It is for me an honour, a privilege and a pleasure to be part of this historic occasion which the holding of the 10th Inter-sessional Meeting of the Conference of the Heads of Government in Suriname represents.
The Tenth Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, was held in Paramaribo, Suriname on 4-5 March, 1999.
The Secretary-General's Trophy for the champions of the Caribbean Community 25th Anniversary Regional Schools Debating Competition has found a home in Trinidad and Tobago.
Your Excellency Jules Wijdenbosch, President of Suriname
Chairman of the Caribbean Community
Other distinguished Heads of State and Government
Vice President of Suriname
Speaker of the National Assembly
Hon. Ministers
Members of the Assembly
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Other distinguished guests
Members of the Media
Ladies and Gentlemen_
Esteemed Colleagues,
Esteemed Mr. Vice-President
Members of the Council of Ministers
Madam Speaker of the National Assembly
Representatives of High Councils of State
Distinguished Delegates
Member of the Corps Diplomatique
Ladies and Gentlemen
Your Excellency, Jules Wijdenbosch, President of Suriname and Chairman of CARICOM
Colleague Heads of Government
Vice President Of Suriname
Speaker of the National Assembly
Ministers
Members of the Assembly
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Distinguished Delegates
Other Distinguished Guests
Members of the Media
Ladies and Gentlemen
Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community reiterate their unwavering opposition and that of their peoples to the blatant and persistent use of the Caribbean Sea for the transhipment of highly toxic nuclear materials.
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They again call on the Governments of France, Japan and the United Kingdom to respect the economic importance and ecological fragility of the Caribbean Sea and the well-being of the millions of people who depend on this unique resource for their very existence.
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St Kitts/Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago have advanced to the finals of the CARICOM 25TH Anniversary Regional Secondary Schools Debating Competition following the semi-finals in Dominica and Trinidad and Tobago on Friday last.
The team from St. Kitts/Nevis successfully argued that "The Growth of Tourism in the Region has a Negative Effect on Caribbean Identity" and defeated the home team Dominica who made their first appearance in the competition.
Distinguished colleagues,
Distinguished Heads of delegations,
Mr. Secretary-General
Delegates,
Staff of the CARICOM Secretariat
Ladies and Gentlemen.
The Government of Suriname is pleased and honoured to host this First Extraordinary Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations.
On 1 March 1999, Mrs. Janet Jagan representing the PPP/Civic and Mr. Hugh Desmond Hoyte representing the PNC met with the CARICOM Facilitator at Colgrain House, the official residence of the Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community. This location was agreed with the kind permission of the Secretary-General. The Meeting commenced at 17_08 hrs.
The main purpose of the Meeting was to settle the parameters and guidelines within which the political dialogue may continue.