THE ASSUMPTION OF ANTIGUA'S PRIME MINISTER TO THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE OECS WILL POLARIZE THE STATES OF THE REGION, AND FURTHER ISOLATE THEM FROM THE UNITED STATES, WITH CONSEQUENCES

Uncle Sam gazes towards the Peoples' Republic

This week, Antigua's Prime Minister, GASTON BROWNE, became Chairman of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States. Browne, whose very public pro-China political stance has alienated his two island nation from the current American administration, and who has now called for creating a united front for the countries of the region, including " championing the interests of Small Island Developing States," which the U.S. has interpreted as moving the OECS Members closer to China and Cuba, both totalitarian states whose political systems oppose the democratic principles that both America, and the EC jurisdictions themselves, espouse.

Browne is rapidly pushing Antigua towards an even closer economic, social, political and linguistic relationship with China, whose increasing influence in the Caribbean represents a national security threat to the United States. This will eventually result in the imposition of additional hardships upon Antiguans, who already are extremely unhappy with the loss of visa privileges. Any pro-China political moves by Browne, in his capacity as OECS Chairman, will be seen as dangerous by the American Government, and will most likely have unintended consequences for individuals Antiguans.

If Antigua's government doesn't change its ways, things are likely to get ugly as the expected American actions against the regime in Cuba, could effect Antigua, as well as the rest of the OECS Members who have chosen China and Cuba over democracy. Remember, it was US Secretary of State John Quincy Adams (later President) who created the Monroe Doctrine of 1823, and the present holder of that office, Marco Rubio, has clearly stated that he intends to enforce it. It would be folly for Antigua to underestimate him.