KINGSTON, Jamaica—Jamaica stands in solidarity with the Cuban people but will not pursue a narrow foreign policy agenda that is rooted in the past and inimical to Jamaica’s development, says Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness.

Holness spoke to the issue on Sunday while addressing the 83rd annual conference of the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in Montego Bay, St James.

“We stand in solidarity with the people of Cuba. We want our brothers and sisters there to enjoy the political and economic freedoms that we have here,” said Holness.

He added that Jamaica continues to cooperate with the Government of Cuba, “and we welcome their skilled professionals to our healthcare and education and other systems in Jamaica”.

“We welcome them to work in Jamaica in keeping with Jamaican and international law,” said Holness while noting that this is similar to arrangements that the Jamaican Government has with Ghana and Nigeria, “for their professionals to come and work in our health systems and our economy generally, on terms that respect the rights of their workers, in accordance with our laws”.

Holness told the conference that the general anchor of the Government’s foreign policy was clearly stated by founder of the JLP, Sir Alexander Bustamante.

Bustamante had declared that: “We [Jamaica] are with the West”. Holness explained that at the time that statement was made, it meant Jamaica’s vote [in international forums] would seek to: “uphold liberal democracy, human rights, promotion of free markets, freedom of political and religious beliefs, respect for international law, sovereign equality, territorial integrity, and the peaceful resolution of disputes”.

He said Jamaica’s foreign policy today continues these underpinnings, “combining principled diplomacy with the practical, primary pursuit of our national development interests”.

In this regard, the prime minister said Jamaica places sovereignty, security, economic independence and the wellbeing of Jamaicans “at the centre of all that we do”.

He took a swipe at the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP), questioning “whose interests are they representing?”

The PNP has recently taken issue with the Government’s decision to abstain from a United Nations vote calling for the end of the United States embargo against Cuba. The abstention came the day after the Jamaican Parliament debated and approved the motion calling for the lifting of the embargo. That debate has taken place every year for more than 30 years and always received bipartisan support.

But, Holness said his Administration believes that “constructive dialogue between the United States and Cuba and greater reforms in Cuba will provide the only practical path to resolve the longstanding economic isolation of Cuba and avoid conflict in the region”.

The Opposition has also taken issue with the Government’s decision to curtail the Cuban medical programme which saw large numbers of Cuban doctors and nurses coming to work in Jamaica for decades.

Holness said Jamaica supports a strong multilateral system that protects the voice of small states. But, he insisted that, “under my leadership, Jamaica will never be co-opted in any single ideological agenda or grouping or be drawn into unnecessary conflicts or mindless support of outdated rhetoric”.

The prime minister said foreign policy for the Jamaican people must have practical meaning. He said, “It must help our producers reach overseas markets, it must attract investments that create decent jobs, it must secure partnerships that build out strong infrastructure …it must give us the ability to stop illegal guns and combat organised crime and protect our borders, it must help us access new technology, strengthen our education system and build resilience. It must protect Jamaicans abroad and create opportunities for our Diaspora to invest their knowledge, experience and resources at home”.

Holness said the needs of Jamaicans will govern the Government’s choices.

-Lynford Simpson