ST. JOHN'S, Antigua — Barbuda MP Trevor Walker on Tuesday criticized the government's handling of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the United States concerning the possible transfer of third-country nationals, arguing that Parliament was given insufficient time to review the document before being asked to debate a related resolution.
According to Antigua News Room, Walker raised his objections during debate on the government's resolution outlining the principles for continued negotiations with Washington, questioning why the MOU was only circulated shortly before the sitting. He suggested that many lawmakers — including members on the government side — may not have had adequate opportunity to study the document in detail.
Walker said Parliament should not be expected to deliberate on a matter of such national importance without proper time to review supporting documents.
"I don't know if anybody in this Honourable House had seen this MOU before today," he said. "Maybe some members on the government side saw it, but I certainly didn't."
The Barbuda representative argued that members needed sufficient time to compare the memorandum with the White Paper and the proposed resolution in order to fully understand the government's negotiating position. He questioned why Parliament was being asked to endorse principles arising from a document legislators had only recently received.
Walker also raised concerns about the version of the MOU that was circulated, noting that it appeared to be unsigned. He asked whether it represented the final document agreed upon between Antigua and Barbuda and the United States, saying those uncertainties made it difficult for Parliament to properly scrutinize the negotiations.
"We have to know exactly what it is we're debating," Walker said, adding that greater transparency would strengthen public confidence in the process.
He stressed that his concerns were not intended to undermine the country's relationship with the United States, but rather to ensure Parliament could effectively perform its oversight role. Members, he argued, should be given adequate time to examine documents before debating issues that touch on Antigua and Barbuda's sovereignty and international obligations.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne responded later in the debate, saying the White Paper and the resolution had been circulated in advance. Browne argued that the MOU was not a legally binding agreement and noted that it is generally not customary to publicly circulate diplomatic correspondence between governments. A signed copy of the MOU was subsequently provided to parliamentarians.
