is made to legalise it here.

Caribbean Integration- Again

The CSME and EPA continue to be major talking points in the region, with the Guyanese President Bharrat Jagdeo even taking the matter before the United Nations. According to a news item penned by Nelson King, the Guyanese President said in his appearance before the United Nations General Assembly that the EPA may “fundamentally affect development in our societies and jeopardise our future negotiating positions at the WTO.” Jagdeo pledges to sign a goods only deal rather than embrace the full package that includes goods and services. What happens to a region that was supposed to be moving to the same rhythm but which now finds itself dancing to at least two different drums is left to be seen. We can argue that Guyana is the odd man out, but that is far from being the truth because some of its concerns have been voiced by different groups in the region- labour, ngos and academics. So Guyana represents the concerns of significant groups in the region. If Caricom couldn’t come to a common understanding on this what else do we expect them to have a consensus on?

We are told that the rest of Caricom with the exception of Haiti and Guyana will sign the EPA document sometime in October. But that will certainly not be the end of the debate on the EPA. But it might not be so big a thing if the divisions only related to the EPA. The CSME is in deep trouble. David Thompson who is supposed to be the lead person on the CSME, taking over from former Prime Minister Owen Arthur, has made his position absolutely clear, Barbadians first within the physical territory of Barbados. He has been accused rightfully so of going against the spirit of the CSME. So the whole thing is thrown in doubt. It might be too that he is responding to the other cross currents that have to do with a political union of the OECS and Trinidad and Tobago. We know what’s happening with the governments but where are the people of the region- the academics, the labour movement, civil society generally? It is wishful thinking to believe that all of these cross movements will not impact on the broader regional movement, whatever that might be. A meeting is scheduled sometime soon in St.Kitts to carry this new initiative of binding Trinidad and Tobago with the OECS countries further. Our Prime Minister sees no conflict within the Caricom network. When I hear the views coming from Jamaica, Belize, and even Barbados, it is clear that there is and will be conflict within the Caricom network. What is the next step? There are so many things dangling in the air at the same time. Would Guyana ever resolve its conflict with the rest of the region over the EPA? Barbados has stated its position which is clearly at odds with some other members of CARICOM. Can they live with the recent preachings of Thompson without derailing the spirit and body of CARICOM?

Increased Prices of Rice and Flour

These are of course two basic items of food and will once again add to the increased pressure on consumers. The St.Vincent and the Grenadines Union of Teachers in their battle with government over the reclassification issue has made reference to what it calls the unbearable nature of the cost of living. Consumers continue to cry out for the removal of VAT on some basic items and even for reducing the rate. This option appears to be out. Dr. Gonsalves made it clear that the introduction of the Value Added Tax was in preparation for the launching of the EPA. If the EPA cuts in more than anticipated and in a shorter time on custom revenues then we can expect that the Value Added Tax will have to take up even more of the slack. That is the point at which we will be forced to pay more serious attention to the implications of the EPA. That might be down the road but, remember it is still on the road.

Dr Adrian Fraser is a social commentator and historian.