Statement By His Excellency

Dr. Patrick Albert Lewis

Ambassador of Antigua & Barbuda

at the

General Debate

of the

Fifty-Third United Nations General Assembly


September 28th, 1998

On behalf of the Government and People of Antigua and Barbuda, I would like to congratulate you on your election to preside over this Fifty-Third Session of the United Nations General Assembly. You are well-known to envoys of my country who have worked with you, and who can attest to your humanistic and unprejudiced vision of the world. We feel confident that under your guidance, this will be a productive session. I likewise wish to express my Country's recognition to the Permanent Representative of the Ukraine, for the skillful manner in which he conducted the work of the Fifty-Second Session. I also pay tribute to the Secretary-General, who is entrusted with the advancement of this organisation at such a critical time in history.

Mr. President

This year marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), of which Antigua and Barbuda is a proud member. Despite the utterings of the prophets of doom, CARICOM did much more than survive, and the areas of cooperation deepened and widened. What started as a free trade arrangement has expanded, and is marked by a number of significant institutions in areas such as education and health, as well as those inherent in the areas of sports and culture. This year the Order of the Caribbean Community Award was given to four individuals, and among them was the former Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Vere Cornwall Bird, appropriately dubbed 'Father of the Nation.'

In accepting the award, the former Prime Minister stated that 'despite the difficulties, we have erected fine institutions; institutions that are a tribute to the resourcefulness of our leaders and the support of the people. But, difficult as they were to build, it is easy for them to be tumbled unless, today's leaders and people are prepared to safeguard and preserve them. To do so requires the same vision, the same determination and the same spirit of selflessness that motivated previous generation.' I assure you, Mr. President, that the mentioned spirit is steadfast among us, and there is no turning back.



Mr. President

Peace, security and disarmament are vital to a safe and secure planet; and the countless individuals who live daily in constant fear, whether in regard to terrorists, hatred between ethnic groups, internecine warfare, or religious persecution, gives us much concern. Added to that is the expanding nuclear rivalry. The nuclear club is no longer exclusive as it had been for thirty-four years, to the five permanent members of the Security Council. The question to be posed is whether the five long-time nuclear powers will now accept that the only way to prevent nuclear proliferation is to abolish all nuclear weapons, a factor that has been repeatedly stressed in debates in these hallowed walls and in the General Assembly resolutions, or will the nuclear club quickly move beyond the present seven members. We urge that this matter be given the serious consideration that it deserves, as we must commit ourselves to the future generations; but are presently dismayed about the future of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).


Mr. President

Irrespective of the high-sounding praises given to globalisation, to most of the developing world it hurts, and hurts excessively. For the past four years, that is since the establishment of the World Trade Organisation, disturbing signs have emerged of trends which point in the direction of exclusion rather that inclusion, and of marginalization rather than integration; and these trends are now having a serious negative effect on countries which recently were optimistically viewing their prospects.

The multilateral financial institutions which provide resources to developing countries at concessional rates continue, despite numerous protests and logical arguments presented to them, to use the GNP as a basis for judging our economic wherewithall. Somehow globalisation and liberalisation will work magic irrespective of the existing and deep-seated problems of small states. The case of bananas must again be highlighted. The undoing of the Lome (Trade) Agreement, and injury which this hostile act can inflict on the small banana-exporting countries of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, of which Antigua and Barbuda is a member, gives grave cause for concern. Small, peace-loving states, causing no harm to any other state under the terms of the Lome Agreement, have found themselves yoked by the WTO ruling. Without some form of protection, the banana industry in the CARICOM states would collapse, leading to severe social dislocation which would ultimately manifest itself in political catastrophe.

The multilateral trading system needs to be fair and equitable, and the imbalances in the present agreements should be rectified. The benefits of the system should accrue to all states in relation to their needs and not in proportion to their share in international trade. There needs to be recognition of the serious limitations of the principle of reciprocity as an instrument for mutually advantageous trading arrangements when the participating countries have different levels of development. The WTO must contribute to achieving positive coherence in global economic policy. Widespread and equitably shared economic growth will surely benefit all. 'In fact, the developed countries will be important beneficiaries of the economic growth and development of developing countries which will provide larger markets and better opportunities, respectively, for their products and investment. This will also lead to global peace and prosperity ensuring a truly stable framework for international relations based on mutuality of benefits.



