Prime Minister David Thompson has no intention of "shouting across the Caribbean sea at, or with colleague Prime Ministers, or other high-ranking government officials".
He made this assertion during a statement on the "growing problem" of undocumented, illegal and unchecked migration in Barbados, last Saturday, June 27, at the Grace Adams Suite, Grantley Adams International Airport.
Mr. Thompson told members of the media that he had previously set out and would outline again at this week’s Heads of Government meeting in Georgetown, Guyana, the challenges that uncontrolled, rampant migration pose to the social and economic structure of Barbados.
"I will not be hiding from, or ducking the issues. There is clearly a need for public education of all interest groups, at all levels, and I intend to lead from the front on this issue," he remarked.
The Prime Minister added that prior to the "much touted meeting in caucus of leaders on the issue, he would request an audience with journalists in Guyana, and from wherever they travel to cover that summit, to reiterate the policy position of this Barbados government on issues of immigration, migration and the free movement of CARICOM nationals in and out of Barbados".
Mr. Thompson said that the Government of Barbados would pay to have the interface with regional journalists beamed and broadcast live from Georgetown to every capital city of CARICOM and across the worldwide web.
He added: "There must be no ambiguity about where Barbados stands on this issue. As Prime Minister, I will outline the policy position of the Government and that which I sense is the position of the vast majority of Barbadians."
Mr. Thompson stressed that he was going to Georgetown in search of ideas and suggestions for tackling the problem. "I will outline the challenges confronting Barbados and I will take on board the concerns of colleagues, as well as accounts of specific incidents of less than professional conduct on the part of Barbadian authorities. I will investigate all such reports and act thereon.
"Above all else, I will embrace any and all ideas advanced by my colleagues towards managing, mitigating and eventually alleviating the challenge of illegal, undocumented and unchecked migration in Barbados," the Prime Minister stated.