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ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SURINAME AND CHAIRMAN OF THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY(CARICOM

Esteemed Colleagues,
Esteemed Mr. Vice-President
Members of the Council of Ministers
Madam Speaker of the National Assembly
Representatives of High Councils of State
Distinguished Delegates
Member of the Corps Diplomatique
Ladies and Gentlemen

It is a great honour for the people of Suriname, as well as for me and my Government, to have the representatives of the CARICOM Member States, and at the highest level too, as our guests. I extend a warm welcome especially to you, and I wish you a pleasant and fruitful stay in Suriname.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Not so long ago two great sons of the Caribbean passed away: Dr. William Demas and Mr Kurleigh King who both in the capacity as Secretary-General have made great and significant contributions, particularly in the crucial phase of the development of CARICOM, I ask you to please observe a minute’s silence out of respect for their memory.

Twenty-five years ago the peoples of the Caribbean and their governments decided to unite and form an organisation, the CARICOM, and by the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas this relation of cooperation was established.

Since its recent entry into the organisation Suriname, the youngest CARICOM member, has gained the confidence of the Caribbean peoples and now combines great responsibilities in the politico-administrative sphere, which is quite new in the history of CARICOM.

Thus, Suriname now holds the following offices:

  • chairman of the CARICOM Conference of Heads of Government and the Bureau of Heads of Government;
  • Chairman of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR);
  • Chairman of the Community Council of Ministers

and as a result of these responsibilities, Suriname now has the honour to host the Tenth Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community.

We are keenly aware of the responsibilities emanating from these important functions, and we assure you that we will exercise them prudently.

Ladies and Gentlemen

The characteristic dynamics of the ongoing international development is well-nigh novel. Technological developments, in particular in the fields of information science and communication technology, combined with the formation of political and economic blocs, are causing a dramatic shift in the power relations in the world.

Production methods, production areas, trade and capital flows are subject to changes that are occuring at a great pace. Throughout the world, multinationals are assuming strategic positions in the fields of investment, finance, monetary issues, production, and hence also in the social field. In consequence, this impacts on the definition of the role interpreted by national governments.

Governments will have to exert themselves even more strenuously to keep the role of facilitator they fulfil in development processes within the ambit of their responsibilities. The key concepts being:

  • participative democracy and decentralisation
  • openness of government affairs
  • sound legislative structure; and
  • the marking out of a strategic course towards development

It must be entirely clear that whatever process may take place, the responsibility of national governments, especially in relation to development processes – in the light of a balanced and just distribution of the national wealth – shall not change and will never be consigned to private interest groups. Indeed, their just aspirations after material interests as embedded in Constitutions, more in particular the principle of solidarity and harmony between the social partners, must continue unimpaired.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

For a better understanding of the current position of the Caribbean countries, it is imperative to make, in brief, an analysis of certain decades we, as peoples, have lived through.

Only then will it be possible to better understand the structural consequences those times have had for the political, socioeconomic and social developments in our countries, of which today’s situation is only one result. First there was colonialism, then came the Cold War, and now our countries face uncertainty due to the process of globalisation.

Colonialism has left us a heritage of apparent wealth, shaky economy without any structural or sound basis, and a relation aimed at continuity of donor aid for the purpose of safe guarding the former position of power now exercised in a more subtle manner in order to participate in government, as such affecting the intentions of the newly independent nations as to their sovereignty and reducing the opportunity for an accelerated growth towards independence.

The Cold War is over, the fear of indoctrination by socialism has also passed as well as the physical attention of the industrialised countries, which translated into material facilities intended to offer dependency and partnership in a package of donor aid.

The Caribbean countries are left to their own development with strong, hemispheric partners who often impose their own agenda and take little note of the desires of the smaller economies.

I wish to emphatically state that the current process of globalisation may never result in the political and economic marginalisation of developing countries and in the increased vulnerability of their peoples. All actors in the international community must commit themselves to turn globalisation into the instrument:

  • which the world community may use to eliminate underdevelopment,
  • for definitively relegating disproportionate advantages for strong economies in relation to weak economies to the past and making way for harmonious and well-balanced relations, and,
  • for translating dependence into solidarity with emerging nations in their struggle to achieve sustainable economic development

The process of globalisation is further characterised by forms of cooperation between the countries of Europe, between those of Asia and the Western Hemisphere and in this respect, we may mention as the most important the establishment of the Free Trade Area of the Americas within the framework of the Summit of the Americas and Mercosur.

Ladies and Gentlemen

How do we develop strength, how do we experience our sovereignty, and how do we ourselves chart the path towards sustainable development in the future?

In this context I would like to emphasise that the Caribbean peoples and their governments have made great sacrifices these past decades to preserve democracy and the rule of law, to combat injustice and oppression, and to uphold important values and principles as have just been mentioned also as part of our Caribbean agenda.

Ladies and Gentlemen

In this changing world it is striking that especially the industrialised countries, which have already reached a certain level of welfare and have stabilised such welfare, from a dominant position establish many conditionalities on cooperation and participation by our countries in the relations with them. Conditions which, as they argue, are intended to guarantee democracy and rule of law, peace, safety security and stability in the Region.

