The Participants of the UK/Caribbean Forum, meeting in London on 11 and 12 May 2004, took note of a report from Belize in relation to the ongoing process to reach a just, equitable and permanent solution to the territorial differendum between Belize and Guatemala within the framework of the Organisation of American States (OAS).
Today, 1 May 2004, CARICOM joins with the rest of the international community in taking note and extending its best wishes to the European Community on the historic step taken by its people, in expanding the membership of their Community from 15 to 25 States. Both the size and nature of the expansion demonstrates the enormity of their confidence in the process of regional integration as a vehicle for the improvement of the quality of their lives.
1. The Third General Meeting between the United Nations Secretariat, specialized agencies, programmes and funds and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat and associated institutions was convened in New York on 12 and13 April 2004. The CARICOM Delegation was led by Secretary-General, Mr. Edwin W. Carrington. The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Ms. Louise Fréchette, opened the meeting on behalf of the UN system. The meeting was attended by a number of senior and other UN officials.
Hon. John Rahael, Minister of Health of Trinidad and Tobago
Assistant Director of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), Dr. Carissa Etienne
Chairman of the Governing Council of the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC),
Dr. Bhoe Tewarie and Members of the CAREC Council
Director of CAREC, Dr. James Hospedales and his Management team and staff
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Members of the Media
Other Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
The presence of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Electoral Observer Mission in Antigua and Barbuda arose from a request from the Government of Antigua and Barbuda to monitor the General Elections held on Tuesday 23 March 2004. In response, the Caribbean Community agreed to mount a nine-person Electoral Observer Mission.
Your Excellency
It is with great pleasure that I receive this letter from Secretary of State Colin Powell, designating you as Plenipotentiary Representative of the United States of America to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
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Heads of Government meeting at the Fifteenth Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference in Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, carefully considered the developments in Haiti since their special Emergency Meeting in Jamaica in March 2004. They also considered issues related to the representation of Haiti within the Community and the modalities for engagement between the Community and the Haitian nation. |
Mr. Chairman
Distinguished Heads of State and Government
Delegates:
The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, the Honourable Baldwin Spencer, is unable to be here with us in St. Kitts & Nevis for this meeting.
He has asked me to convey his sincere regret to his colleagues and to the meeting at being unable, two days after a general election, to take himself away from the urgent tasks involved in forming a government. He sends his best wishes for successful deliberations.
The Caribbean Community has demonstrated considerable diplomatic capacity in formulating the CARICOM Initiative in respect of the ongoing Haitian political crisis. CARICOM has achieved as well a remarkable sense of unity in its response to the aftermath of former President Aristide’s sudden departure from office on the 29th of February. These have earned marked respect from sections of the International Community and the majority of our Caribbean citizens, local and foreign alike.
CARICOM under my Chairmanship has been deeply involved in the search for a solution to the political crisis in Haiti.
Following the departure of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide a new President has taken the Oath of Office.