Mr. President

My government welcomed the 20th Special Session of the General Assembly held between 8 to 10 June, 1998 on 'The World Drug Problem.' In the Caribbean the Non-Self-Governing Territories have the same problems in regard to narcotics as the independent countries. There is a multi-dimensional thrust upon our entities, as there is a challenge to governability by non-state actors, and the drug operators. The influence of the drug traffickers forces our Governments to shift very limited resources from development priorities to law enforcement and the rehabilitation of addicts. The social erosion, economic dislocation and increase in criminal activity mean that for small societies striving to overcome economic vulnerability, it becomes a tremendous challenge to maintain functioning institutions in an environment with the potential for decreased productivity. Quite frankly, there is the possibility for us all to become the involuntary victims of the drug trade. It is no secret that the small island developing and low-lying coastal states of the Caribbean have inadequate defences against the vast resources of the drug traffickers. In addition, if we are not sufficiently fearful of the devastation that can be caused by the illicit traffic in narcotics, we must be gravely concerned about the destruction that can accompany the attendant traffic in small arms and ammunition. In one of the most comprehensive plans of action on Caribbean policy and development, the West Indian Commission noted that 'nothing poses greater threats to civil society in CARICOM countries than the drug problem; and nothing exemplifies the powerlessness of regional Governments more.'


Mr. President, my Prime Minister addressed the issue of the powerlessness of regional Governments in a recent statement to the Caribbean Studies Association. In that statement, he referred to the dictatorial approach taken by certain countries. Given our limited capabilities, we acknowledge the importance of cooperation to develop mechanisms that can respond to incidents of drug trafficking. We encourage collaboration therefore, where appropriate, to achieve the desired results - the apprehension and conviction of criminals.

Allow me to speak briefly on the subject of alternative development policies. Antigua and Barbuda and indeed other Caribbean countries that have introduced an off-shore financial services sector did so as a direct response to the perceived need to diversify our economies in the face of globalization and trade liberalization. On the one hand, we are told that we must once again adjust our economic policies to encompass alternative development programs. On the other hand, when we choose the financial services sector and follow the example of other countries that have done so before us, we are labelled as havens for money launderers and corruption and steps are taken to undermine our efforts and limit the competitive advantage that we may enjoy. We do not believe that this approach lends itself to genuine partnership and mutual respect. What we need is collaboration, information exchange and technical support to assists us in ensuring that our financial services sector is not abused by dubious sources while it provides us with much needed economic resources.

History clearly proves that drug abuse and illicit trafficking know no boundaries; no country is inoculated against their effects. It is logical to conclude, therefore, that the fight against drug trafficking and abuse must transcend any individual country strategy.


My Government supports an unbiased approach to the United Nations' thematic agenda on drug control for the 21st Century. The decision to focus on demand reduction, elimination of illicit crops, judicial cooperation, money laundering, stemming illicit production of synthetic drugs and the control of drug-production chemicals, must be consistent with the desire for global strategy against drug trafficking. The transnational nature of the drug problem warrants such concerted action to create the drug-free world that we all desire.

Antigua and Barbuda is committed to this global strategy. We have signed a number of interdiction agreements and appointed an official to coordinate national action against drug trafficking and related crimes. This official works closely with the Attorney General to ensure formulation and implementation of the national drug policy. In addition to the policy initiatives, we are currently completing work on a drug treatment facility that we hope will be used not only as a centre for rehabilitation but also as a training facility in the region.

