INTRODUCTION
More than one hundred delegates assembled at the Princess Hotel in Belize City, Belize on 3-5 February 2002 for the Thirteenth Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, presided over by Hon. Said Musa, Prime Minister of Belize and Chairman of the Caribbean Community. Among those in attendance were: Hon. Lester B. Bird, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda; Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham, Prime Minister of The Bahamas; Rt. Hon. Owen S. Arthur, Prime Minister of Barbados; Hon. Pierre Charles, Prime Minister of Dominica; H.E. Bharrat Jagdeo, President of Guyana; Rt. Hon. P.J. Patterson, Prime Minister of Jamaica; Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis; Dr. the Hon. Kenny D. Anthony, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia; Dr. the Hon. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines; and H.E. Runaldo R. Venetiaan, President of Suriname. Grenada was represented by the Hon. Elvin Nimrod, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade; and Trinidad and Tobago by Senator the Hon. Knowlson Gift, Minister of Foreign Affairs. Haiti was represented by H.E. Phillipe Joseph Antonio, Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Hon. McKeeva Bush, Leader of Government Business represented the Cayman Islands.
In his welcoming remarks, the Chairman stressed the importance of accelerating the pace toward achieving the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and the role of Belize as a bridge between the Caribbean and Central America, the Heads of Government of which sub-regions, were due to meet immediately after the Inter-Sessional Meeting. The Rt. Hon Hubert Ingraham, Prime Minister of The Bahamas, reflecting on his tenure as immediate past Chairman, during which the Caribbean experienced the impact of September 11, 2001, urged the Community to continue to work toward a coherent policy to ensure greater regional competitiveness in the global system.
THE AGENDA
The major items on a packed agenda included: the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy; an Interim Report of the Regional Task Force on Crime and Drugs; CARICOM’s Response to the Situation in Haiti; the Closure of the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC); and the CARICOM Mission to Trinidad and Tobago to discuss the electoral impasse.
The Meeting also dealt with upcoming regional Conferences including the follow-up to the Caribbean Tourism Summit in The Bahamas (October 2001) and preparations for the Forward Together Civil Society Conference in Barbados (April 2002). It discussed issues of concern to the Caribbean at up-coming international conferences; the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, Australia, 2-5, March; the UN Conference on Financing for Development, Monterrey, Mexico, 24 March 2002; the Caribbean-UK Ministerial Forum, Guyana 3-5 April 2002; CARICOM-Spain Summit, 16 May 2002; Second European-Latin American Summit, Madrid, Spain, 17 May; and the UN Special Session on Children 8-11 May, 2002.
One of the highlights of the Meeting was the signing of six (6) Community Instruments by Heads of Government, dealing with the Caribbean Single Market and Economy. Another was the accession of the Cayman Islands and Bermuda as Associate Members of the Community.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CARICOM SINGLE MARKET AND ECONOMY (CSME)
The Community took a giant step forward towards the establishment of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) with the approval by the Conference of the Programmes for the Removal of the Restrictions on the Right of Establishment, the Provision of Services and the Movement of Capital as is required by Member States in fulfillment of their obligations under Protocol II. This is to be effective 1 March 2002, and Member States have made the commitment that by the year 2005, they would have removed all restrictions which they cannot immediately remove. This would bring to completion, the Single Market for goods, services, capital and significant movement of persons, adding self-employed service providers, entrepreneurs together with their managerial, technical and supervisory staff, spouses and dependent family members to the categories of university graduates, media workers, musicians, artistes and sportspersons.
Heads of Government also moved to complete the basic legal framework for the introduction of the CSME with the signing of three key Instruments: a Protocol which provides for the transition from the Community and Common Market (the Treaty of Chaguaramas) to the Community, including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy; a Protocol for the Declaration of Provisional Application of the Revised Treaty pending ratification; and the Inter-Governmental Agreement Establishing the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ).
