Bdos: An end to the fishy oil dispute in sight?

NEW behind-the-scenes initiatives could be under way to mend relations between Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago after the fury of sound bites and political tension that resulted from statements, actions and posturings over fishing rights and delimitation of maritime boundaries.

The assessment is based on occurrences at the recent 15th Inter-Sessional Meeting of Caribbean Community Heads of  Government in St Kitts. 

The exchanges of Prime Ministers Owen Arthur and Patrick Manning in caucus sessions at that meeting would have, at times been forceful. Manning told the media: “Our discussions on maritime issues were quite intense, but these are intense  matters ...”

And what of the  bilateral trade dispute? He sees the licensing regime in Barbados “as a temporary measure” based on  discussions held.

To judge from their  public interaction, body language and occasional remarks to the media, both Arthur and Manning left St Kitts in a mood that could influence the repairing of relations – at  personal and state level and in the best interest of both countries.