Caribbean Report 13-06-1990

Abstract

Mexico is commencing negotiations with Washington on a free trade agreement and such an arrangement could have far-reaching implications for the Caribbean region. The Director of the Caribbean Basin Division states that the Caribbean is not ready to be part of this union and needs to aggressively explore dismantling the trade and investment barriers, and focus on regional integration. Secondly, the Bauxite mining operations in the Surinamese town of Moengo remains suspended after the Jungle Commando rebel group seized the town last week and the army responded by closing the roads to SURALCO mines and disconnecting telephone lines. Following the Financial News, the Cuban Foreign Minister visited Guyana and pledged continuing medical assistance to the country. The report concludes with the marking of the death of Guyanese Dr. Walter Rodney, Historian, Political Activist and co-founder of the Working People’s Alliance, who died in a car bomb ten years ago. The WPA alleges that Dr. Rodney was killed as he led a mass movement to overthrow the ruling PNC. Donald Rodney comments on the life and death of his brother and the segment ends with a musical tribute by Linton Kwesi Johnson.