Foreign Policy Blunder

By Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe
January 02, 2018

Dr. Selwyn R. CudjoeOnce I read our government had abstained on the United Nation’s resolution to condemn the United States decision to anoint Jerusalem as Israel’s capital I raced to the Tunapuna cemetery to reacquaint myself with the words on C. L. R. James’s gravestone, which read: “Time would pass, old empires would fall and new ones take their place, the relations of countries and the relations of classes had to change, before I discovered that it is not quality of goods and utility which matter, but movement; not where you are or what you have, but where you have come from, where you are going and the rate at which you are getting there” (Beyond a Boundary).

As I read the epitaph, I could not help but think of the caliber of men and women who constructed the PNM and the close collaboration of James and Williams as they sought to set our nation along a solid path of decency and self-respect. Such was Dr. Williams’s respect for his people that he had the guts to stand up to Uncle Sam (at the threat of possible assassination) when we needed Chaguaramas for the capital of an independent West Indian federation. Even George Chambers, our second prime minister who we vilified as being “duncy,” opposed the US invasion of Grenada. He recognized that our being a sovereign nation called upon us to take a principled position even when faced with the threats of the United States.

My thoughts went back to James because he was an internationalist who, like Williams, understood that one’s foreign policy is only an extension of one’s national policy. It follows necessarily that if one’s national policy is in shambles its foreign policy may well follow a similar trajectory. While our government’s abstention may have been construed as a reasonable position I wanted to know why it voted that way.

My disappointment came when I read the government’s incoherent rambling of what was offered as a rationale for its position. It stated that Trinidad and Tobago’s position has always been “to support steadfast recognition of the state of Israel with secure territorial borders as well as establishment of a Palestinian state.”

So far, so good.

It continued: “We would wish to see the United States play a major role in bringing this about by preserving its position as an influential broker in all negotiations which would have peace and security as its primary objective.” This leaves one to ask how the US could maintain its position as an “influential broker” when its pronouncement shows it to be on the Israeli side. Mark Landler commented: “While evangelicals or some hardline, pro-Israeli American Jews exulted, the Palestinians seethed—leaving Mr. Trump’s dreams of brokering a peace accord between them and the Israelis in tatters” (New York Times, December 29).

When President Donald Trump, in defiance of most of the sovereign states of the world, unilaterally recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, he violated prior UN resolutions that recognized east Jerusalem as occupied territory. One observer noted that “as recently as December 2016 the UN Security Council resolution 2334 stated that the expansion of Israeli settlements in east Jerusalem and other parts of Palestinian territory occupied since 1967 are a flagrant violation of international law” (trinicenter.com). Neither President Trump nor Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli prime minister, forgave the US (and President Obama by inference) for not voting against this resolution.

While some observers recognize Jerusalem as the de facto capital of Israel, many astute observers believe that the fate of Jerusalem should be worked out in a final resolution of the two-state solution which our government sees as a just resolution to this international problem. However, once the US came out in Israel’s favor it forfeited its role as an honest broker thereby preventing it from acting in the way the T&T government hoped it would act.

It might be that our government felt it would pay a high price if it defied the wishes of the US government, and there is a place in foreign policy for those kinds of decisions. Our government might even have felt that under the circumstances caution was the better part of valor. Yet, I do not think that our present government puts as much thought into these decisions as they ought to. The present cabinet does not possess the necessary brain power and/or experience to arrive at foreign policy decisions that are in the best interest of the state. Recent foreign policy appointments, the low profile of the foreign minister and the erasure of his voice in the articulation of our foreign policy indicate the little importance we place in this aspect of our affairs.

As I meditated upon James’s injunction, I observed an equally judicious epitaph nearby. It was on John Morton’s tombstone. Morton was a Canadian missionary to the East Indians from 1867 to 1912. The epitaph read: “He being dead yet speaketh.” I suspect that he intended to tell us that our sages have some truths they wish to convey to us. In my words, “Listen up! It’s not how fast we are going but our ability to think through what we want to achieve as a nation.”

We should listen to these words of wisdom?

28 thoughts on “Foreign Policy Blunder”

  1. I am reading here, “Israel: African migrants told to leave or face imprisonment.”

    http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-42541515

    Africans being ‘captured and enslaved’ on their way to Europe.
    The wealthiest continent on the face of the planet, WITH it’s CITIZENS on the RUN.

    Yet, there is an influx of people coming to Africa, Chinese in Ghana and Indians in Nigeria for example.

    I think these are more critical issues that Africans and African Caribbean governments should place on the United Nation table..

    Buh wait nah… Last time I read about Nigerians and India, they were being beaten on the streets of India..

