Ugandan Political Economist Yash Tandon Calls For Moratorium On Negotiations Between African Countries and the European Union (EU)

Yash Tandon: African countries should first create their own regional common market before opening to the EU and others/IPSnews

Former Prime Minister Owen Arthur some say sacrificed his government because of the disproportionate amount of time he spent during his last term dealing with CSME and EPA matters. Barbados and the other members of Cariforum despite concerns raised by NGOs and others about the implications of signing-off on the EPA moved forward anyway.

Earlier this month respected Ugandan political economist Yash Tandon issued the following comment, the current course of the talks on economic partnership agreements (EPAs) is particularly destructive for low income African countries and may contract democratic space in such countries even further.

We hope the local and regional media will follow-up on the news breaking yesterday which supports Tandon’s position. This is important in light of the Canada EPA currently under negotiation. The following is a summary of the EPA seminar held earlier today in Brussels, Belgium facilitated by BU family member ROK, Head of BANGO:

Note the following represents note taking by the ACP Civil Society representative in Brussels whose first language is Dutch.

Chairman Of Sanitation Service Authority Dr. Don Marshall Clears The Air

SSA Chairman Dr.Don Marshall

Coming out of the recent Sanitation Service Authority (SSA) conflict with the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW), and the debacle involving the termination and reappointment of General Manager Stanton Alleyne, some not so favourable comments were directed towards Chairman Don Marshall. Also in our blog post of yesterday, BU published an item which placed Chairman Marshall in a less than favourable light. BU is appreciative to Chairman Marshall for coming to the blogosphere to clarify matters. We must warn him that discussion can get robust at times but we wish to assure him that he will get a fair hearing whenever he feels motivated to come to Barbados Underground.

On another note we would entreat Dr. Marshall given his prominent role in the CARIFORUM/EPA negotiation, to submit his unfettered opinion to BU on the subject. We have made this simple request because we believe that the matter has been presented to the PEOPLE of Barbados and the region as a highly technical matter. Can we rely on you Doctor to bring this matter to the blogosphere framed in a manner which shows relevance to a national, regional and global strategy?

Here is Chairman’s Marshall clear the air statement posted on BU today: