Your Excellency Sir Cuthbert Sebastian, Governor-General of St. Kitts and Nevis
Dr. Denzil Douglas, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis
Honourable Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community
Members of the Federal Government of St. Kitts and Nevis
Mmembers of the Nevis Island Assembly
Dr. Edwin Carrington, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
Mr. Dwight Venner, Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Hon. Justice Satrohan Singh
Your Lordship Justice Neville Smith
Conference of Heads of Government
The Seventh Special Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community was held in Chaguaramas, Trinidad and Tobago on 26-27 October 1999.
The Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community at their just concluded Twentieth Meeting of the Conference, reviewed the political situation in Guyana particularly in the context of the commitments undertaken under the Herdmanston Accord and the Saint Lucia Statement, to which they are a Party. The Heads of Government noted with satisfaction the progress being made towards fulfilling some key objectives of the two Agreements and agreed to redouble their efforts to support the process.
The Twentieth Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), was held in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on 4-7 July 1999.
Your Excellency Arthur N.R. Robinson, OCC, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
The Hon. Basdeo Panday, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, and Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government
Other Distinguished Heads of State and Government
Distinguished Prime Minister of Spain
President of the Senate of Trinidad and Tobago
Hon. Speaker of the House of Trinidad and Tobago
Hon. Chief Justice
Hon. Ministers of Government
Secretary-General of the Commonwealth
Distinguished Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago
Other Colleague Heads of Government
Secretary General
Ladies and Gentlemen_
In 1986, the Rt. Excellent Errol Barrow closed what was to be his final address to this Conference of Heads by citing the words of John Bunyan in Pilgrim's Progress_
"Though with much difficulty I have come hither, yet do I not repent me of the trouble I have taken".
He was obviously also speaking on my behalf.
Esteemed Colleagues,
Distinguished Ministers of Foreign Affairs,
Distinguished Ambassadors,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is, indeed, a great pleasure for me to attend the Twentieth Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government in Trinidad and Tobago. I would like to express my thanks to the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago for the gracious hospitality extended to my delegation and me.
PROFESSOR JOYCELIN MASSIAH
Professor Joycelin Massiah, born in Guyana, citizen of Barbados with several years of service in Jamaica, is a Caribbean Woman whose entire life has been one of service in response to the pressing challenges of the Region. For three decades she has been involved in every aspect of Caribbean society, particularly as it relates to the role of women and their pivotal position in the family.
Your excellency the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Your Excellency the Prime Minister of Spain
The Hon. Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and
Chairman of the Caribbean Community
Heads of Government
Secretary-General Carrington
Distinguished Delegates
Ladies and Gentlemen_
It is my singular pleasure to extend a warm welcome to this distinguished assembly, at this opening ceremony of the Twentieth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community.
I extend this welcome on behalf of the people and the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.