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5TJCcMXrn4&feature=share

    1. Trump decries immigrants from ‘shithole countries’ coming to US

      Washington (CNN)President Donald Trump expressed frustration behind closed doors with people coming to the US from “shithole countries,” sources told CNN on Thursday.
      One of the sources briefed on the Thursday Oval Office meeting with lawmakers confirmed Trump asked, “Why do we want all these people from ‘shithole countries’ coming here?”

      http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/11/politics/immigrants-shithole-countries-trump/index.html

      And Nigroes are still stuck on Isreal and other peoples’ issues.
      Nigroes don’t want Affirmative Action in T&T to secure a future for African Trinbagonians there.
      Nigroes needs to wake up and smell the tou tou in the doubles..

  2. I usually don’t agree with this government but I agreed with their policy on Israel. Trinidad has since the Abu Bakr coup attempt been blighted by the unrelenting visage of “Allah’s sword”. So much so that over 400 citizens ventured to Syria many never returned, some used in ISIS propaganda video. In the Western world Trinidad earn the unenviable position as the highest number of Jihadist per capita. A frightening statistic that caught the attention of Washington DC.

    It made sense then to side with Washington given the incredible amount of American investments in Trinidad. And perhaps to make amends to the blighted image of jihadist touting nation.

    But how does all of this tie into the American move to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The truth is America has a strongly pro Israeli President. His daughter is married to a Jewish man and she holds considerable sway over his thinking. She is a convert to Judhaism. When he said he will penalize those who did not support him, it must be taken seriously.

    In a world that is ever changing and the sphere of relationships shifting, Trinidad must not fall victim to false bravado. When the Cubans came to Grenada, started work on expanding their airport runway. The target was an invasion of TNT on Christmas Day. It was Eugenia Charles and Ronald Reagan who liberated Grenada. Prime Minister George Chambers took a “principle stand” and did nothing as the army just retreated into sick days. And Tetron was virtually empty.

    It is only America who will come to our defence should the rising Jihadist choose to attack in the future. It is a fact that nations such as Venezuela, where people are starving to death has maintained an anti American stance to their detriment. A nation must know it’s friends and enemies…that nation would be stupid to take their friends for granted…. Fair weather friendships on exist in the mind of the silly.

    1. People were condemning Beetham residents recently, but this response is no different to that of many in depressed communities.

      I usually don’t agree with this government but I agreed with their policy on Israel. Trinidad has since the Abu Bakr coup attempt been blighted by the unrelenting visage of “Allah’s sword”. So much so that over 400 citizens ventured to Syria many never returned, some used in ISIS propaganda video. In the Western world Trinidad earn the unenviable position as the highest number of Jihadist per capita. A frightening statistic that caught the attention of Washington DC.

      It made sense then to side with Washington given the incredible amount of American investments in Trinidad. And perhaps to make amends to the blighted image of jihadist touting nation.

      The US is not an innocent victim of the aggression of others. Because the US has much investments in the country the government and public should unconditionally support them? We all should give up our freedom to evaluate situations and take principled positions? That seems like the same arguments of those who defend gang leaders who invest in their communities.

      But how does all of this tie into the American move to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The truth is America has a strongly pro Israeli President. His daughter is married to a Jewish man and she holds considerable sway over his thinking. She is a convert to Judhaism. When he said he will penalize those who did not support him, it must be taken seriously.

      By this logic, those who are related to gang leaders should be expected to support them. If the gang leader threatens those who do not support him, we must take that seriously, of course. This seems to be the fate of many in gang communities and the reason they do not report crimes to the police.

      In a world that is ever changing and the sphere of relationships shifting, Trinidad must not fall victim to false bravado. When the Cubans came to Grenada, started work on expanding their airport runway. The target was an invasion of TNT on Christmas Day. It was Eugenia Charles and Ronald Reagan who liberated Grenada. Prime Minister George Chambers took a “principle stand” and did nothing as the army just retreated into sick days. And Tetron was virtually empty.

      Let us not dwell on distortions for now. I would not call it false bravado to say no to the US even if one cannot back that up with brute force. But then again those in gang communities share your view.

      It is only America who will come to our defence should the rising Jihadist choose to attack in the future. It is a fact that nations such as Venezuela, where people are starving to death has maintained an anti American stance to their detriment. A nation must know it’s friends and enemies…that nation would be stupid to take their friends for granted…. Fair weather friendships on exist in the mind of the silly.

      This reads like something a defender of gang activities would say. The gang leaders would come to the defence of members of their community if they face threats from other gang members and even the police.

      By your logic, people in depressed communities should support their gang leaders.

  3. Why a two state solution is not possible? The PalestinianS under Hamas resolved that the destruction of Israel is their ultimate goal. It is this type of thinking that will not allow for a two state peaceful solution.

