SSP Diaries | More questions than answers

THE 28th Ibero-American Summit took place in the Dominican Republic on March 24. This event involved South and Central American, Caribbean and European, Spanish/Portuguese-speaking nations. The focus was to be on post COVID-19 economic issues. However, the proceedings were ‘derailed’ by much concern over the worsening situation in Haiti.

Costa Rica was very vocal in stating that it was unfair to expect the Dominican Republic alone to bear the brunt of resolving the Haitian problem because they share the landscape when this problem is one that demands global attention and assistance for resolution.

The president of the Dominican Republic also suggested that “pacification” was the only solution for his neighbour’s problem. From the display of “passions” the gathering seemed more resolute about doing something to help Haiti and I wonder if there has been any dialogue with CARICOM on this issue. The interest of the UN, and North America is not in my mind likely to go beyond the superficial.

MAD RUSH

There is a mad rush on to establish, strengthen, renew relations with countries in Africa, by the USA. It is really a barefaced attempt to recover ground lost to China and Russia, mainly, in the decades past when the land of our ancestors had no other importance to the developed world than to continuously keep its people in the dark and plunder its resources.

Africa has become much wiser and far more unified than was expected, but the talk of the Western world will need to be rephrased. It constantly appears to emphasise that their intent is to provide “leadership” in the region as opposed to arriving at mutually beneficial solutions. Leadership in the contexts used denotes a continuation of the “big stick” mentality and an inability to learn from France’s recent experiences on the African Continent. Let us observe keenly how things materialise. I am sure that there will be no easement of current travel restrictions, to Europe or the USA, for example.

North Korea has increased its testing/firing of missiles, President Putin has declared that Russia will be deploying nuclear war heads to its neighbouring state, Belarus, the Western alliance has announced that it will be providing advanced armaments to Ukraine in order to ensure that they do not lose the war. Australia is increasing its military resources with a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines which they claim will not have nuclear warheads ... perhaps the joke of the century, and China’s rapid expansion of its military capabilities continues to outpace and alarm those who feel they have cause to be alarmed.

NEGOTIATING PEACE

The Western alliance has shown no stomach for negotiating peace between Ukraine and Russia, while Ukraine, the country suffering the most, is bent on winning the battle, while all their people and infrastructure is being systematically destroyed throughout their country. China’s peace proposal is the only one on the table but this has no favour with the NATO Alliance, perhaps because it was not initiated by the US.

Come what may, at the end of the day, who is likely to “own” Ukraine? It will not be able to rebuild on its own, it has already mortgaged itself, through the demand and receipt of military resources, for at least the next 60 or more years. If it exists at the end of the conflict, who owns it?

The race to dominate space with research and communication technology, and perhaps even weaponry, is undoubtedly a real one. Apart from the US, UK, Russia, China, there are other countries such as India that are very much sprinting into orbit. There are some considerations that have not been explained, as far as I know, to us mere earthlings. How is the orbit of these space stations and satellites decided? What are the risks of collision? When usefulness has expired, do these items become debris creating a “space dump?” What are the chances of this debris returning to Earth? Based on what is up there already, are there concerns for future space exploration? Is space not now a dangerous environment with the threat of orbiting satellites, space stations, debris and meteorites? Space pollution? I welcome answers to these and any other relevant matter that has not been covered.

INNOCENT LIFE

To coin a well-known Jamaican proverb ... ‘cock mout ketch cock’ ... or so it would appear! President Zelensky of Ukraine successfully lobbied the world to declare President Putin of Russia a war criminal and have an International Criminal Court Warrant issued. Effectively, Putin can be arrested in any country that is a signatory to these provisions and handed over to the International Court of the Hague, in the Netherlands, for trial. Zelensky alleges that Putin has caused wanton destruction of innocent life and infrastructure in waging war on his country.

In recent times the world has learned of Ukraine attacking Moscow, the heart of Russia and other targets, using drone technology, which has caused the loss of innocent lives and damaged private residences. Is there a difference in the actions of either party? Will we soon hear of a similar warrant being issued for Zelensky? Wait, but I wouldn’t hold my breath!

Until next time.