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COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE EIGHTH INTER-SESSIONAL MEETING OF THE CONFERENCE OF HEADS OF GOVERNMENT OF THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY,20-21 FEBRUARY, 1997, ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

The Eighth Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, was held in St. John=s, Antigua and Barbuda, on 20-21 February 1997 with an Opening Ceremony on the evening of 19 February 1997.

Heads of Government in attendance were: Hon. Lester B. Bird, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antigua and Barbuda; Rt. Hon. Owen Arthur, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Barbados; the Rt. Hon. Manuel Esquivel, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Belize; Hon. Edison James, Prime Minister and Minister of External Affairs, Legal Affairs and Labour, Dominica; Rt. Hon. Percival J. Patterson, Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Jamaica; Hon. Bertrand Osborne, Chief Minister, Montserrat; Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Planning and National Security, St. Kitts and Nevis; Dr. the Hon. Vaughan Lewis, CBE, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Planning and Development, Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs and Information, Saint Lucia; Rt. Hon. Sir James E. Mitchell, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, St. Vincent and the Grenadines; H.E. Dr. Jules A. Wijdenbosch, President of the Republic of Suriname, and Hon. Basdeo Panday, Prime Minister, Trinidad and Tobago.

Hon. Janet Bostwick, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister with responsibility for CARICOM Affairs and Attorney-General, The Bahamas; Dr. Havelock Brewster, Ambassador to Belgium and to the European Union, Guyana; and Dr. the Hon. Raphael Fletcher, Minister of Legal Affairs and Local Government, with assignment for Physical Planning, Foreign Affairs; Grenada, represented their respective countries. The British Virgin Islands was represented by the Chief Minister, the Hon. Ralph T. O=Neal. Also in attendance were the President of the Dominican Republic, His Excellency Dr. Leonel Fernandez and the President of the Republic of Haiti, His Excellency René Preval. Former Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Rt. Hon. Vere C. Bird, the only surviving signatory of the Treaty signed at Dickensen Bay, Antigua and Barbuda, to establish the Caribbean Free Trade Area in 1965, attended the Opening Ceremony as a Special Guest.

Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony was chaired by Mr. Edwin Carrington, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

In his statement, the Secretary-General traced the evolution, achievements and shortcomings of regional integration in the Commonwealth Caribbean and beyond, from the unsuccessful federal experiment, the launching of CARIFTA, the establishment of the Caribbean Community and Common Market, the successful CARICOM initiative for the creation of the Association of Caribbean States as well as its own thrust towards the establishment of a CARICOM Single Market and Economy. The Secretary-General also heralded the formal adoption and opening for signature at the present Meeting, of the Protocol Amending the Treaty establishing the Caribbean Community and the Charter of Civil Society. These developments were recognised as a major advance towards ever closer regional union among the Government and people of the Caribbean. In effect, the Community was instituting structures of unity and governance of the Caribbean Community.

The Secretary-General expressed his satisfaction at the presence at the Meeting of the President of the Dominican Republic and the President of the Republic of Haiti: a manifestation of the drive to define a Caribbean which moves in unison into the 21st Century. He also expressed his deep sorrow at the severe illness that suddenly befell His Excellency, the President of Guyana, Dr Cheddi Jagan and offered an earnest prayer for his speedy recovery.

Deep and abiding sorrow was also expressed to the Government and people of the Bahamas on the irreparable loss of their Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing, the Hon. Charles Virgill.

Statements were also made by the Hon. Lester Bird, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda and Chairman in Office of the Conference of Heads of Government. Hon. Bertrand Osborne, Chief Minister of Montserrat responded on behalf of visiting delegates.

The Opening Ceremony was addressed by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Haiti, Mr. René Prevál. His Excellency the President of the Dominican Republic, Dr. Leonel Fernandez. addressed the Conference at the first Working Session.