In this connection I wish to remark that the balance which should emanate from the reality of the need of the Caribbean agenda is completely lacking, however. Indeed, as threatening to the preservation of democracy, rule of law, stability and peace are the deterioration of the financial and economic position and the negative effect on the circumstances of our peoples. There will be no true, regional integration if heed is not given to the call of the Caribbean to provide adequate support especially for the economies of our countries, which are now exposed to great pressure, by taking care that in the processes of globalisation and liberalisation and of reorganisation of the financial and economic sphere of influence CARICOM member States are ensured that their products will be sold on the world market. In this regard I explicitly mention the marketing of bananas, sugar, rice, rum, shrimp, fish, timber and timber products and of bauxite and petroleum as well.

Another important item on the Caribbean agenda involves access to the international capital market to obtain financial means on favourable terms and conditions, for the strengthening of, among other things, the productive sectors of the economies and for the implementation of programmes to alleviate poverty.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I also make mention of the rescheduling of the complete dismantling of the preferential arrangements within the framework of the Lome deliberations and the WTO negotiations and the establishment of investment funds to be governed by existing Caribbean investment institutions.

The making available, according to a proportionate system, of the means allocated by the IDB, The World Bank, and the Agency for International Development within the framework of the implementation of the Action Plan of the Summit of the Americas is also an issue that forms part of the agenda I just mentioned.

It is therefore only logical and desirable that international financial institutions, private capital and countries with larger, stronger and more robust economies make their investments in conjunction with the CARICOM partners in a manner that is profitable for all parties in order to guarantee the proposed stability throughout the hemisphere in the interest of our collective future.

While the process of the comprehensive economic harmonisation and the establishment of the Single Market and Economy is taking place, CARICOM – with its strategic positioning which is part and parcel of its existence – for the purpose of reaching its goals should continue to identify reliable partners to further develop and establish formal, structural and promising linkages of cooperation, whereas its member countries should continue to actively engage in negotiation processes such as Lome, WTO, and FTAA.

Although their economies and populations are small the CARICOM member countries have made substantial and ample contributions to the current situation in the Region. Moreover, it may be stated unequivocally that this region is characterised by its relative stability, strong democratic traditions and the non-existence of hotbeds.

At the same time, however, the small scale of our states entails a vulnerability which is jeopardised even worse in times when crisis in other regions have a negative and sometimes devastating impact on our economies.

So as to cope with the challenge of the process of globalisation, which is coming about at a fast pace, it is important not only to form strategic alliances but also to fully realise that CARICOM is a strategic alliance in itself . This position should be both starting position and guiding principle for our activities.

The process of integration must be expedited while we should endeavour to better adjust our economies for participation in the modern world economy.

Since the availability of technology, more in particular in the field of communication facilities is conducive to competitiveness, it is of great importance to take care that our countries have at their disposal systems which meet the requirements of a new millennium.

The CARICOM member countries, collectively and individually, shall have to energically develop the human resources in such a manner that these can optimally contribute to the ongoing development processes. As far as CARICOM is concerned it is not a matter of opting for Europe, North, or South America, Asia or Africa, but of simultaneously and functionally developing relations with all these regions, the respective member countries and their organisations on the basis of urgency and for the purpose of establishing effective forms of cooperation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Summit Conference of June, in Rio de Janeiro, can offer countries of Latin America and the Caribbean the opportunity to enter into an alliance at multilateral level, with a strong partner for cooperation, namely the European Union. In the preparatory activities at the diplomatic level, however, this transatlantic bloc must be thoroughly informed about the interests of CARICOM.

I may further say that it is desirable, especially in this period of dynamic economic and trade negotiation processes, to build the negotiation capacity of the Caribbean through, among other things, modernisation and development. The private sector can fulfil a very important role in this connection.

It is of paramount importance that national structuring be carried our in the interest of democracy, and that all social partners and political actors in the Caribbean societies be keenly aware that the sole struggle for power will only have the effect of sharply curbing development and will ultimately place us, both as countries and as cooperative partners, at a decided disadvantage in the ongoing, complex process of developing our economies.

Ladies and Gentlemen

We have a hard battle to fight – politically, economically, strategically, socially, financially and hence also in respect of monetary and security issues. We have to wage this battle from a disadvantaged position in a hard, material world in which actors, despite all expressions of idealism, place their own interests first and foremost on the agenda. Such is the reality of present-day international relations.

As Caribbean Governments we must be aware that we have to adapt to the changed world and circumstances, and to the new rules. Otherwise we shall not benefit from the possibilities and opportunities which are now emerging. We shall have to constantly monitor new developments to secure a significant place in this changing world, which should lead to a single Caribbean agenda; for the world has no “waiting room”.

Despite the fact that we are small economies the sum total of the natural and human resources of the Caribbean offers promising opportunities, while the global developments thrust formidable challenges on the leaders of this region. We must be prepared to approach these challenges with a critical awareness of our capabilities and with confidence and solidarity.

During our deliberations these next days the objectives of CARICOM which were formulated at one time must surely be brought up for discussion. These objectives were based on the following characterisation of economic integration – the process through which the economies of a group of countries are linked together more closely so that extra strength is increasingly added to both the group as a whole and its components. Thus it involves the maximum economic development of the countries.

Ladies and Gentlemen

We must enter the new millennium no less than a strengthened Caribbean with its own political agenda that is an integral part of the global agenda.. CARICOM, focused and equipped on the basis of a modern, practical and sound concept of development, can be a valuable and effective instrument to this end.

We, as Heads of State and Government, have the obligation to make this instrument fully operational in the interest of the sustainable development of our economies and our peoples.

I thank you.
 

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