The Caribbean has begun to prepare for the first of the follow-up meetings with the United States after the May 10 Summit meeting in Barbados between the Region's leaders and US President Bill Clinton.

At that meeting, joint committees were established to achieve the objectives of the Bridgetown Declaration of Principles and to maintain the process of consultation. These committees were identified as Justice and Security and Development, Finance and Environmental Issues, the latter is expected to work in close collaboration with the CARICOM/US Trade and Investment Council.

Two weeks ago, the Caribbean's Justice and Security committee had its first meeting while the Development, Finance and Environmental Issues committee held its first session in Guyana on Tuesday. The Caribbean side of the Trade and Investment Council will meet on Monday September 15 in Trinidad and Tobago.

These sessions are being held to consolidate the Regional position for meetings in Miami, USA and Barbados from September 22-24. The Trade and Investment Council meets in Miami on Monday September 22, to be followed on September 24 by the Development, Finance and Environmental Issues Committee. The Justice and Security Committee will convene in Barbados on September 23 and 24.