The Second Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) was held in Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis on 13-14 May 1999.
St Kitts/Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago have advanced to the finals of the CARICOM 25TH Anniversary Regional Secondary Schools Debating Competition following the semi-finals in Dominica and Trinidad and Tobago on Friday last.
The team from St. Kitts/Nevis successfully argued that "The Growth of Tourism in the Region has a Negative Effect on Caribbean Identity" and defeated the home team Dominica who made their first appearance in the competition.
Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines the Rt Hon Sir James Mitchell and the Prime Minister of Dominica, the Hon Edison James are in St Kitts/Nevis holding discussions with the principals involved in the secession issue.
The Caribbean Community is relieved at the decision on the part of the people of Nevis to remain in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. This has ensured the continued integrity of the State. It has also provided what could be the last chance for all with the interests of the people of St. Kitts and Nevis at heart to work together to eliminate the root causes of the problems plaguing relations between the two islands comprising that State.
(CARICOM Secretariat, Georgetown, Guyana) The people of Nevis, a part of the Federation of St.Kitts/Nevis, have a right to self-determination, but the Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Mr. Edwin Carrington says they should at least have the maximum information on the pros and cons of secession before voting in a referendum on 10 August, 1998.
(CARICOM Secretariat, Georgetown, Guyana) The Caribbean Community heard with surprise and disappointment the recent announcement by the Premier of Nevis, that the Nevis Administration would be proceeding with the holding of a referendum on 10 August 1998, with a view to seceding from the State of St. Kitts and Nevis. The Community views this development with grave concern.