UN Security Council bid by Venezuela and Guatemala pits Caricom against the US

Dr Anthony's comments came in the same week that the US Ambassador in Guyana expressed reservations about Caribbean support for Venezuela's bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

In an interview with the Associated Press Ambassador David Robinson had said Caribbean countries should withhold their support because the South American country could hinder their ability to combat terrorism and nuclear proliferation.

He's also quoted as saying that "the decision should be taken seriously with the future in mind, and that they should not try to signal symbolic displeasure with the U.S."

They should not try to signal symbolic displeasure with the U.S.   US Ambassador, David Robinson

Venezuela and Guatemala are competing for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

Guatemala has the backing of the Washington while the Caribbean countries are throwing their support behind Venezuela.

Making choices

Prime Minister Anthony told BBC Caribbean that regional support for Venezuela is based on the need for what he called strong independent voices at the UN Security Council.

"Countries sometimes have special interests - they need to assert their independence. They can't take instructions from one or other countries.

"The fact that the Caribbean is supporting Venezuela on this issue, does not mean at all that you subscribe to Venezuela's views on all matters."

Caricom member countries jointly control 14 votes at the U.N.

They (countries) need to assert their independence.   St Lucia Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony

Washington has lobbied to keep Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, from winning what some see as the high profile platform.

Last week while adderessing the UN General Assembly President Chavez referred to U.S. President George W. Bush as "the devil".

The US has named Venezuela in what it called the "axis of evil" including Cuba, Iran and North Korea.

St Lucian Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony, who has lead responsibility in Caricom for Governance said: "We have strong and powerful differences with Venezuela on other issues.

We don't necessarily agree with Venezuela's politics just as we don't always agree with US politics but we have a fundamental relationship with the United States."

The matter of whether Venezuela or Guatemala gets a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council will be decided by secret ballot at the UN on October 16.