STATUS OF DEVELOPMENTS RELATING TO THE CARIBBEAN COURT OF JUSTICE (CCJ) INCLUDING REPORT OF THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE TO THE CCJ
The Conference recommitted itself to the early establishment of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) and established a Joint Committee consisting of Attorneys-General and Senior Finance Officials to meet with a representative of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to work out the details regarding the financing of the Court.
INTERIM REPORT OF THE REGIONAL TASK FORCE ON CRIME AND SECURITY ON ITS AGENDA AND PRIORITIES OF WORK
The Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), received an Interim Report from the Regional Task Force which was established at its Twenty-Second Meeting held in Nassau, The Bahamas in July 2001, in the light of the new forms of crime and violence that continue to pose threats to security. The Task Force, comprising representatives from each of the Member States, the Regional Security System (RSS), the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP), and the Regional Secretariats, was presided over by a nominee of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Security (Trinidad and Tobago). At the Special (Emergency) Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in Nassau (October 2001) the Terms of Reference of the Task Force were broadened to deal with the overall threats to regional security. These included crime and violence, regional cooperation to interdict the illicit trafficking of drugs and firearms, the impact of deportees on crime and security in the Region, counter terrorist plans, information and intelligence sharing, and the legal framework required to facilitate collaboration and cooperation among the security forces within the Region.
The Report was presented to Heads in Caucus, and they agreed to extend the life of the Task Force to 31 July 2002, and thus provide more time for follow-up work required. The Heads of Government emphasised the need for greater attention to be given to the underlying causes of crime and their impact on all aspects of society as well as identifying remedial measures and policies to be implemented. In this regard, Heads of Government believe that it is imperative to establish mechanisms for information-sharing to combat crime, and the related trafficking in illicit drugs and firearms. Common strategies on deportees and maritime and aviation cooperation are also important areas addressed by the Task Force that require further investigation.
Heads of Government also endorsed the recommendations of the High-Level Meeting on Drugs and Crime, co-sponsored by CARICOM and United Nations Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) held in Trinidad and Tobago on 4-6 December 2001 and expects that further cooperation would assist in the development of preventative strategies required to deal with both the demand and supply side of the drug question and its links to crime and violence.
MEDIA: THE CLOSURE OF THE CARIBBEAN MEDIA CORPORATION (CMC) AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CARIBBEAN
In relation to the temporary closure of the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) effected 4 January 2002, Heads of Government recognised the vital role of Information and Communication in regional development and integration. They agreed, in principle, with the recommendations and comments submitted by the Special (Emergency) Meeting of Ministers responsible for Information, convened in Antigua and Barbuda on 28 January 2002, on the matter of rescue funding for the CMC.
To decide on appropriate arrangements for financial injection into the CMC, the Heads of Government requested that under the direction of the Caribbean Community Secretariat, a management audit and comprehensive business plan outlining a cause for CMC’s future. These are to be ready for consideration by the follow-up Meeting of Ministers of Information to be held by mid-April 2002.
POLITICAL SITUATION IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Heads of Government commended the work of the CARICOM Team which visited Trinidad and Tobago on 28-29 January 2002, led by the Rt. Hon. Hubert Ingraham, Prime Minister of The Bahamas, and including Dr. the Hon. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Mr. Edwin Carrington, Secretary-General of CARICOM, which had met with His Excellency Arthur N.R. Robinson, President of Trinidad and Tobago; the Hon. Patrick Manning, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago; and Mr. Basdeo Panday, Political Leader of the United National Congress (UNC) in an effort to assist in the process of resolving the political impasse in that sister CARICOM State, following the general elections on 10 December 2001.
They reaffirmed the offer made by the Team that CARICOM would continue to make its good offices available to help advance the process.
Heads of Government applauded the process of continuing dialogue between the two parties and appealed to both Prime Minister Manning and Mr. Panday to do all in their power to ensure that Trinidad and Tobago, through the effective functioning of its Parliamentary institutions, moves towards fresh elections. They agreed to issue the following Statement on the current political situation in Trinidad and Tobago.
