CARI COMMENTARY
CARICOM..THE MONITOR
04 4th, 2008EDITORIAL - Caricom’s call on Zimbabwe
published: Friday | April 4, 2008
When Caribbean Community (Caricom) leaders meet in Port-of- Spain today, their first order of business, even before addressing the topic for which they are gathered - crime and security in the region - should be urgently drafted messages to the key political players in Zimbabwe.
They should tell Robert Mugabe, the country’s president, that it is important that the electoral commission, as a matter of urgency, issue the remaining results of Zimbabwe’s parliamentary and presidential elections.
And like Kofi Annan, the former secretary general of the United Nations, they must make it clear to Mr Mugabe that the outcomes of the poll should be declared “faithfully and accurately”.
In other words, Mr Mugabe should be left in no doubt that any attempt to steal the presidency will not be tolerated; if he does he will find no friends in the Caribbean, nor will he be able to count on the sympathy of kith and kin, who remember the better days when he was leader of Zimbabwe’s black liberation struggle.
Yet, any message to Zimbabwe calling for political maturity cannot, or ought not to be addressed solely to Mr Mugabe. Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of the main opposition, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), should also be reminded of the dangers of any precipitous action by his party.
Mr Tsvangirai’s party, having in the two previous elections believed that the prize was stolen from it, has won most seats in the lower house this time. Indeed, opposition parties, even if by a slim majority, have prised control of the lower house from Mr Mugabe’s ZANU-PF after 28 years. It appears that a close race is on for the Senate. And Mr Tsvangirai is convinced, at least the MDC’s public statements suggest this, that he has edged out Mr Mugabe in the presidential race. They claim that he won 50.3 per cent of the votes.
In the circumstances, should the official count claim otherwise, even if it requires a run-off vote, there is the possibility of turmoil in Zimbabwe. Which is why we urge Caricom, and our own Prime Minister Bruce Golding, to press for restraint. Indeed, the Zimbabweans have, in the example of Kenya, the dangers of attempting to solve political problems with passion rather than reason and dialogue.
We would prefer that the Zimbabweans - in whose struggle against white-minority rule in what was Rhodesia, the Caribbean invested heavily - get it right now, rather than having to invite Mr Annan in as mediator.
An arithmetic gaffe by an MDC official, Tendai Beti, the party’s general secretary, may have unwittingly provided the basis for urging restraint by the Opposition. In declaring Mr Tsvangirai the clear winner of the presidential vote, Mr Beti gave numbers that suggested that his boss won a little over 49 per cent of the vote cast, rather than the more than 50 per cent he was claiming. Moreover, when his percentages for all the candidates in the race, including President Mugabe’s and Mr Tsvangirai’s, were added, they came to more than 102 per cent. This obviously raises questions about the certitude with which the MDC makes its declarations, even if it is clear that Mr Mugabe is in trouble.
It is unfortunate that Mr Mugabe has brought Zimbabwe to ruin and squandered his legacy. He should do it no worse.
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THE IDES OF MARCH
03 3rd, 2008The retail industry has been reporting miserable sales in the first quater of 2008; Firms have been quietly making staff redundant while others have soundly closed their doors. One plus one usually amounts to two so it is reasonable to assume that something has gone awry with the economy.
These effects are felt globally as I dont need to tell you how the dots connect.
Consumer spending has declined dramatically and many small businesses have been taking a direct hit in the gut while others struggle to stay afloat.
What can be done? Perhaps when question two has been answered and a Democratic President sits in the White House, perhaps the tides may change, if that does not happen then we will be told officially that there is indeed a recession - fasten your belts for this bumpy ride. (You mean a bumpier ride dont you Mr. President?)
My finally question - Who is responsible for speaking the truth? if there is such a person, please step forward for the market place is almost empty, a lean and hungry season lurks dagger in hand, The ides of March is upon us all.
We need a salve and a song, lest we all whisper “Et tu Brutus”
STANDING FIRM
02 5th, 2008Besides Global Warming, Super Bowl, Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton, the word Recession has been floating in the air as far back as 2004 but only now has found a podium to rest on.February 2008 will prove to be a very eventful month with unpredictable outcomes, but one thing is certain we will reap only as much as we sow.
This is evident with regards to Global warming and the ill effects it is having on our Earth, and inasmuch as we are now scurrying to become “Green” we will indubitably reap some of the consequences of not protecting our waters, forest and animals.
Niche Caribbean has pledged to do its part with regards to Global warming ,and you can read about our committment in our vision statement and philosophy at www.nichecaribbean.com.
Will there be a recession? Are we in a recession? This is presently the debate being raged in the financial world, and as the pundits declare and define, the world will not cease to turn. My point is that life will go on despite a recession, although there will be fall out from the historic election of a female or a black president.
But not to digress, Niche Caribbean located at 44 Lady Musgrave Road in Kingston is, and will continue to stand firm in its quest to aid the CARICOM develpoment, and provide goods and services made and tendered by Caribbean Basin members.
Since our inception we have enjoyed growth and success and encourage you to visit the showroom where you may purchase a piece of the Rain Forest.
Niche Caribbean welcomes a new staff member in the month of February-Miss Valrene Bennett our show room associate.
