TRINIDAD and Tobago's Prime Minister Patrick Manning is scheduled leave Kingston for Haiti this morning, after overnighting in Jamaica where he discussed the implications of his country's proposed political union with three smaller Caribbean Community (Caricom) states.

A Jamaica House press advisory yesterday invited only photo coverage of a meeting between Manning and Prime Minister Bruce Golding at Jamaica House in the evening. But, while the advisory stated that the two leaders would discuss the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Europe, it was evident that the crucial issue was the proposed political union.

Trinidadian newspapers reported yesterday that Manning had taken off on a "whirlwind tour of the Caribbean" in which he was scheduled to visit five countries, including Jamaica, where he would overnight, travelling approximately 6,000 miles in 36 hours.

The tour was scheduled to include the Bahamas, Belize and Suriname, as well, to discuss the proposed union. Manning is due to return to Port-of-Spain this evening.

On August 14, Trinidad and Tobago signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with three other Caricom countries - St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia, and Grenada - indicating their intent to establish a political union by 2013.

It was also confirmed that Manning would meet with the leaders of Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts, and Montserrat last Wednesday to discuss those initiatives.

But while Golding's administration has remained committed to the goal of a Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME), it has raised concerns about Manning's attempt to orchestrate a political union within Caricom, without discussions at the level of the Heads of Government within the regional unit.

Last Monday, Jamaica House warned that the proposals would have implications for the structure and future of the regional union.

Jamaica said it would request discussions on the issue among regional Heads of Government, at which point it would evaluate its position on the issue.

However, Manning continues to enjoy strong support from Ralph Gonsalves of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Stephenson King of St Lucia and Tillman Thomas of Grenada.

It is understood that a key aspect of the proposed political union is an oil and gas exploration policy.

There was concern, however, how a proposed common regime for the procurement of fossil fuels for energy and transportation by the members of the proposed union would sit with the current PetroCaribe agreement with Venezuela, which involves 13 Caricom countries.

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