Mr. Chairman
His Excellency Governor General Sir Clifford Husbands
Colleague Prime Ministers
Cabinet Ministers
Members of Parliament
Secretary-General of CARICOM, Mr. Edwin Carrington
Other Distinguished GuestsLadies and Gentlemen
Mr. Chairman, I wish to express my gratitude for the warm welcome that you have extended to me at this, my first meeting, of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community.
This evening marks a momentous occasion in Caribbean legal history. We are gathered here to take a giant step towards the completion of psychological, political and judicial independence.
The Agreement establishing the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is now ready for signature by Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community. It is in the nature of a Treaty.
Colleague Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community;
Honourable Ministers of Government of the Community;
Your Excellency Dr Edwin Carrington;
Sir Shridath Ramphal, CARICOM's Chief Negotiator;
Other Heads of Delegations;
Distinguished guests;
Ladies and gentlemen_
There is a particular privilege that comes with speaking last. I can refrain from saying what I intended to say, since that would be to repeat what the Heads who have preceded me have said already.
Chairman,
The cultural history of the Caribbean reveals that its artists are usually the main repositories of its dreams and so, it is only fitting that the words of Saint Lucian poet Kendel Hippolyte should preface my remarks to you today.
"Island in the sun
my father's hand
stained with your soil
has never owned you
so, I am claiming you now
acre by acre
dream after dream."
Introduction
Salutation
Chairman,
The cultural history of the Caribbean reveals that its artists are usually the main repositories of its dreams and so, it is only fitting that the words of Saint Lucian poet Kendel Hippolyte should preface my remarks to you today.
"Island in the sun
my father's hand
stained with your soil
has never owned you
so, I am claiming you now
acre by acre
dream after dream."
Mr. Chairman, I believe that it is fitting that at this the first Meeting of the Heads of Government of the Community in this new millennium, taking place here in Barbados that we are recognising the contributions of three outstanding citizens of the Community to the process of regional integration. I salute the Rt. Hon. George Price of Belize; Sir George Alleyne of Barbados; and Dr. Slinger Francisco, the Mighty Sparrow of Trinidad and Tobago. I extend to them the heartiest congratulations of the Government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Mr. Chairman, I believe that it is fitting that at this the first Meeting of the Heads of Government of the Community in this new millennium, taking place here in Barbados that we are recognising the contributions of three outstanding citizens of the Community to the process of regional integration. I salute the Rt. Hon. George Price of Belize; Sir George Alleyne of Barbados; and Dr. Slinger Francisco, the Mighty Sparrow of Trinidad and Tobago. I extend to them the heartiest congratulations of the Government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
His Excellency Sir Clifford Husbands, Governor-General of Barbados and Lady Husbands;
The Rt. Hon. Owen Arthur, Prime Minister of Barbados and Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
His Excellency the President of Suriname;
Distinguished Prime Ministers
Honourable Ministers;
Honourable Members of the Judiciary and the Bar;
Excellencies of the Diplomatic Corps;
Chief Negotiator of the Regional Negotiating Machinery;
Distinguished Recipients of the Order of the Caribbean Community;
RESHAPING OUR WORLD
At the Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in Georgetown, Guyana in July 1986, the then Prime Minister of Barbados, the Rt Hon Errol Barrow, asserted that it was the "collective wisdom" of the Caribbean people that would make for unity and integration within the Community. He was however, adamant that_
It is altogether fitting that, on this day which has, allegedly, inspired the creation of so many happy unions, the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community should meet to advance the cause of Caribbean unity.
In the expectation that this meeting will be characterised by all the happier sentiments which the day evokes, I am greatly pleased on behalf of the Government and people of Barbados to offer you a warm welcome to our shores, and I require and command you to revel in the total hospitality that Barbados is anxious to afford.