The Caribbean Community has learnt with concern of the growing tension between two of its Member States - Guyana and Suriname - over border issues.

The Community welcomes however, the process of dialogue to which the two Parties have resorted and expresses the hope that they will find, through that constructive approach, a mutually satisfactory solution to the current difficulties.

The Community offers all possible encouragement to the two Parties in this approach and calls on them to avoid at all cost any escalation of the present tension.

The Community also wishes to remind the two Parties of their responsibility to the Community for the maintenance of peace and stability to which all Member States are committed, and in the absence of which the well being of the people of the Community can be so easily jeopardised.

The Community and its various institutions stand ready, within their capacity, to provide to the two Parties whatever assistance they may require in the resolution of their current difficulties.

Dr. the Hon. Denzil L Douglas
Chairman of CARICOM
and Prime Minister
Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis
9 June, 2000