STATEMENT BY THE CONFERENCE OF HEADS OF GOVERNMENT ON THE CURRENT POLITICAL SITUATION IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
| The CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in Belize at the Thirteenth Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government at which the Government of Trinidad and Tobago was duly represented by its Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon. Knowlson Gift, considered as a matter of utmost importance and urgency, the prevailing political situation in Trinidad and Tobago, following the results of the December 10 Elections, which saw both the major political parties having 18 seats each in the 36 seat House of Representatives.
The Heads received a Report from the 3-member Mission sent to Trinidad and Tobago by the Bureau on 28-29 January with a view to providing such assistance as the Community is capable of, so as to help in resolving the current difficulties. The Heads of Government commended the Mission for the work it had done and reaffirmed the Community’s readiness to provide such assistance, including technical assistance in relation to upgrading the work of the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) in preparing the voters list and revising the electoral process. The Heads of Government applauded the ongoing dialogue between the Hon. Patrick Manning, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and Mr. Basdeo Panday, Leader of the United National Congress (UNC), and exhorted them to move speedily to agreement on arrangements which would permit the Opening of Parliament, the election of a Speaker and the effective functioning of Parliament, until fresh elections can be held. The Heads of Government were of the view that this process can be facilitated through the recognition and acceptance by all parties of their responsibility for the good governance and orderly development of Trinidad and Tobago until fresh elections take place. This, the Community unequivocally and strongly urges. The Heads of Government reaffirmed their commitment to continue to make the Community’s good offices available to help to bring an end to the current impasse. 5 February 2002 |
HAITI
CARICOM’s Special Mission to Haiti 28-31 January 2002 presented its Report to the Caucus of Heads of Government through the Hon. Julian R. Hunte, Leader of the Team of five. The CARICOM Mission was granted audience with President Aristide and with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and their respective advisors. It met with representatives of the Group of Friends of Haiti, the diplomatic and donor communities, the Press and a wide cross-section of Haitian Society, representing the major political parties, the churches, the business community, the media and youth. Among the recommendations approved by Heads of Government are that (a) an independent International Commission of Inquiry be established, sufficiently broad-based to engender confidence in its evaluation of the events of 17 December 2001, and the necessary action to be taken; and (b) CARICOM, in collaboration with other international agencies to assist Haiti’s efforts to strengthen the democratic process, particularly as it relates to the independence of the judiciary, the professionalism of the police force and the rule of law in Haiti. It was agreed that CARICOM will work with the OAS under whose leadership a series of initiatives has been developed and designed towards the resolution of the ongoing impasse affecting the society. Heads of Government supported the recommendation of the Team that every effort should be made to ensure that the two major political groupings, Fanmi Lavales and Le Convergence Democratique be persuaded to resume negotiations on the OAS Resolution on the elections and the electoral process, once the independent international Commission has been established and commences its work. The Conference also urged President Aristide to appoint a Prime Minister urgently, and thereby facilitate more normal functioning of the system of Government. They also stressed the importance of the honouring of the eight (8) commitments by Haiti to the former US President as a condition for resolving the political impasse.
CIVIL SOCIETY
At least eight (8) Heads of Government indicated their intention to participate in the High-Level Forward Together Conference of Civil Society to be held in Barbados, 29-30 April 2002. The unique high level consultation proposed by the Conference of Heads of Government in 1999, is intended to engage Government and Civil Society representatives on a full range of issues aimed at strengthening the understanding and broad-based stakeholder consultation in determining the way forward for the Region. The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) are among the agencies that have agreed to collaborate in this venture.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES
(i) Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, Australia, 2-5 March 2002
| Heads of Government reviewed the preparations for the Meeting of Commonwealth Heads of Government (2002) which will take place in Brisbane, Australia. They noted with disappointment that the Commonwealth Summit on Small States, proposed for July 2002, has been cancelled. In this connection, they recognised that the Meeting of the Ministerial Group on Small States (CMGSS) to be held on the eve of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference in Australia from 2-5 March 2002, assumes greater importance in terms of setting the agenda for small states by the Commonwealth and Multilateral Institutions, such as the World Bank and the World Trade Organisation. It also noted that the situation on Zimbabwe would be under consideration with a focus on possible sanctions by the Commonwealth.
