CARICOM Secretary-General Mr. Edwin Carrington will attend the funeral of the late Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica the Honourable Pierre Charles.

Mr. Charles who died on 6 January 2004 will be buried on Saturday 17 January 2004 at the Grand Bay Roman Catholic Cemetery following a funeral service at the Grand Bay Roman Catholic Church. The state funeral will begin at 3.00 p.m.

Mr. Carrington arrives in Dominica on Friday, 16 January 2004 from Monterrey, Mexico where he is attending the Special Summit of the Americas.

The Governments of the United States of America and of the Caribbean nations of Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the Commonwealth of Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, the Republic of Haiti, Jamaica, the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Republic of Suriname, and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago pledge to strengthen our cooperation in responding to global and hemispheric challenges in a spirit of partnership and mutual respect.

It is with mixed feelings that I take part in this very important ceremony today. Mixed feelings because as you all know earlier this week there was the unfortunate passing of the Honourable Pierre Charles, the late Prime Minister of Dominica, on Tuesday, 6 January. Mixed feelings because today, I have the privilege and honour to sign, on behalf of CARIFORUM, a Financing Agreement, which provides for financial support valued at 11.95 Million Euro for Air Access Improvement for Dominica.

The Caribbean Community is shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden death of the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica, the Hon. Pierre Charles and who also served as Lead Head of Government with responsibility for Labour, including the movement of skills within the Community.

The Caribbean Community is shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden death of the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica, the Hon. Pierre Charles and who also served as Lead Head of Government with responsibility for Labour, including the movement of skills within the Community.

It is with mixed feelings that I take part in this very important ceremony today. Mixed feelings because as you all know earlier this week there was the unfortunate passing of the Honourable Pierre Charles, the late Prime Minister of Dominica, on Tuesday, 6 January. Mixed feelings because today, I have the privilege and honour to sign, on behalf of CARIFORUM, a Financing Agreement, which provides for financial support valued at 11.95 Million Euro for Air Access Improvement for Dominica.

CARICOM Secretary-General Mr. Edwin Carrington welcomed the news of the appointment of the Hon. Roosevelt Skerritt as Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica.

Mr. Skerritt, 31, was appointed on Thursday 8 January 2004 following the untimely passing two days earlier of the former Prime Minister the Hon. Pierre Charles.

CARICOM Chairman the Most Hon P.J. Patterson, Prime Minister of Jamaica has received the endorsement of the Haitian President, His Excellency Jean-Bertrand Aristide, for the latest CARICOM initiative to attenuate the political instability in that Member State. This endorsement is in response to proposals contained in a letter from Prime Minister Patterson to the Haitian President (copy attached). The initiative will commence with a fact-finding mission.

There are specific dates in history that carry with them lasting significance. January 1st, 1804 will remain indelibly etched in the annals of mankind.

There are specific dates in history that carry with them lasting significance. January the first 1804 will remain indelibly etched in the annals of mankind.