It seems logical here, that a word should be said in regard to the adoption of the statute for the International Criminal Court as Caribbean nations had hoped that an ICC would aid in the elimination of the narcotic scourge. The media did not, to any significant extent diffuse the idea that it was a Caribbean country, Trinidad and Tobago, that revived the idea for an international criminal court after a lapse of forty-one years. In 1989, Trinidad and Tobago reintroduced to the United Nations the concept of 1948. But the specific reasons for the ICC as advanced by Trinidad and Tobago and other CARICOM states were put on the back-burner. We had pleaded for a Court that would try and sentence those involved in the transhipment of narcotics, of terrorism, and of marine abuses, including the violation of our territorial waters. What is before us is an ICC emphasizing genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression. All of which we support, yet, are faced with the clear manifestation that we are still on the periphery.

The West Indies have always been on the periphery of dominant economic systems, that is, in reference to the post-Columbian era. The West Indies have, since the initial period of colonisation provided goods and services for more advanced industrial entities. The very nature of our colonisation, that is, to exist as colonies of exploitation as opposed to colonies of settlement, demanded continued underdevelopment. The sad thing about it is that today, the multilateral financial institutions which provide resources to developing countries at concessional rates continue to use the GNP as a basis for judging our economic wherewithal. The present situation in regard to my country provides a most germaine example.

The envoys of Antigua and Barbuda are basking in their glory because of the high ranking the country received in the 1998 Human Development Report. The laudations and accommodations received have been profuse, but this very factor provides the absurd analogy that we are more developed than Mexico and Brazil. Antigua and Barbuda is deemed to be middle income, and its numerous vulnerabilities are being ignored as the GNP is the deciding factor. Our challenge is to convince international agencies that we should be on the priority list for development loans and assistance. Antigua and Barbuda along with other Caribbean countries have demonstrated how developing countries can use their limited resources for the advancement of their populations. We should not be penalised for progress.



Mr President

Small Island Developing States are constantly and continually at risk, whether through sea-level rise, hurricanes, earthquakes or volcanic eruption as has been the case with the Emerald Isle of Montserrat. A single hurricane can put back our development for some ten years. For ourselves we have put out a plea for international assistance, as for the third time in three years we have been afflicted by a hurricane. Until the passage of Hurricane Georges, our country had been advancing because of the prudent and experienced management for which we are known. We had built a network of superb roads, improved our telecommunications system, tourism had re-established itself after the powerful Hurricane Luis of 1995, new buildings including schools were being erected, and our economy was on a course for eight percent growth by year end. This of course duly manifest the absurdity of the GNP as a basis for eliminating us for concessional loans. Presently we have to be asking our friends and well-wishers for assistance.


Mr. President

This year we celebrated the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Universal Declaration Human Rights. My country will continue to focus on efforts to ensure that the protection of human rights is integrated in all activities of the United Nations system. We view seriously, the many reports of child abuse worldwide. We are concerned with children affected by internecine warfare, and the now rampant tales of child labour, child prostitution and child pornography. Additionally we will remain vigilant in seeing to the mainstreaming of women's concerns. Overall, my country will be exercising efforts to see to the furtherance of efforts to strengthen the human rights programme.


Mr. President

In approaching the twenty-first century, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda has decided that it should focus on human capital and its development, rather than to focus narrowly on the economic question. There will be a continuance of the policy of carrying out intense investigations and feasibility studies to decide on where to concentrate limited resources. In addition, even though the Government is divesting some of its holdings, and encouraging greater private investment in vital services and commodities, there are some areas, particularly those surrounding technology, in which the Government has to remain directly involved and catalytic; and will continue with its practice of seeking consensus on determining key industries and activities crucial and critical for development.

In concluding, a statement has to be made in regard of our appreciation for the work done by the United Nations Development Programme in the Caribbean, and particular thanks have to be expressed for its work in economic management and governance initiatives. We will continue to pride and cherish the United Nations, as we recognise its capacity for achievements in areas beyond the reach of national or regional authorities. Subsequently, the nations which comprise this August body, must redouble their collective commitment for translating vision into reality. That is why it is essential to have international cooperation for development in the forefront of our activities. The United Nations is still our greatest hope for peace, development and social justice.

I THANK YOU