    There has been many peace intiatives for decades. Camp David under the astute negotiator Jimmy Carter was not able to find a solution. In 1967 Israel conquered more land than ever in a six day war. They conquered the Sinai Peninsula, during peace negotiations with Egypt under Anwar Sadath, Yaser Arafat was offered the Sinai peninsula a massive area of land. He flatly refused. He wanted Jerusalem and will not budge.

    President Trump is mauling the idea of cutting off millions of dollars in aid to the Palestinians. They continue to lose ground but for the support of Europe and others.

    Jerusalem for the Jews is the center of Judhaism. 1000 BC King David entered Jerusalem drove the Jebusites out and established Jerusalem as their eternal capital. His son Solomon built the first temple and dedicated it there. The temple was destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar. It was rebuilt by those who left Persia under Nehemiah. Fast forward to 70 AD when it was destroyed by a drunken Roman soldier who burnt it to the ground. General Titus would have preferred if it was not destroyed.

    The Jewish zealot already have prepared a prefab temple, 120 trained temple priest, temple garments, and enough money to build in a very short time. Only problem is the Mosque of Omar sits right on the spot…..

  4. One should try to discuss with an unlettered person, but never argue, in so doing, you too would become inept. By now, we all should come to the conclusion, that MAMMOO, is an unlettered commentator, the major problem, he has access to distort, and that’s a dangerous thing. An ignorant man with means is a corrupt to the core individual, occupying a space, hidden and nameless, a very devious scumbag.Jimmy Carter the POTUS,Arafat and Begin did sign the Camp David agreement, only for Begin to be Murdered by a European, who calls himself an Israeli. People of MAMOO’ kind who have been elevated to represent and become part of Emperium, are in most cases more murderous than their masters e.g Obama, Powell the present Indian woman Haley, the US UN ambassador. MAMOO, comes from a long line in his heritage, that sees nothing wrong with the oppressor, as long as he benefits financially. Does MAMOO knows anything of ZIONISM or the part it played in the founding of the European and USA funded Apartheid state? MAMOO, continues to quote the Bible, does he know that this book was coded only 1500yrs ago? he moves on in life being mis-educated and ignorant, while certain parts of the world continues to be conditioned by the created European religions e.g Judaism, Christianity and Islam, blood and conquest goes on unabatingly. MAMOO. knows nothing of History or Internationalism, but a Zealot Distorter, most of his kind are very SICK, both Mentally, Physically and always Spiritually dead, MAMOO, is the walking dead ascribe too in the Bible.I had my say, in a previous comment vis=a-vis Trinidad’ UN vote, but MAMOO’ comment must never be left unanswered, to much is at stake, comments like his must and should be refuted and rebuked forcibly when ever printed, we must continue to eradicate the POISONS of any kind, that condemns Trinidad to what it is presently.

    1. The blasted Arabs own 96.4% of the Middle East, yet they conned people like you and Cudjoe into believing the Jews are taking their land. The .6% of land that the Jews live on is the envy of these people. It is the only thing that unite these people all 1.3 billion of them versus 13 million Jews (5 million in Israel).

      The Palestinians could easily relocate to Saudia where they came from. Just as Jews from all over the world returns to Israel. From Russia, India, Ethiopia etc.

      1. Besides the fact that this comment is nonsense, let me add a bit of another history for consideration.

        Idi Amin — the man they love to hate

        Why did Indians and others not accept that most of those who were expelled from Uganda were nationals or citizens of India and British? Who owns most of the land in India? Why did Indians not simply relocate?

        The indigenous people of Palestine and northern Africa/’Middle East’ are Africans, then others came. Start from here then do some research. But, back to Indians and Uganda.

        EXTRACT:

        In early August 1972, the President of Uganda, Idi Amin, ordered the expulsion of his country’s Asian minority, giving them 90 days to leave the country. At the time of the expulsion, there were approximately 80,000 individuals of South Asian descent in Uganda, of whom 23,000 had had their applications for citizenship both processed and accepted. Although the latter were ultimately exempted from the expulsion, many chose to leave voluntarily. The expulsion took place against a backdrop of Indophobia in Uganda, with Amin accusing a minority of the Asian population of disloyalty, non-integration and commercial malpractice, claims Indian leaders disputed. Amin defended the expulsion by arguing that he was giving Uganda back to the ethnic Ugandan.

        The presence of South Asians in Uganda was the result of deliberate choices by the British administration (1894–1962).[4] They were brought to the Uganda Protectorate by the British to “serve as a buffer between Europeans and Africans in the middle rungs of commerce and administration”. In addition, in the 1890s, 32,000 labourers from British India were brought to Southeast Africa under indentured labour contracts to work on the construction of the Uganda Railway. Most of the surviving Indians returned home, but 6,724 individuals decided to remain in the African Great Lakes after the line’s completion. At the time of the expulsion, there were approximately 80,000 individuals of South Asian descent in Uganda, of whom 23,000 had had their applications for citizenship both processed and accepted. A further 50,000 were British passport holders, though Amin himself used the apparently exaggerated figure of 80,000 British passport holders in his initial expulsion speech.