Heads of Government decided that the Caribbean should be fully represented at the CMGSS and should make strong representation for the inclusion in the Work Programme of the Commonwealth and Multilateral Institutions of the economic and development issues that small states regard as vital to their survival and progress. |
(ii) Second European Union-Latin America and Caribbean Summit, 18 May 2002
| Heads of Government received an update on the preparations for the Second European Union-Latin America and Caribbean Summit, Madrid Spain, 17-18 May 2002. They addressed specific issues which have emerged in the preparations and provided guidance to Caribbean diplomatic representatives who are engaged in the preparatory process in Brussels. Heads of Government reiterated the commitment of the Region to participate in the Summit and for the Region to continue to be integrally involved in the preparations. |
(iii) CARICOM-Spain Summit, 16 May 2002
| Heads of Government also reaffirmed their acceptance of the invitation from the Prime Minister of Spain to meet in a Second CARICOM-Spain Summit in Madrid on 16 May 2002. The Summit will examine the status of follow-up of the issues agreed to at the First Summit in Trinidad and Tobago on 4 July 1999, and address ways of strengthening cooperation between CARICOM and Spain. |
(iv) UN Conference on Financing for Development, Mexico, 18-22 March 2002
| Heads of Government re-emphasized the importance of the UN Conference on Financing for Development at this time when developing countries, in particular small states, confront myriad challenges to their development. They agreed that CARICOM States would participate in the Conference at high levels and would use the opportunity to keep the international community focussed on the need to support and facilitate development, to encourage confidence in the multilateral system towards development and to recognise that good internal policies require a supporting international environment. Heads of Government have nominated the Governments of Barbados and Saint Lucia to coordinate CARICOM’s participation in the Conference. |
(v) Tourism
| Heads of Government received a report on the action being taken to implement the decisions made at the Tourism Summit in The Bahamas on 8-9 December 2001. They were pleased to note that CARICOM Governments have in place their US$4 million contribution to the US$16 million television advertising campaign. They stressed the importance of all partners urgently meeting their commitment to permit the launch of the programme in April 2002. To that end, they agreed to instruct their Ministers to the Caribbean Tourism Organisation Board of Governors Meeting on 8 February 2002, to ensure that all parties are ready to support a truly cooperative public/private sector programme. |
(vi) CARICOM-SICA Summit, Belize, 5 February 2002
| Heads of Government prepared for their First Summit Meeting with the Heads of Government of the Central American Integration System (SICA). They expressed appreciation to the Government of Belize for the initiative in proposing this historic encounter. |
(vii) United Nations Special Session on Children, New York, 8-11May 2002
| Heads of Government noted that this issue was fully discussed at the Community Council on 26 January 2002, on preparation for the UN Special Session on Children, and urged Member States to be represented at the highest possible level. It noted in particular the leading roles of Jamaica which hosted a Ministerial Meeting on Children, resulting in the Kingston Consensus, 2002 and of Belize, that facilitated preparatory consultations. |
TWO SPECIAL CASES – REPAHA and CARDI
The Meeting discussed the future of the Regional Programme for Animal Husbandry and Agriculture (REPAHA) and the Caribbean Agricultural and Research Development Institute (CARDI), and decided that REPAHA be closed, and its operations merged with the Guyana School of Agriculture. In the case of CARDI, plagued by financial difficulties, an interim budget to secure its functioning until September 2002 was approved. The University of the West Indies (UWI) indicated a willingness to assist in the rehabilitation of CARDI, given the emphasis it places on agricultural research and outreach, but this will be dependent on firm commitments from Member Countries about its financing.
REGIONAL NEGOTIATING MACHINERY (RNM)
In his first report to the Conference of Heads of Government, Dr. Richard Bernal, who assumed leadership of the Regional Negotiating Machinery (RNM) as Director-General on 1 December 2001, reported on the ongoing of restructuring of the RNM in keeping with the decisions of the Heads of Government at their Twenty-Second Meeting held in The Bahamas in July 2001.
