Deeply concerned about the continuing instability in Haiti and the prospect of a breakdown in the social order, the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) emphasise that only strict adherence to the democratic process will constitute a proper solution to the political problems in Haiti.

It will be recalled that at the XXIII Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community held in Georgetown from July 3-5, 2002, the Heads of Government had accepted an invitation extended by the President of Haiti for a delegation led by the Chairman of Conference to visit Haiti before the end of 2002. 

The main purpose of the visit would be in recognition of Haiti’s membership and to encourage the process of inter-relationship between Haiti and the rest of the Community. 

The Caribbean Community wishes to convey its full support for   the Mission to Venezuela currently being  led by  the Organisation of  American States (OAS) Secretary-General  H. E. Cesar  Gaviria with the aim of promoting political dialogue between the Government of President Hugo Chavez and opposition groups.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary-General, Mr Edwin Carrington on Saturday, 30 November 2002, received Barbados= second highest National Award, the Companion of Honour of Barbados (Honorary) (CHB).

At a glittering ceremony at Government House, Bridgetown which formed part of the celebrations marking the 36th Anniversary of Independence, Barbados Governor-General H.E Sir Clifford Husbands GCMG KA, pinned the insignia on Mr Carrington. The award was conferred on the Secretary-General Afor his outstanding contribution to the development of the Caribbean Region.@

The Caribbean Community has lost yet another of its distinguished personalities on this occasion a daughter- Ms Eugenia AJean@ Pierre, T.C.

It is with deep sorrow that the Community has learnt of the death of Ms Pierre, a national icon of Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean region.

The Ninth Caribbean Community (CARICOM)–Japan Consultation was held at MITA KAIGISHO Conference Hall in Tokyo on 5-6 November 2002. The delegation of CARICOM was headed by Ms. Fay Housty, Director of Foreign Policy and External Economic Relations of the CARICOM Secretariat and that of Japan by Ken Shimanouchi, Director-General of the Latin American and Caribbean Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On 25 September 2002, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat received a Diplomatic Note dated 24 September 2002 from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica informing that the Government of Jamaica had “indicated to the Government of the United States of America its intention to resume bilateral ‘Open Skies’ negotiation on suitable dates between 21 and 30 October 2002.”

Ambassador Lortie
Distinguished officials of the Government of Canada
Distinguished delegates
Ladies and Gentlemen

First of all, Ambassador Lortie, let me express my appreciation and that of my delegation to you for your kind opening remarks and to the Government of Canada for the warm welcome and kind hospitality extended to my delegation since our arrival.  In spite of these snowstorm conditions, the warm spirit of Canada which characterizes the special relationship which our Region has long enjoyed with your country has been very much in evidence.

Regional statisticians got together for back-to-back meetings during the past week, November 11-15, 2002 in St. George’s, Grenada to discuss critical issues relating to data collection, compilation and dissemination, in support of national and regional priorities and objectives. The Meetings were convened by the Secretariat of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and hosted by the Government of Grenada.