        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expulsion_of_Asians_from_Uganda

        “Why Idi Amin Expelled The Asians”

        EXTRACT:

        Colonial Uganda had strongly favoured Asians. Many arrived with the British colonialists to do clerical work or semi-skilled manual labour in farming and construction. They had a salary, which became the capital to start businesses.

        Aspiring Ugandan entrepreneurs on the other hand faced many odds. The British colonial government forbade Africans to gin and market cotton. In 1932 when the Uganda Cotton Society tried to obtain high prices by ginning and marketing its own cotton and “eliminate the Indian middleman,” it was not allowed.

        The banks – Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, and Standard Bank of South Africa – did not lend to many Africans. As such, the Africans could not participate in wholesale trade because the colonial government issued wholesale licenses only to traders with permanent buildings of stone or concrete. Very few African traders had such buildings. It was clear that the colonial wanted native Ugandans to remain hewers of wood and drawers of water.

        By 1959, when a trade boycott of all foreign-owned stores was pronounced by Augustine Kamya of the Uganda National Movement, Africans handled less than 10% of national trade. Ambassador Paul Etiang served as Amin’s minister for five years. He was the permanent secretary at the ministry of foreign affairs in 1972. In an interview with New African, he explained that the expulsion came about partly because of the racial segregation inherited from Uganda’s past.

        British apartheid

        Up till independence in 1962, there was an unwritten but trusted social order in the colonial administration where Europeans were regarded as first class, Asians as second class, and Africans as third class.

        For example, in trains there was a first class coach for Europeans and a few Asians, and there were coaches for Asians, and coaches for Africans. Apartheid did not start in South Africa or the US; it started with the “mother country”, Great Britain.

        The same order prevailed with other facilities such as toilets. The segregation was not supported by law but it was observed in practice. Africans were not expected to go to the Imperial Hotel (The Grand Imperial Hotel in downtown Kampala). There was a sign outside the hotel that stayed there until 1952. It read: “Africans and dogs not allowed”. The waiters were Asians.

        “Come independence in 1962,” Ambassador Etiang explains, “one significant provision in the independence constitution was an article which stated that those people who were not Ugandans as at Uganda’s independence on 9 October 1962, had two years to make up their minds, whether to become citizens of the new Uganda or adopt the status of British-protected persons, in which case the latter would have a British passport.”

        Many Asians at the time applied for British citizenship but because business was good in Uganda with no competition from the locals, many did not leave.

        In 1969, Britain tabled a revised version of its Immigration Act, the Patriot’s Act. Commonwealth passport holders would need a visa to enter Britain. Britain was compelled to pass that Act as a condition for its entry into the European Economic Commission (EEC). Now, it was only citizens of member states of the EEC that had the right to travel to Britain without a visa.

        “Commonwealth members reacted to it very strongly,” Ambassador Etiang recalls. “This is what brought about the immigration discussion in Uganda.”

        The Ugandan government, then under President Milton Obote, started asking: “How do we deal with all these Asians? If Britain was making rules barring us from opportunities in Britain, then we also have the right to have our own rules to regulate those who are coming here.”

        That was when Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania realised that they needed their own Immigration Acts, and the first Immigration Acts were subsequent passed that year in reaction to the British Patriot’s Act. By 1971, the issue of Asians being Ugandans or not, remained unaddressed beyond the provision in the 1962 Constitution. “But this is what I believe triggered the expulsion under Amin,” says Ambassador Etiang.

        http://www.ugandandiasporanews.com/2014/10/16/the-new-african-why-idi-amin-expelled-the-asians/

        1. Good question, Unganda currently is welcoming back Indians because when Amin drove them away, the textile mills and clothing industry died. They employed a lot of Africans. I know of Indians from Tanzania, wealthy ones who left Tanzania and done very well elsewhere.

          The British under Margaret Thatcher saw the docile industrious nature of the Indians and accept a lot of them Britan so to did Canada.

          But the issue of Israel and the middle east, is an easily solvable situation. Many Islamic nations can gladly absorb 2 million Palestinians.

          1. It appears that you did not read anything or could not comprehend the information contained in extracts provided. Of course, many Indians could return after Amin was deposed. This is the pattern of behaviour of the colonizers if African leaders try to reverse their policies that disadvantage Africans. What happened in Zimbabwe is a good example of this. These African leaders are suddenly demonised, killed or overthrown in coup d’états which are financed by and weapons supplied by them. They then prop up some poor leader to carry out their anti-African agenda.

