By Edwin W. Carrington
Secretary-General
Caribbean Community (Caricom)
The name of the Honourable Sir Shridath Surendradath ‘Sonny’ Ramphal, OCC is inextricably linked to the pursuit of co-operation, development and integration in the Caribbean, the wider so-called Third World and globally. No major initiative in those areas in the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s and ’90s was without the contribution of Sonny Ramphal in some capacity.
Indeed in a number of them, he was the principal architect. From the West Indies Federation, to the Caribbean Free Trade Association (Carifta), through to the Caribbean Community and Common Market (Caricom), the West Indian Commission and the fledgling Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (CRNM), he used his legal and diplomatic skills to the benefit of the region and mankind in general.
He was instrumental in the formation of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of Countries through his participation in the drafting of the Georgetown Agreement of 1975 which established the group. He took over the leadership of the Commonwealth Secretariat and as Patsy Robertson, former head of COMSEC Communications described, “he brought to the service of the Commonwealth an unrivalled network of international contacts which would enable him to take the bold initiatives that characterised his 15 years at the helm of the world’s uniquely internationalist grouping.”
It is in that post that Sonny Ramphal rose from Third World to global prominence, using the platform of that ‘uniquely internationalist grouping’ to become a leading voice against the evils of apartheid in South Africa and for promoting the independence of Zimbabwe which had been declared independent unilaterally under white-minority rule. Under his leadership, the Commonwealth became a moral voice on a number of hot button issues, such as nuclear disarmament and the alleviation of poverty and suffering.
Sonny was also a very early proponent for environmental issues and was a member of the World Commission on Environ-ment and Development. He also wrote a book Our Country, the Planet for the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
I first met Shridath Ramphal in 1970 at Carifta where most that happened had the hallmark of his busy hand and even busier mind – diplomatic recognition of Cuba, crafting policy for determining relations with the European Community which was to lead to the first Lomé Convention where he was the visionary.
I also saw him operate on that wider stage following his grounding years in Carifta. I was fortunate to benefit significantly from his further advancement to Commonwealth leadership where as Secretary-General, he extended many a helpful hand to me in my own role as Secretary-General of the very ACP, in the establishment of which, as I mentioned earlier, he had played such a pivotal role.
We were to meet again at his crucial starting point – Caribbean integration – as he headed the West Indian Commission and I assumed the Secretary-Generalship of Caricom. His vision served to enhance the community although much to his regret, I am sure, his centrepiece – the establishment of a Caribbean Commission – has not yet found favour with the regional decision-makers. It may still not be too late for a design which marries principle with structure.
Sonny’s contribution to the region was to continue as he assumed the role of Chief Trade Negotiator of the Regional Negotiating Machinery of the community and later as Chancellor of the University of the West Indies. Both in my capacity as Secretary-General of the community and as a member of the University Council, I was fortunate to continue to witness first hand and marvel at the vision, commitment and energy of this remarkable son of the Caribbean.
This brings to mind a review many years ago in the British Sunday Express newspaper of the candidates for the Secretary-General of the UN. It concluded that the powers that be would not be appointing Sonny as he was certain to take the job seriously and use it to do something!
Neither time nor space allows me to range across all of Sonny’s contribution to the region and the world in general, suffice it to say his combined contribution to both has been unparalleled. It is no wonder that the Honourable Rex Nettleford, OCC was moved to write of his “iconic intellectual stature.”
To me he has already not only earned my gratitude but as Dr Ian McDonald suggested, the Nobel Peace Prize as well, whether granted or not.
His immense contribution to the region of his birth which continues even as he enjoys the Indian summer of his life is well worth recording. And the effort by this publication is a step in the right direction. All of us are better off because of the life of Sonny Ramphal – all 80 years of it. Happy Birthday Sonny!