The Caribbean Community has lost one of its most outstanding sons with the passing of Sir Harold St John.

The former Prime Minister of Barbados served his country and the Region with an unwavering commitment for more than four decades during which his insightful and incisive views were of tremendous benefit to both country and Region.

Sir Harold had outstanding achievements in both politics and the law, particularly when he came to office as Barbados’s Prime Minister at a traumatic time in the nation’s history.

His negotiating skills were much appreciated in various fora as he sought his country or the Caribbean’s interest. As Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community and in other stations in life, I have benefited on numerous occasions from the wisdom of Sir Harold’s advice. During my tenure with the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of states, I was particularly privileged to work under his brilliant leadership in the “negotiations for the trade regime of the Second Lomé Convention with the European Community.

On behalf of the Caribbean Community, the staff of its Secretariat and on my own behalf, I extend sincere condolences to his dear wife Stella and the other members of his family and to the government and people of Barbados on their great loss.

The Caribbean Community avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Barbados, the assurances of its highest consideration.

Georgetown, Guyana
2 March 2004