            The issue there was not about how many Africans were employed by Indians (with their superiority complex in an African country). This is much the same as trying to argue the benevolence of whites because they employ Africans in low paying jobs. The issue is what the British and their Indian co-conspirators did to deny Africans their right to self determination and to develop businesses and industries on their terms. They all wanted Africans to be kept in low paying jobs. They imported Indians as a buffer to Africans, much the same as they did in most of the British colonies, because, besides using Indians as scab labour, they were aware of the pro-White, racist nature of many Indians. This meant that Indians were less likely to join forces with Africans to force change. With the Indians as a buffer, they could continue to steal the wealth of nations.

            As the extract states, “The expulsion took place against a backdrop of Indophobia in Uganda, with Amin accusing a minority of the Asian population of disloyalty, non-integration and commercial malpractice, claims Indian leaders disputed.” Today, any informed person could consider Amin to be a prophet as we know these claims are generally true.

            If the issue of Israel and the Middle East is an easily solvable situation, then why have they not solved it? They are not going to solve it by placing the burden on the victims to accept relocation or for other nations to accept them without at least the victims being compensated. They can start by first returning lands that were stolen and compensating the victims of that theft and murder. Why should any people roll over and accept those injustices? Reparations is a way to start redressing and resolving this issue.

  5. “JUSTRIGHT” thanks for the high level of veracity, when IDI AMIN is revisited by history, we will see just how demonized his policies was portrayed by racist England and the USA.Our parents did not know of the polices that conditioned us presently, and certain groups who have and continue to benefit from these said conditions, are the stumbling blocks we have to step over. IDI AMIN, payed a heavy price vis-a-vis the Palestinian issue, the invasion of IRAELI and US support troops at ENTEBE, must never be forgotten in our discourses. Commentators like MAMOO and BALDEOSINGH, should be sent packing into a corner with their TATATA comments. The ethnic devisions presently experience in Trinidad, is England cultivated, and as can be seen,the same all over the land of my forefathers/mothers. Some of us, have even been relegated to nonfamilial beliefs because of not knowing. We must refuse to let people of lesser history, determine who we are.

  6. Slaves and Indentured labourers were brought to T&T by our colonialists. From 1962 to present one would think that we should be in charge and in control of all our administrative affairs at least locally. If we could do this as a nation then that would be a sign of a mature society seeking tangible goals equitably. I do agree with the author that one’s foreign policy is an extension of one’s national policy. Therefore, have we really matured?

    When I read the diatribe of the East African situation specifically Uganda, this is totally myopic especially when comparing Nyere’s, Kenyatta’s and Obote’s respective policies in seeking the interests of their people. Amin’s policy is racist.

    But then when you look at the US and Canada displacing the indigenous peoples from their lands and then to this date these people are referred to as lazy as espoused by a government official, how do you deal with such especially when NAFTA is due for re-negotiation.

    http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42583131

    That’s maturity. Canada, Dominica, Guyana, Barbados et al were able to stand up in the UN and put a conscionable vote forward. We do still have a lot of growing up despite the epitaphs we are reminded of our sons of the soil. James, Williams, Capildeo and many others were schooled in London and showed political maturity just as Obote was referred to go to the washroom for a glass of water by waiter in a New York restaurant. The greatness of men are shown how they can set aside their bitter experiences and move forward for a collective good.

    1. “Amin’s policy is racist.”

      The impoverishment of Africans on and off the continent by Europeans was based on racism. The Indians who were imported to Africa were usually poor low caste workers, but once they met Africans they held on to the caste notion of their superiority. This was further exacerbated by the colonisers’ deliberate efforts to disadvantage Africans while encouraging Indians. Any attempt by Africans to remedy these historical wrongs is called racist by the anti-African racists who believe that victims must just move on without redress. This is the same attitude many have towards the Palestinians.

      The greatness of a man or woman is measured by their efforts to get justice.

  7. Kwame Nkrumah taking the Queen’s hand and doing the fox trot on a dance floor in Ghana was ‘reversed superiority’. It is also interesting to view Nkrumah’s comment on the Indians to foster commerce in the continent.

    https://ca.images.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylt=A0LEViSM9VFaGQoA0ZUXFwx.;_ylu=X3oDMTByMjB0aG5zBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzYw
    –?p=Kwame+Nkrumah+and+the+Queen&fr=yhs-adk-adk_sbnt&hspart=adk&hsimp=yhs-adk_sbnt

    I believe we have experienced racism in some form or the other, I personally have but I resist the fact that gives me the right to reciprocate in kind. Personally, I succeeded in transforming these negatives into a positive. Mandela, Martin Luther King, Gandhi did just that by positive action which I do admire.

