CARIBBEAN nationals have started a campaign to boycott Trinidad and Tobago products after Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessars statement that whatever assistance is to be provided to islands affected by Hurricane Tomas, must result in some benefit to TT nationals.

According to a Jamaican news website, the comments have drawn condemnation of some members of the region who on social networking sites, Facebook, Twitter, FeverEyes.Com and through BlackBerry broadcasted messages urging a boycott of TT products. 

The website said the broadcast message stated, Join me and many of my friends in the buy nothing made in Trinidad and Tobago campaign. 

When Newsday visited the Facebook community news page, On The Ground News Report, there were several comments critisicing the PMs statement and suggesting the boycott. One member of the group, Gracie Thompson-Daniel said: When America does it no one complains, Trinidad does it and everyone wants to boycott. 

Marlon Gillette said: I am seriously distressed and disappointed by such a statement. however, Trinidad has the right to determine who they help. It really is Caricoms job to help its members that are in need after a natural disaster. I am not surprised by this statement nonetheless, I think Trinidad has always seen themselves as better than the rest of Caricom. According to Go-Jamaica, not everyone was in agreement with the boycott. Law student Marc Ramsay whose note An Open Letter to Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has received attention on Facebook said that a boycott was not practical. 

While I am equally distressed and appalled by her call for reciprocal aid arrangements with our Caribbean neighbours affected by Hurricane Tomas, I implore you not to see revenge as the way forward. I encourage you to see this as a wake-up call for our region, he said. 

As young people we now see first hand the deeply embedded attitudes and sentiments held by many of those who govern us. This is not the time to lash out in a way that would affect our brothers and sisters in Trinidad and Tobago who depend on export revenue to feed their families. On the contrary, this is a call for us as young people to use our power to change the system, he continued.