Heads of Government were informed that experts from the Pan American Institute of Geography and History (PAIGH) have determined the precise coordinates of the reference markers at Gracias a Dios, Garbutt's Falls and at the Mexican frontier in the north, the three points referred to in the 1859 "Convention between Great Britain and Guatemala relative to the Boundary of British Honduras"; and that they have drawn a line between these points on a map to show the line that divides the two countries.
Member
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;
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.
On Thursday the Regional HIV/AIDS task force will convene it'sĀ fifth meeting with the specific objective of formulating the plan of action for the European Commission-funded project aimed at strengthening the institutional response to HIV/AIDS/STI in the Caribbean. This meeting, which will be held at the Hilton Hotel in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, is also the first of the project advisory group.
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.
Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and CANADA, at their Sixth Summit Meeting at Montego Bay, Jamaica, on 19 January 2001,
Having considered recent developments in Belize-Guatemala relations;
Welcoming the fact that on 8 November, 2000 Belize and Guatemala signed an Agreement on Confidence Building Measures witnessed by the Permanent Council of the Organisation of American States;
The Tenth Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development [COTED] of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) received information from the Minister representing Belize on recent developments in the Belize-Guatemala border dispute.
Good Morning Colleague Ministers
Heads of Delegation and Delegates
Secretary-General and staff of the Caribbean Community Secretariat
Officials of the Regional Negotiating Machinery
Representatives of Associated Institutions and especially the Private Sector
Members of the Press
Ladies, Gentlemen, Friends, Cuba and the Dominican Republic Representatives
A very pleasant morning to you all! Let me take this opportunity to extend to all of you best wishes and successes for the new year 2001.