    I have witnessed Indians experiencing racism from the whites and also discriminating against their African counterparts. Most of us then tend to react to those injustices of historic proportion and get caught up in a nebulous cornucopia. When I was in England I was marching on behalf of the PLO in Leeds, Yorks. To my surprise I saw a fellow Palestinian (Jordanian) driving his Granada (license plate PVO 5 L) and he was literally laughing his head off at us echoing obnoxious sentiments. Did I let that deter me in my outlook for a just cause for the Palestinians? The lesson learnt, never take anyone on face value including colour of skin, texture of hair etc. but look and see what are their strengths and import it as your own through effort and constructive energy. The collective good is immeasurable.

    Regardless whatever spin is placed on the expulsion of East Indians from Uganda, it is racist. Have a look at the movie ‘The Man who knew Infinity’ who died at the age of 32 and that may resonate with our own son of the soil Capildeo who was also a mathematical genius (as well as a Lawyer, Physicist, Political Scientist, Linguist) died at the age of 50 and was never recognized by his country of birth. A Prophet is never recognized in his own kingdom. To this date I cannot understand why the PNM was so focused in tarnishing George Chambers as a dunce.

    1. Kwame Nkrumah choosing to do what he did does not mean that all Africans should accept the colonial anti-African structures without resistance. The Indians also felt entitled to be racist in Africa. Does this make them right? There is no history of Indians en masse supporting Africa’s call for independence and reparations. Mandela, became a darling of the West because he encouraged Africans to move on from historic and current colonial abuses without a sense of justice. Those who stole and killed were allowed to get off the hook. The lack of justice is the reason the situation has not changed for most South Africans. Gandhi was also a racist; he is no hero of mine and I do not accept his non-violent approach as the best form of protest. Violence should not be ruled out when the enemies are at your throat. If you want to use the name of Martin Luther King you should recognise that he also fought for justice, although not in a manner I like. More recognition should be given to people like Malcolm X and the Black Panthers. Without the Black Panthers and Malcolm X, the white powers would not have make King a hero for blacks. True progress cannot be achieved if everyone accepts your idea of just moving on. For the most part, outside of members of the Dalit community who consider themselves Black and are resisting racist Hindus, most Indians in Africa care nothing about the development of Africa. Africans are just a source of cheap labour and consumers for their businesses.

      To call African efforts to redress historical wrongs racist is equivalent to claiming that because someone stole another’s land and invited you to live on it, that you are now entitled to it and it must never be taken from you. That is the same attitude why the west fought to get Mugabe removed. Whites were brought to Zimbabwe, among other places, and were settled on stolen lands and they believe it is racist for Africans to reclaim their lands. How Amin tried to address these issues in Uganda may not have been the best approach, but I am not joining those who demonise him for trying, because as recent history in Zimbabwe shows, the colonising powers do not want redress for Africans.

      I expect the Palestinians would also be called racist for their efforts to obtain compensation or to retake lands which were stolen from them. Apparently, some people believe that they should simply accept the injustices and move on.

      1. The web we weave and choose to surround ourselves to justify causes of the past does not help to achieve individual and collective progress and integrating in a holistic movement. In other words thoughts precede actions and a mind cast in a non-progressive mode could never move forward. Dwelling in the past is not the solution but literally placing a millstone around your neck and being sunk to the depths of despair. Maybe that’s why we are considered copycats and stigmatized as idiots in the eyes of some international partners as one that does not and cannot manage oil wealth. Sad, when you think of it, we have so much to offer the world of sports, arts but lacking in the management skills and unified spirit. We are certainly excelling in crime.
        “… Yet, I do not think that our present government puts as much thought into these decisions as they ought to….” I concur with the author.

        1. I have shown that the fight for justice in Palestine and Africa have a similar trend. Those who benefit from theft of non-whites and those who believe they are somehow superior to others do not think that non-white victims should get redress. Non-white victims should just put up and shut up. They do not take this same position with the Israelis who make it their duty to remind all about their historical persecution. THEY are not accused of living in the past. The Israeli government has no problem using some of the same tactics that the Nazis used on Jews when they are dealing with Palestinians and other non-white people. It does not matter how much land is in the ‘Middle East’, no one has a right to steal from others.

  8. Loyal Trini how did PNM tarnished George Chambers as a dunce? In our crazy socalled republic, the charlatan(the calypsonian) is given almost full license to express himself, like the the joker or clown in the king’s court. If Chambers had ban the song, everybody would have called him Idi Amin. The masses loved it. Chambers did what he felt needed to be done at the time. Because money was not following for the masses, he was ridiculed. Is the we, the masses who tarnished George.

    1. No sir. The precipitous fall administered by NAR was preceded by ‘blows’ this man took from his inner circle. His support against the US for the invasion of Grenada, Was it acknowledged in music?

  9. It is funny where this blog goes. It starts with a discussion on a people whose numbers is .02% of world population living on a piece of land that is .06% of the Middle East. And somehow lands in Africa under the most vicious racist, people torturing regimes exist or existed.

