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published: Friday | July 13, 2007
Dennie Quill, Contributor
I am worried that Jamaica's influence in the world is on the decline. I am even more concerned that no one in power is doing anything about it.
A generation ago Jamaica was at the forefront of the anti-apartheid movement, this tiny country - its politicians and artists - stirred the conscience of the rest of the world against South Africa's ignoble regime. Our strident voice was heard during ACP negotiations, we impressed the world with our views on the Non-Aligned Movement and the New World Economic Order etc. Back then Jamaica had a positive influence in the world. Attitudes toward Jamaica and Jamaicans were also positive. Its nationals could travel to many places without restrictions.
I accept that the world has changed since the terrorist attacks of September 11 and that countries are now forced to take steps to protect their borders and keep out undesirables. However, I must confess that I was taken aback, when I read that Costa Rica has become the latest country to impose visas restrictions on Jamaicans. We have witnessed over the last few years Great Britain, (the Mother Country) and former dependencies, Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos imposing visa restrictions on Jamaican nationals.
Anti-Jamaican sentiments
I can't agree with these decisions, but I understand that in some cases, action followed strong anti-Jamaican sentiments triggered by criminal activities carried out by Jamaicans in those countries. I have not heard of any Jamaicans creating havoc in Costa Rica. In any event, before visa requirements are imposed there is usually some discussion between the respective governments. I would hate to think that Jamaica has so lost its influence in the world that the Costa Rican foreign ministry did not discuss their difficulty with Jamaica before the move was made.
It certainly is a prerogative of the Costa Rican Government to impose visa restrictions on foreigners, but when one considers the great historical connection between our two countries, and the lack of any criminal surge among Jamaicans, it is puzzling. I visited an Internet travel site to get a better understanding of which people the Costa Ricans aim to keep out. There is a list of 32 countries whose nationals do not require a visa for a 90-day stay in the country, Trinidad and Tobago is the only Caricom country on that list. Yet it includes South Korea, Hungary and Liechtenstein. So I have to conclude that while there is obvious admiration for the Jamaican culture in many parts of the world, there has been a fundamental shift in the way the world sees us.
Visarequirements are interpreted as a statement about the relationship between countries and generally reflect the status a country enjoys within the international community of nations.
The Henley Visa Restriction Index is a global ranking of countries according to the travel freedom enjoyed by their nationals. The top rank is held jointly by Denmark, Finland and the United States which means that their citizens can enter 130 countries without a visa. The highest ranking I saw for a Caribbean territory was St. Kitts/Nevis at 40 followed by Dominica at 46. I am still searching for Jamaica's ranking on that world list.
An invitation
Ironically, just as I was thinking about this sudden visa announcement by the Costa Rican government I opened the newspaper to see an invitation to: 'Do business with Costa Rican companies!' According to the ad: 'Come and explore the opportunities that the Free Trade agreement between CARICOM and Costa Rica will offer.' There is to be an exhibition of Costa Rican goods here in Jamaica next week. With visa restrictions in place, it is now easier to take the goods to us here for there is no requirement for Costa Ricans to acquire visas to come here. Once I visited Epcot Centre in Orlando and on one of their many educational rides, they allowed patrons to choose the ending to the story. I am thinking maybe I should ask readers to add the closing sentence to this column. Next week I will hopefully print some of your responses.
Dennie Quill, Contributor
I am worried that Jamaica's influence in the world is on the decline. I am even more concerned that no one in power is doing anything about it.
A generation ago Jamaica was at the forefront of the anti-apartheid movement, this tiny country - its politicians and artists - stirred the conscience of the rest of the world against South Africa's ignoble regime. Our strident voice was heard during ACP negotiations, we impressed the world with our views on the Non-Aligned Movement and the New World Economic Order etc. Back then Jamaica had a positive influence in the world. Attitudes toward Jamaica and Jamaicans were also positive. Its nationals could travel to many places without restrictions.
I accept that the world has changed since the terrorist attacks of September 11 and that countries are now forced to take steps to protect their borders and keep out undesirables. However, I must confess that I was taken aback, when I read that Costa Rica has become the latest country to impose visas restrictions on Jamaicans. We have witnessed over the last few years Great Britain, (the Mother Country) and former dependencies, Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos imposing visa restrictions on Jamaican nationals.
Anti-Jamaican sentiments
I can't agree with these decisions, but I understand that in some cases, action followed strong anti-Jamaican sentiments triggered by criminal activities carried out by Jamaicans in those countries. I have not heard of any Jamaicans creating havoc in Costa Rica. In any event, before visa requirements are imposed there is usually some discussion between the respective governments. I would hate to think that Jamaica has so lost its influence in the world that the Costa Rican foreign ministry did not discuss their difficulty with Jamaica before the move was made.
It certainly is a prerogative of the Costa Rican Government to impose visa restrictions on foreigners, but when one considers the great historical connection between our two countries, and the lack of any criminal surge among Jamaicans, it is puzzling. I visited an Internet travel site to get a better understanding of which people the Costa Ricans aim to keep out. There is a list of 32 countries whose nationals do not require a visa for a 90-day stay in the country, Trinidad and Tobago is the only Caricom country on that list. Yet it includes South Korea, Hungary and Liechtenstein. So I have to conclude that while there is obvious admiration for the Jamaican culture in many parts of the world, there has been a fundamental shift in the way the world sees us.
Visarequirements are interpreted as a statement about the relationship between countries and generally reflect the status a country enjoys within the international community of nations.
The Henley Visa Restriction Index is a global ranking of countries according to the travel freedom enjoyed by their nationals. The top rank is held jointly by Denmark, Finland and the United States which means that their citizens can enter 130 countries without a visa. The highest ranking I saw for a Caribbean territory was St. Kitts/Nevis at 40 followed by Dominica at 46. I am still searching for Jamaica's ranking on that world list.
An invitation
Ironically, just as I was thinking about this sudden visa announcement by the Costa Rican government I opened the newspaper to see an invitation to: 'Do business with Costa Rican companies!' According to the ad: 'Come and explore the opportunities that the Free Trade agreement between CARICOM and Costa Rica will offer.' There is to be an exhibition of Costa Rican goods here in Jamaica next week. With visa restrictions in place, it is now easier to take the goods to us here for there is no requirement for Costa Ricans to acquire visas to come here. Once I visited Epcot Centre in Orlando and on one of their many educational rides, they allowed patrons to choose the ending to the story. I am thinking maybe I should ask readers to add the closing sentence to this column. Next week I will hopefully print some of your responses.
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