In his statement, the Hon. Lester Bird, in welcoming the visiting delegations, regretted the absence, due to illness, of His Excellency the President of Guyana, Dr. Cheddi Jagan. He lauded Dr. Jagan=s legendary fighting spirit and requested the Secretary-General to extend to the President=s family and to the Government and people of Guyana, best wishes for his speedy recovery. The Chairman of the Conference also recognised the presence of His Excellency the President of the Dominican Republic and the President of the Republic of Haiti who had been invited to participate in the collective discussion on Caribbean-EU relations following the expiry of the Lomé IV Convention. He urged that the Dominican Republic and the Republic of Haiti either join the Caribbean Community in harmonising policies wherever possible, or in integrating the economic systems of the CARIFORUM countries.

The Chairman of the Conference also welcomed the imminent formal adoption and signature of the Protocol to Amend the Treaty of Chaguaramas, in particular those aspects relating to the process of decision-making within the Community. He observed that this Protocol constituted the first amendment of the Treaty of Chaguaramas since its signature in 1973.

In this regard, he saluted the Founding Fathers of this phase of regional integration, in particular, the Hon. Michael Manley, the former Prime Minister of Jamaica, the only surviving signatory of the Treaty of Chaguaramas. The Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community was requested to convey the Conference=s recognition of his efforts in the cause of the Community and to extend best wishes for improvement in his health. Deepest sympathy was also expressed to the bereaved family of the late Milton Cato, the first Prime Minister of that country and to the Government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Chairman of the Conference reiterated his advocacy of the introduction of effective standing machinery for the implementation of Community decisions. He reported on the interaction between the Community and the United States of America Authorities leading to the proposed CARICOM-US Summit in May 1997. This, in his view, was a matter that must command the attention of the Community since the meeting can be used to define the structure of CARICOM-US relations into the 21st Century. The Chairman also joined the Secretary-General in saluting the Rt. Hon. V.C. Bird, the former Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, who, together with the Premiers of Barbados and Guyana, signed the Treaty that established the CARIFTA.

For his part, the President of the Republic of Haiti expressed his gratitude for the invitation and for the hospitality extended to his delegation in Antigua and Barbuda. He expressed the profound appreciation of the support provided by CARICOM in the restoration of constitutionality and democracy to Haiti thus facilitating its participation in regional and other fora, such as CARIFORUM. He reviewed the evolution of the international economy, in particular the fact that preferential trading arrangements, such as those provided for under Lomé IV, had now fallen victim to political change and to the move towards a globalised free market. In this context, he expressed concern that the result of negotiations between the ACP and EU might not be to the Region=s satisfaction. The importance of Caribbean-European collaboration and partnership was emphasised as was the need on the part of the Region, to successfully manage adaptation to the modern trading system. The President proposed that meetings embracing the CARIFORUM countries be convened with greater frequency.

In responding at the Opening Session on behalf of the visiting delegations, the Chief Minister of Montserrat, the Hon. Bertrand Osborne, expressed his continued recognition and appreciation of the close relations that existed between Montserrat and the Host Country especially during the past 19 months of volcanic activity on that island. The support of other CARICOM partners during this and other crises was also acknowledged. The Chief Minister, referring to the vulnerability and susceptibility of the Region to natural disasters, and to developments on the international scene, pointed to the imperative of a robust regional integration movement. Regional initiatives such as the formal adoption and signature of the Protocol to Amend the Treaty of Chagauramas and the Charter of Civil Society as well as initiatives leading to the establishment of the Association of Caribbean States were recognised as timely moves to enhance integration.

Finally, on behalf of all visiting delegations, the Chief Minister expressed to the Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda, their gratitude for their hosting of the Meeting. Regret was expressed on the inability of H.E. Dr. Cheddi Jagan, President of Guyana to attend. Best wishes were expressed for his speedy recovery.

The President of the Dominican Republic addressing the Conference on 20 February 1997 also expressed his gratitude for the invitation extended by the Conference of Heads of Government and for the hospitality extended to his delegation by the Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda.

The President briefly reviewed the far-reaching implications of European cooperation policy and for the future of ACP-EU relations, of the international economic, social and political changes that had occurred since the signing of the First Financial Protocol under the Fourth Lomé Convention.