    No folks none of it is relatable. 1.3 billion Indians live on this planet. The second highest after the Chinese in terms of global population. You need not worry about a few living or moving out of Africa.

    It was in the Guptha era when Jews facing persecution came to India. The Cochin Jews in Mumbai was afforded special protection by Emporer Gupta. He realise that they were a unique people. They managed to retain their culture and unique identity, perhaps one of the subset groups of the ten lost tribes of Israel.

    The history of Jewish persecution saw the whole sale massacre of millions in Germany as Hitler attempted to exterminate them. It was under this terrible cloud that the return to Palestine was became urgent. I remember looking at a documentary where a ship loaded with Jews came to the shores of Israel. They were not allowed to disembark by the British. Instead of setting sail to sea the occupants could be seen leaping off the ship to their death. It is as heartbreaking to watch this passion and love for ancestral homeland manifested in a last expression of ultimate return to the soil.

    The Jews has been the most persecuted people. Why? They have given the world the Bible, more Nobel prize winners than any other nation. And inventions in various strata of human existence that have enriched our lives. What has the Arabs given us…more suicide bombers.

  10. Oh MAMOO, you may not be a fool, but the things you put in print, surely makes you a BOOBOOLEE. your lack of knowing, have you spreading propaganda to yourself and all who dare to read. UGANDA, was the proposed site for the relocation of JEWS from Europe, not the Palestine, God have mysterious ways of doing his work, if you know what i mean, you said that JEWS have been the most persecuted, again, you continue to show gross disrespect to the African in general, and the ones in your midst in particular, i can’t blame you, first i must condemn your teachers, and yourself MAMOO, for not self educating. MAMOO, you did not mention any of the inventions, you claimed of the JEWS, with the exception of WEAPONS of MASS destruction, e.g chemical and ammunition, not much is known. You asked , what have the ARABS gave, again, MAMOO, i pity your darkness, remember, Europe was the last continent that emerge from darkness, the ARABS, played a great part in that, AlGBRA, ALCHEMY,and i can go on, but i’ll stop there at this point. In your unremitting attacks on ARABS, AFRICANS,and PALESTINIANS, i’m giving you your age in numbers of my peoples inventions. #1 air conditioner, 2 almanac 3 AUTO CUTOFF SWITCH 4 AUTO FISHING DEVICE 5 AUTO GEAR SHIFT 6 BABY BUGGY 7 BICYCLE FRAME 8 BLOOD PLASMA 9 CELL PHONE 10 CHAMBER COMMODE 11 CLOTHES DRYER 12 CURTAIN ROD 13 CURTAIN SUPPORT 14 DOOR NOB & AND STOP 15 DUST PAN 16 EGG BEATER 17 ELECTRIC BULB 18 ELEVATOR 19 EYE PROTECTOR 20 FIRE ESCAPE 21 FIRE EXTINGUISHER 22 FOLDING BED 23 FOUNTAIN PEN 24 FURNITURE CASTER 25 GAS MASK 26 GOLF TEE 27 GUITAR 28 HAIR BRUSH 29 HAND STAMP 30 HORSE SHOE 31 ICE CREAM SCOOPER 32 INSECT DESTROYER GUN 33 IRONING BOARD 34 LANTERN 35 LAWN MOWER 36 LAWN SPRINKLER 37 LEMON SQUEEZER 38 LOCK 39 LUBRICATING CUP 40 LUNCH PAIL 41 MAIL BOX 42 MOP 43 MOTOR 44 PEANUT BUTTER 45 PENCIL SHARPENER 46 PHONE TRANSMITTER 47 RECORD PLAYER 48 REFRIGERATOR 49 RIDDING SADDLES 5O ROLLIN PIN (ROTI) 51 SHAMPOO HEAD REST 52 SPARK PLUG 53 STETHOSCOPE 54 STOVE 55 STRAIGHTENING COMB 56 STREET SWEEPER 57 THERMOSTAT CONTROL 58 TRAFFIC LIGHT 59 TRICYCLE 60 TYPEWRITER. These are only a few of the Africans inventions, pass it on to your family, friends and and ethnic group. As i have said before, when ever you put TRASH in print, i personally will push back on you , i expect you to do the same to me.

