Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community, Mr Edwin Carrington has spoken out in favour of CARICOM's continued support to the healing process in Guyana.
On the conclusion of a one-day visit by the Chairman of CARICOM, Dr. the Hon. Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, the Secretary-General said the last thing anyone wanted to see happen in Guyana was a breakdown of the society as has been experienced in certain other countries.
A workshop on Economic Integration and Free Trade_ Challenges and Responses Chilean and CARICOM Perspective, a joint initiative of the University of the West Indies Latin American-Caribbean Centre (LACC) in Jamaica and the Government of Chile through its Agency for International Cooperation (AGCI), will be held at the Institute of International Relations on the St. Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies, 4-6 February 1998.
The Caribbean recognises that Southern Africa is the sub-region within the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of countries with which it "can perhaps best do business".
In making this point on Monday morning at the Park Hyatt Johannesburg Hotel while addressing representatives of the South African Chamber of Business (SACOB) and members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Trade and Investment Mission, Grenada's Foreign Minister Dr. the Hon. Raphael Fletcher emphasised that this could best be done in terms of exchanges in skills, trade and services.
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), will convene its next meeting 5-7 February, 1998 in Jamaica.
The new Ministerial body which replaces the longstanding Common Market Council, will address matters relating to the revision of the Treaty of Chaguaramas, the implementation of other measures towards achieving a CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), and External Trade and Economic Relations.
I have already conveyed to the leaders of all the parties contesting the elections in Guyana, the congratulations of the Caribbean Community colleagues that they have, with considerable statesmanship, taken a major step in turning aside from rising conflict towards a resolution of current problems by inquiry and dialogue.
CARICOM Chairman, Grenada Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Keith Mitchell is expected to travel to Guyana on Thursday (January 22) to announce the members of the Audit Team and meet with leaders of the political parties.
In making the announcement Tuesday, Prime Minister Mitchell said it is important that the spirit of reconciliation and unity emanating from the CARICOM Mission be promoted and strengthened. The Mission comprising Sir Henry Forde, Q.C., Sir Shridath Ramphal and Sir Alister McIntyre, visited Guyana January 14-18.
Grenada's Foreign Minister Dr the Hon. Raphael Fletcher will lead an 85-strong CARICOM Ministerial Trade and Investment Mission to South Africa at the weekend.
The Caribbean Community Mission to Guyana, January 14-18, 1998 resulted in agreement by the two major political parties - the People's Progressive Party (PPP/Civic) and the People's National Congress PNC- to a set of measures for resolving the current problems in that Member State.
On conclusion of the deliberations the following were issued_
Grenada's Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Keith Mitchell has taken over as Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), on completion of the term served by Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Rt. Hon. Percival Patterson.
His first major undertaking was the initiation of a CARICOM Mission of eminent persons to mediate in the dispute arising out of the December 15 elections in Guyana.
The CARICOM Chairman will host the Community's 9th Inter-sessional Meeting scheduled for March 2-3.
We have come to Guyana on the initiative of the Caribbean Community as stated in the Press Release of 8 January 1998 by the Community's current Chairman, Prime Minister Mitchell of Grenada. Also, as there stated, we have come with the specific concurrence of the two main political parties in Guyana - and we hope as well with the support of all political and other elements of Guyanese society.