The President also recorded his country=s perspective on the Region=s need to enhance negotiating capacity, develop trade data and improve the quality of production. In that connection, cooperation with the EU should combine subsidies, investment and trade with a gradual change towards liberalisation, and that both necessities and good use of the resources should be considered as criteria for the support. Partnership should continue to be a guiding principle in the conduct of ACP-EU relations. The importance of cooperation among ACP countries themselves was emphasised. Referring to the human costs of underdevelopment, the President urged coordination between Member States of the EU and the World Bank and the IMF to guarantee coherence with the EU stated goals of poverty eradication and gradual integration of developing countries into the global economy.

Signing of the Protocol Amending the Treaty establishing the Caribbean Community
and of the Charter of Civil Society

On 19 February 1997, the Heads of Government participated in a special ceremony to execute the Charter of Civil Society and the Protocol Amending the Treaty Establishing the Caribbean Community whose entry into force will constitute a significant first-step in the establishment of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy. The Protocol, which establishes a number of New Organs, Institutions and Procedures of the Caribbean Community, is the first in a series of instruments being elaborated in accordance with decisions adopted by the Conference of Heads of Government at its Special Meeting in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, in October 1992, to revise the Treaty of Chaguaramas. This Protocol confirms the status of the Community as an association of sovereign states, reaffirms the status of the Conference as the Supreme Organ of the Community, establishes more efficient and flexible procedures for decision-making and rationalises the organisational structure of the Community. Consonant with the perception of the West Indian Commission which recommended its development and adoption, the Charter of Civil Society is declaratory and does not itself create legally binding obligations. However, it consolidates various obligations and undertakings assumed by CARICOM States in relation to good governance, including respect for civil, political and economic rights and the rule of law.

The Caribbean Regional Indicative Programme

The Caribbean Regional Indicative Programme (CRIP) under the Second Financial Protocol of the Lomé IV Convention was signed by Mr. Edwin Carrington, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) of African, Caribbean and Pacific Sates and Mr. Athanassios Theodorakis, Deputy Director-General, Directorate General for Development, Commission of the European Union.

The Agreement whose duration extends to the year 2000 will provide for the financing of regional projects under the Second Financial Protocol of the Lomé IV Convention. The financial resources to be provided by the EU for the CRIP amount to some ECU 90 million (US $110m).

An additional sum of ECU 14 million from other European Commission sources would be made available to assist in financing some aspects of the Action Plan for Drug Control in the Caribbean which was adopted in Barbados in 1996. The new Agreement would ensure more timely implementation of projects.

Mr. Theodorakis conveyed to the Government and people of Montserrat, the continuing solidarity of Commissioner Pinheiro in connection with the threat posed by the Soufriere Hills volcano.

The satisfaction of the EU with the development of closer relations between the Caribbean Community and the Dominican Republic and the Republic of Haiti was highlighted as were, inter-alia, the role of the Caribbean in the restoration of democracy in the Republic of Haiti, the accommodation of Cuba in the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) and the participation of the Caribbean in wider hemispheric activities in the spirit of open regionalism.

The total allocation to national indicative programmes of CARIFORUM Member States, amounting to ECU 543 million ($685m) represented a significant effort in comparison with the efforts of other international donors. There was also the possibility of concessional funds from the European Investment Bank. In the ensuing three years, the representative of the EU indicated, emphasis will be placed on efficiency, transparency and performance-oriented cooperation, as well as on the concentration of resources on a limited number of sectors with a view to securing a greater level of balance among programmes.

The Post-Lomé IV Caribbean-EU Relationship

The Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community together with the President of the Dominican Republic and the President of the Republic of Haiti held a Retreat at Jumby Bay, Long Island, to consider the Caribbean approach to the relationship with the European Union after the expiry of the Lomé IV Convention. The participation of the Dominican Republic and the Republic of Haiti signals the involvement of all CARIFORUM Member States in the preparation process. These two Governments pledged to be part of the process which CARICOM had initiated with respect to the preparation for the negotiations of a successor agreement to Lomé IV. Heads of Government reaffirmed that the Caribbean placed significant importance on the Region=s relationship with the EU and that they were determined to maintain and enhance that relationship following the expiry of Lomé IV.