Heads of Government reviewed the outcome of the Fourth World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial Conference held in Doha, Qatar in November 2001 and the approach to be taken to the work programme of the WTO following the Conferences.
Heads of Government also reviewed the Region’s preparations, led by the RNM, for the upcoming ACP-EU negotiations, and the final phase of negotiations to create a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).
On the recommendation of the Rt. Hon. Percival J. Patterson, Prime Minister of Jamaica, and Chairman of the Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on External Negotiations, Heads of Government approved the allocation of Ministerial assignments for the various negotiations in which the Region will be engaged at the hemispheric, multilateral and bilateral levels.
Heads of Government took the opportunity to pay tribute to Sir Shridath Ramphal for his services to the Region in the capacity of Chief Negotiator of the RNM. Sir Shridath demitted office on 30 November 2001.
Heads of Government expressed their gratitude to the Government and People of Belize for their warm hospitality extended to them during their stay in Belize and for the excellent administrative arrangements made for the successful conduct of the Meeting.
CARICOM Secretariat
Belize City, Belize
5 February 2002
STATEMENT ON CARICOM SPECIAL MISSION TO HAITI
CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in Belize at the Thirteenth Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government at which the Government of Haiti was represented by its Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Joseph Phillipe Antonio, received the Report of the CARICOM Special Mission to Haiti, which took place on 28-31 January 2002 under the leadership of the Hon. Julian R. Hunte, Minister of External Affairs, International Trade and Civil Aviation of Saint Lucia.
Heads of Government recalled that the Special Mission was sent to Haiti by the Bureau of the Conference with a view to assessing the situation in Haiti and report to the Conference on its findings.
Heads of Government commended the Mission for the work it had completed and the wide cross-section of groups with whom it had held discussions.
They welcomed and accepted the recommendations of the Mission that an independent international commission of inquiry be established, sufficiently broad-based, to engender confidence in its evaluation of the events of 17 December 2001 and the necessary remedial actions to be taken; that CARICOM be represented on that Commission and that CARICOM should play an active role in efforts to strengthen the democratic process, particularly as it relates to the independence of the judiciary, the professionalism of the police force, and the maintenance of the rule of law in Haiti.
Heads of Government CARICOM urge the international community to release funds to Haiti in view of the steps taken by the Government of Haiti to establish an environment of confidence in that country; and that these funds should initially support the strengthening of the democratic pillars of governance as well as provide humanitarian relief to the people of Haiti, particularly in the areas of education and health.
They welcomed the positive response of the Government of Haiti to the provisions of the OAS Resolution on Haiti which called on the Government of Haiti to extend an invitation to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to conduct an on-site visit to Haiti and one to the OAS to send representatives to Haiti to investigate and assess the situation and to assist the Government of Haiti in strengthening its democratic system and institutions.
Heads of Government called on the political parties in Haiti to respond positively to these initiatives by the Government of Haiti by resuming negotiations and signing the Accord. Heads of Government believe that it is essential that a fully functioning Government is appointed to conduct the affairs of Haiti. To that end, they urged the President of Haiti to move quickly to appoint a Prime Minister who is capable of securing the confidence of all parties.
They also commended the Organisation of American States for the critical role it continues to play in resolving the political situation in Haiti and in supporting that Government in strengthening the democratic process in Haiti.
Heads of Government noted the observation by the Team that press freedom and the independence of the media were areas which needed to be addressed, and in which CARICOM could play a role.
They agreed to continue to monitor the situation in Haiti through regular visits to that country, subject to the concurrence of the Government of Haiti, with a view to providing timely technical assistance, as required.
Heads of Government also noted that it was expected that elections of all Parliamentarians elected in May 21, 2000 in Haiti, would be held prior to the end of 2002. Elections for the local officials would be held prior to Haiti’s bicentennial celebrations, in January 2004.
They urged both parties to allow the CEP to play a positive role in the determination of the date.
They also accepted the invitation of the Government of Haiti to CARICOM, to be part of the international observer mission to Haiti’s elections when they are held.
