The Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community at their just concluded Twentieth Meeting of the Conference, reviewed the political situation in Guyana particularly in the context of the commitments undertaken under the Herdmanston Accord and the Saint Lucia Statement, to which they are a Party. The Heads of Government noted with satisfaction the progress being made towards fulfilling some key objectives of the two Agreements and agreed to redouble their efforts to support the process.
The Heads of Government took particular note of the fact that the work of the Constitution Reform Commission was well on its way towards meeting the scheduled 17 July 1999 deadline for presentation to the National Assembly. That the Report was actually handed in on time on Saturday 17 July justified the hopes of the Heads of Government and no doubt the confidence of the Guyanese people.
The Heads of Government emphasised that the inter-party dialogue was essential to strengthening the confidence of the Guyanese people in the on-going process. In that regard they noted with appreciation the recent effort of the Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku to help restart the process of inter-party dialogue. They also observed that the date of 6 August 1999 has been agreed on for the continuation of the resumed inter-party dialogue between the PPP/Civic and the PNC, with the participation of the CARICOM Facilitator. They recalled the assurance given in the Saint Lucia Statement by the two leaders that “they will themselves meet on a periodic basis to facilitate the achievement of all processes to which they committed their parties by the Herdmanston Accord”.
The Heads of Government expressed their appreciation for the efforts of Mr. Maurice King, the Community’s Facilitator, and looked forward to his continued contribution to the successful completion of the process. They also thanked the Donor Community for its continuing support.
Against the background of these developments, the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community are urgently looking forward to the timely finalisation of the process, initiated by the Herdmanston Accord.
In reaffirmation of their commitment as a Party to the Herdmanston Accord to retain a continuing interest in the implementation of the undertakings therein, and in their general determination to continue to give all possible support to the process of political normalisation in Guyana, the Heads of Government decided that Dr the Hon Kenny D. Anthony, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, would assume the lead responsibility on their behalf, in this respect.
