The Bureau of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community expressed serious concern over the temporary closure of the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC). The media organisation announced its closure last Friday, January 4, 2002.
At its Fourteenth Meeting held on January 10-11 at the Beaches Resort and Spa, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, the four-member Bureau said its concern stemmed from the vital role the regional media must play in the integration process.
The Bureau endorsed the call by the Hon. Lester Bird, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda for a meeting of CARICOM Ministers of Information and called for every effort to be made to convene that meeting prior to the Thirteenth Inter-Sessional meeting of the Conference, to be held in Belize from March 3 to 5 2002.
The Bureau also considered the political situation in Trinidad and Tobago. A Statement will be issued shortly in this regard.
The Bureau comprises the Hon. Said Musa, Prime Minister of Belize and Chairman of CARICOM; the Rt. Hon. Hubert Ingraham, Prime Minister of The Bahamas and Outgoing CARICOM Chairman; H.E. Bharrat Jagdeo, President of Guyana and Incoming Chairman of CARICOM; and Mr. Edwin Carrington, CARICOM Secretary-General. The Hon. S. R. Insanally, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guyana, represented President Jagdeo at the Meeting. The Hon A. Shoman, Foreign Minister of Belize also participated.
The Hon. Derek Taylor, Chief Minister of the Turks and Caicos Islands also attended.
In considering the current political situation in Haiti, the Bureau agreed that the continuing political impasse in Haiti was a matter of increasing concern to the Community. The members reminded all political parties and civil society in that country that they have a critical role to play in ensuring that this situation is resolved in a responsible, flexible and positive manner. In this regard, the Bureau agreed to mount a Mission to Haiti to assess the political situation in and report on its findings to the Thirteenth Inter-Sessional Meeting.
Another major issue considered by the Bureau was the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). The members made a number of important recommendations including urging all Member States and relevant regional institutions to do all in their power to accelerate the process towards the establishment of the CSME. The Bureau also recommended that at the upcoming Inter-Sessional, all Member States sign the Protocol on Provisional Application of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas which has already been approved by the Legal Affairs Committee.
A critical element of the CSME, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), also came under review with a recommendation calling for the finalisation of the technical work relating to the financing of the Court to be completed as soon as possible under the direction of the Council for Finance and Planning (COFAP).
The Bureau in keeping with its statutory responsibility reviewed the draft agenda and the arrangements proposed for the upcoming Thirteenth Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government.
The Bureau concluded its deliberations by expressing its profound appreciation to the Government and people of the Turks and Caicos Islands for their warm hospitality and the excellent arrangements provided for what was the first meeting of any institution of the Caribbean Community in an Associate Member State.
