Georgetown: 21 December 2005

(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) CARICOM Secretary-General Edwin W. Carrington has expressed his deep sorrow and that of the staff of the Secretariat, to the Government and People of the Bahamas; in particular families who lost dear ones in the recent crash of a seaplane near Miami on Monday, 19 December 2005.

In his communication the Secretary-General said:

“The loss of dear ones is always difficult to accept. This tragic loss as families of the tightly-knit community of Bimini Islands prepare for Christmas, a traditional time in the Caribbean for family gatherings, will be the source of deep pain and sorrow among those left behind to grief. We at the Secretariat share that grief”.

The Note continued:

“We pray at this time that the indomitable spirit which buoys us in our most trying times will be a source of comfort to the family and friends of those who have died and will assist them in overcoming this tragedy.”

The Bahamas became a Member State of the Caribbean Community on 4 July 1983.