  11. Oh dear, you should take some time off and read a book or two. I’ll post some links in case others care to research.

    “When Theodor Herzl began his quest to establish a homeland for the Jewish people, he sought out the support of the great powers to help achieve his goal. In 1903, Herzl turned to Great Britain and met with Joseph Chamberlain, the British colonial secretary and others high ranking officials who agreed in principle to Jewish settlement in East Africa.”
    http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-uganda-proposal-1903

    “In 1903, Herzl turned to Great Britain and met with Joseph Chamberlain, the British colonial secretary and others high ranking officials who agreed in principle to Jewish settlement in East Africa. At the Sixth Zionist Congress at Basel on August 26, 1903, Herzl proposed the British Uganda Program as a temporary refuge for Jews in Russia in immediate danger. By a vote of 295 to 178 it was decided to send an investigatory commission to examine the territory proposed (the Karamoja region in Northern Uganda).”
    https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1428141/britain-gifted-uganda-creation-israel-territory

    “Despite the fragmented and incomplete historical record, experts pretty much agree that some popular beliefs about Jewish history simply don’t hold up: there was no sudden expulsion of all Jews from Jerusalem in A.D. 70, for instance. What’s more, modern Jews owe their ancestry as much to converts from the first millennium and early Middle Ages as to the Jews of antiquity.” — Patricia Cohen
    http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/24/books/24jews.html

    Israel and Palestine Explained
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r1EmEni2Rw

    Conflict in Israel and Palestine: Crash Course World History 223
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wo2TLlMhiw

    Anyhow, Mamoo, you should have no problem when bandits steal a little from Indians who have plenty. I mean, it’s just a little of what they have. African people who are not aware of history have been guilted by Indian claims of racism and persecution at the hands of Africans. This deception really is about some Indians masking their racist history and intentions to continue exploiting Africans, just like Whites.

    1. I don’t understand your stealing analogy. Most of my black brethren are gainfully employed. I have moved over 10 times. I have no problem leaving a piece of land to live in peace. I came from that kind of environment where I almost lost my life or kill another person over land. I can’t tell you how close my family came to being wiped out for land, but for the intervention of my Creator. In one instance the young man had a cutlass as he came charging down the hill his younger brother living 1/2 mile away jumped from the roof of his house and ran as fast as he could to stand between my family and his brother, reaching in the “nick” of time. He would have wiped us out over this stupid land business. There were other instances but this was certain had his brother not intervene. Forget about the lazy azz police they would have only come if we were killed. Numerous reports in the station went unanswered.

      It is in that context I think the Palestinians could be easily absorbed into Arabia or other parts of the massive Islamic world, a world were Jewish communities had to flee. As an example the Jewish settlement in Lybia and other Islamic nations. But that would not happen because it is not in the Muslim DNA to have peace with Israel. Since the founder of that religion chopped off the heads of 800 Jewish men living in Medina.

  12. President Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the de facto capital of Israel has to rank as one of the most unwise and myopic decisions that I have witnessed in a long time.

    The United States government’s position as an “honest broker” in the protracted conflict between Israel and the Arab world is dubious at best and ridiculous at worst. As one who has lived and worked within the political realm in the US, it is an open secret that the Israel lobby is very much a political reality within US domestic politics and international politics. Thus, to attempt to promote the idea that the US is an “honest broker” flies in the face of the conventions and effective practice of international mediation.

    This brings me to the Trinidad and Tobago government, which finds itself in the unenviable position of recognizing what is right and just and, at the same time, avoiding diplomatic tensions with one of the world’s powerful hegemons. It is a tight rope and required the vote required clear and skilful diplomacy. I agree with Dr. Cudjoe, that our government’s position on the question of Palestine is quite unclear and ambiguous.

    The only way to avoid tensions with the United States would have been to recognize Jerusalem as the de facto capital of Israel. Thus, if T&T is going to abstain, our government is going to have to deal with the consequences of taking such a stance.

    With this in mind, if I were to advise our foreign diplomats, I would recommended that they acknowledge the significance of Jerusalem to both the Arabs and the Jews. I would then advise them to abstain so that we can not be perceived as taking sides.

    Again, there would be a potential huge fallout with the United States as a result, but it would be a risk that I would be willing to take.

    1. Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. You need to get rid of the word “de-facto”.

      As for the Arabs who own 96.4% of the Middle East and are at war with themselves. They need to know that messing with the Jews is a “dead-end” street. Libya, Iraq, Syria Yemen…all fall victim to the sword. Iran is going down that pathway for funding Hezbollah. All these nations despite wealth and money is no match for Israel.

      They discovered that in the 6 day war with Israel. Pass lessons must not be ignored.

      1. Mamoo,

        We have been down this road before. With all due respect, you do not know what you are talking about

  13. Thats all you can come with MAMOO? civilization of 5000yrs? all relics, with the exception of the GIR sanctuary, i gave you inventional wonders that i’m sure is nestled in your home, check and see how many of those mentioned you presently have, oh, by the way, your holy river, the GANGIES, is named after an African, also the TAJ Mahal was built by one, After all the info posted, your ignorance have refused transformation, apparently you are so indoctrinated, your age have stifled the continuous learning processes, one is never to old to learn. only the truth will set you free, are you aware MAMOO, that HINDUISM is AFRICAN (KEMET) base? all the Oriental Religions, as a matter of fact.

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