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His Excellency Sir Clifford Husbands, Governor-General of Barbados and Lady Husbands; |
Speeches
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..
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As a Caribbean man, born, bred and brought up a Caribbean man, I know that I speak on behalf of all fellow Caribbean people, especially the business community and businesses like BWIA with a broad Caribbean raison d'etre, when I say that we are indeed proud, delighted and appreciative that our Caribbean leaders have agreed to bring a Caribbean Court of Justice into being.
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Mr. Chairman 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. |
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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_
Mr. Chairman and Host Minister, Hon. Ralph Fonseca
Rt. Hon. Denzil Douglas, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis
Regional Ministers
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Representatives of International and Regional Organisations
Distinguished Guests
Friends of the Media
Ladies and Gentlemen
Heads of Government were informed by the Hon. Basdeo Panday, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago of the political and constitutional situation in that country.
Heads of Government were also apprised by Dr. the Hon. Kenny Anthony, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia - in his capacity as CARICOM Head of Government with lead responsibility for Justice and Governance - of the consultations in which he engaged during his recent visit to Trinidad and Tobago at the request of Prime Minister, the Hon. Basdeo Panday.
Heads of Government of CARICOM and CANADA, at their Sixth Summit Meeting in Montego Bay, Jamaica on January 19, 2001, were briefed by the Government of Guyana on the controversy between Guyana and Venezuela.
The Heads of Government noted that the Government of Venezuela continued to make claims to Guyana's territory.
The Attorneys General and Ministers of Legal Affairs of Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), participating in the Sixth Special Meeting of the Legal Affairs Committee in Georgetown, will meet with a cross-section of the Guyanese society in the evening of Wednesday, 24 January, 2001 in a panel discussion on the establishment of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).