E.P Chet Greene

​

Eli, let’s cut through the noise.

You have made a career of commenting on Antigua and Barbuda’s affairs. Some of it has been constructive but on the question of our foreign policy and our relationship with China, you have crossed from scrutiny into something that does this country no favours.

The notion that our Citizenship by Investment Programme, our offshore financial services sector, or any other policy position we have adopted poses a threat to United States security is, frankly, a fabrication. If you believe otherwise, bring irrefutable facts. Not insinuation. Not guilt by association. Not the comfortable echo chamber of your known animosity toward this administration. Facts. You have been invited repeatedly to present them. The Prime Minister himself issued an open invitation to you to engage on these issues in a serious forum and when you appeared on Pointe fm you simply could not sustain your off air posturing. Why?

You have never pointed to a single instance, not one, when Antigua and Barbuda’s relationship with China, through any policy, any programme announcement, or any implementation, drew open criticism from Washington or was adverse to our own development interest. Not one.

That is because it does not exist. What exists is a partnership that has delivered concrete benefits to Antiguans and Barbudans: agricultural training that is already reshaping our food security, infrastructure that modernises our island and a diplomatic relationship built on mutual respect that stretches back to 1982, when the Father of the Nation had the vision to recognise an emerging China when others did not.

This is not about choosing sides. Prime Minister Browne has said it plainly, “We are friends of all; enemies of none.” Antigua and Barbuda maintains strong ties with the United States. Our soldiers train with SOUTHCOM, our security is bolstered by the U.S Coast Guard and the U.S is our number one trading partner. We have never been asked to choose and we will not be manoeuvred into choosing. Our foreign policy serves Antigua and Barbuda’s national interests. Full stop.

The geopolitical posturing you seem eager to amplify is not our fight. Secretary Rubio says “this is our hemisphere” and President Trump says those who “destabilise it and threaten the United States will face consequences.” That is their doctrine, their framing, their strategic posture. Antigua and Barbuda is not a base of operations for anyone and so those comments do not include us. We are a small island state trying to build a sustainable future for our people.

If Washington has concerns, the proper channel is diplomatic engagement. That is why we have and maintain an embassy in the U.S capital, staffed with experienced diplomats. Your public commentary does not strengthen our position. It weakens it by lending credibility to narratives that paint us as something we are not.

China has been a reliable developmental partner to Antigua and Barbuda for over four decades. When others offered words, China offered roads, ports, training and opportunity. The Father of the Nation understood in 1982 what some still refuse to acknowledge today: that small states must cultivate relationships with all who are willing to respect our sovereignty and contribute to our development. Ingratitude is not a foreign policy. It is a character flaw.

So here is my challenge to you, Eli. Stop salaciously going into overdrive to tarnish Antigua and Barbuda’s good name. Stop dressing up personal animus as national concern. Bring facts, irrefutable, documented, verifiable facts or bring silence. This country deserves better than uninformed and irresponsible commentary from someone who has never had to sit in the chair and make the hard decisions that sovereignty demands.

I implore you to promote, protect and defend Antigua and Barbuda. That is the posture of a patriot. Anything else is noise.