NICHE 2008
01 13th, 2008Niche Caribbean is a now an established Firm in Kingston Jamaica and it is with pride and satisfaction that the managers and staff look back at the past year’s achievements.
It is no small task to set up and run a successful business as most know, so I am satisfied with the accomplishments.
2008 is now the journey ahead. The pathways are visible and the Firms’ mission statement is indubitably our calling card as well as our agenda.
The Fiscal Pundits are crying in the Town Halls, the Generals are stomping in the battle fields and the Vatican is silent for the most part……as a people committed to change we have to take note of global events but press forward with a fervour to bring about the changes we envision.
We are the change..our ideas into action equals the change we seek.
I invite you to visit Niche Caribbean’s web site and read the mission statement page as well as the products page.
The Caribbean Basin is a place where we can establish a link with our sister Islands when we buy Caribbean goods made by Caribbean people, from products natural to the Basin. We need to establish a viable economic plan enabling us to weather the foul weather the Pundits are heralding.
Be Caribbean, Buy Caribbean, Build Caribbean. The three B’s in the Basin.
Happy New year..Rhys…
THE WINDS OF CHANGE
12 9th, 2007One word to describe the 21st century would be “Change”. 1961 to 2007 spans fortysix years of changes, which was not always progressive nor commendable; but in Jamaica, the fires of having a sustainable Single Economic Market in the Caribbean Basin was kept burning.
Niche Caribbean has come to take its position as a Firm committed to “give further visibility to a wider range of Caribbean products, essentially erasing the illusion of borders among sister Islands”
This statement is at the heart of the Firm’s philosophy as well the outspoken belief in Caribbean Integration. Niche is determined to take full advantage of the free movement of goods and services available in the CARICOM region, and stock a line of unique, modern and high quality products, running the gamut from furniture and art to services and experiences.
In the past month, the Firm has delivered on its promises by mounting two very successful and memorable Expositions in Kingston and Montego Bay.
The Caribbean must embrace integration as its ‘charriot’ to ride the Winds of Change across this new era.
Niche Caribbean has your style.
www.nichecaribbean.com
WE HAVE A MANDATE.
12 9th, 2007We are reminded very strongly by our leaders and the founding fathers of CARICOM, that we should “Integrate or Perish”. The over used cliche, “No man is an Island” is almost rhetorical in this sense…but I am certain you understand the sentiment I am trying to capture and embolden toward this vision. What does it mean for the Caribbean Community to commit to building a successful trade relation?- Wealth. Wealth of a Nation, a Legacy for history to record, and the rebirth of a Race. Its time to turn our backs collectively on the scars of the Middle passage. Forget we mustnt, but like the Phoenix we must rise from the ashes and take our places at the global “Round Table” in a manner of speaking. Together we can take Excalibur from the stone.
Niche Caribbean ended the second leg of its Expo on October 21st in Montego Bay. Naturally it was a very different experience from the Kingston Expo, but overall success was recorded. The formidable team of administrators that the Firm engaged in this venture, delivered to the Kingston and Montego Bay venues goods that the consuming public can, and should be proud to own…..
Our first of many show rooms is open for business at 44 Lady Musgrave road, Kingston 10, Jamaica West Indies. Looking forward to your participation as together we can make CARICOM a viable concern to benefit the Caribbean people.
Lets build!!!
NURTURING AN IDEA
12 9th, 2007Niche Caribbean’s mounted two weekends Expos with great success. Like writing a book, things begin at first as an adventure or idea and then evolves as master or tyrant; it takes over, so it is with a business.
Wonderful ideas become outward tangible expressions of beautiful things.—–The many beautiful furniture exhibits at Niche’s Expo, were all an outward expression of the Firms’ committment to Service, a committment to the Caribbean Community, and the bigger ideal of a single economic market across the Caribbean Basin.
Globalization is the current catch word or theme today, but integration based on the theory of “Concentric Circles” to form a closer relationship with our immediate neighbours, will indubitably implant Jamaica and the Caricom countries more securely on the global platform, if we take this approach.
We have come a long way since this seminal principle was proposed in 1961- Now is the time to establish our place in the economic global arena.
One of Jamaica’s illustrious champions of culture and indentity–the Honourable Louise Bennett-Coverly, quite succinctly declared-”One hand cyann clap” We must unify our efforts across the Caribbean with a view for survival as a region and as people of colour. We must take lessons from our middle passage and years of captivity and undergird our determination to make Caricom work.
Niche Caribbean is a pioneer for this ideal. The Firm trusts that as you partner with ‘Niche’ in goodwill and determination, that other great ideas will come to life for the common goal of the Caribbean.
“Find Your Style.”
A SINGLE IDEA… A UNIFIED CARIBBEAN..
12 9th, 2007
NICHE NEWS
12 7th, 2007Niche Caribbean has opened for business at 44 Lady Musgrave Road, Kingston 10-Jamaica West Indies.
We make bold to say that we are pioneers in this industry, not as sellers of furniture, but for quality furniture made from natural products from the Guyanese rain forest, without having to destroy the ecosystem.
Our website has extensive information on the harvesting of these products as well as how the furniture is manufactured.
Niche Caribbean will be offering other goods and services from the Caribbean Basin as we move forward with the idea of Caribbean Integration.
