AS October 15 draws near the debate on the Economic Partnership Agreement is intensifying. In Guyana many persons are proclaiming to be experts in international trade agreements after reading the agreement.

In their efforts to oppose President Jagdeo’s position on the Agreement the opposition political parties have condemned his arguments. They have failed to hear other experienced Regional negotiators and Academics, in the persons of Sir Shridath Ramphal, Sir Ron Saunders, Dr Clive Thomas and Professor Norman Girvan to name a few.

The objections to the EPA are not a creation in the mind of Bharrat Jagdeo as it is being peddled in some sections of the media. Over five hundred academics and trade unionists in the region signed a petition calling on the regional Leaders to reconsider signing the agreement. Do they not count?

We in Guyana do not operate in isolation; this agreement will have serious repercussions on the future development of the Caribbean Region. When the adverse conditions begin to affect on country, the ripple effect would hurt the entire Region. We need to stand together as we have done in the past.
EDWARD SIMON