They also reaffirmed the Region=s intention to maintain solidarity with the wider ACP Group as a single, cohesive entity in their future relationship with the EU and restated the commitment of the Caribbean countries to work for a new ACP-EU arrangement that reflects their needs and interests as well as those of other ACP countries.

The Heads of Government acknowledged that the increasing globalisation of the world economy and hemispheric developments, including the initiative towards the creation of a Free Trade Area of the Americas, could, conceivably, have implications for the Region=s future relationship with the European Union. They expressed their determination to enter into any economic or political relationship that would enhance or contribute to the development of the Region. In that regard, they did not consider their various relationships with Europe, with the proposed FTAA or with any other grouping to be mutually exclusive. They decided on policy guidelines for the formulation of Caribbean positions for negotiating the ACP-EU relationship following the expiry of the Lomé IV Convention.

The Heads of Government expressed the view that any further ACP-EU relationship following the expiry of the Lomé IV Convention, should safeguard the Sugar, Rum and Banana Protocols, as well as to protect and improve the trade arrangements for rice.

They further expressed the view that the post-Lomé arrangements should contain provisions to facilitate development in new and critical areas, including the services sector and the enhancement of the Region=s competitiveness in order to deal with the new circumstances arising from global liberalisation in respect of the trade in goods and services.

The Heads of Government acknowledged the direct financial support extended by the European Union to Caribbean ACP States under successive Conventions. They noted that the EU was the largest source of grant aid to the Region. Post-Lomé arrangements should seek to preserve these gains.

They recognised that in addition to the debt burden of many Caribbean ACP countries, the changes in the global economy would require adjustments at considerable cost to their fragile economies. To enhance the capability of Caribbean countries to successfully undertake those adjustments, the Heads of Government agreed to explore within the context of the negotiations for a successor ACP-EU Agreement, all possibilities for enhanced financial support from the European Union through existing and new instruments.

The Heads of Government determined that the Caribbean preparatory process for negotiations on the future arrangements would involve, in addition to governments, the Associated States and the social partners.

Progress towards the Establishment of the Single Market and Economy

The Heads of Government welcomed the fact that implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) had accelerated. The First Protocol signed by Member States and which established the organs, institutions and procedures for the Community provides the part of the legal framework for the CSME. The Second Protocol providing for the Provision of Services, Rights of Establishment and the Movement of Capital is in the process of being finalised for the consideration of the relevant Ministerial bodies.

Arrangements for the free movement of goods are almost completely in place with unauthorised barriers remaining on no more than five items involving three Member States. The intra-regional Double Taxation Agreement is in operation among seven Member States. The Social Security Agreement, providing for the transfer of social security benefits, has entered into force for four Member States who have signed. The legal arrangements for free movement of graduates have been introduced in eight Member States with additional provision for the movement of other skills in three of these Member States. Eighth Member States now accept identification other than passports at points of entry.

Heads of Government agreed that Member States, during the intervening four months prior to the next Meeting of the Conference, would, inter-alia, complete the implementation of Double Taxation Agreement, the Social Security Legislation, the free movement of graduates, the facilitation of travel and the machinery for national consultations. Further, the Conference agreed that the Region would give priority, during 1997, to the creation of an enabling investment climate, an effectively functioning regional capital market, the expansion of the Region=s productive capacity and the enhancement of competitiveness of regional production.

The Conference agreed to work towards completing the implementation of the major elements of the CSME by 1999.

The Regional Transformation Programme for Agriculture (RTP)

The Conference reviewed the status report on the Regional Transformation Programme for Agriculture, which it had mandated in the Special Session dedicated to Agriculture in the context of its Seventeenth Regular Meeting.

The Conference emphasised the critical role to be played by the private sector, the NGOs and labour for the effective establishment of Agriculture as an internationally competitive business and agreed that the public sector must ensure the creation of the requisite climate to attract investment into competitive production in the Region.

The Conference endorsed the thrust and mechanisms being used to implement the RTP and urged that the Finance Committee, Lead Agencies and the Secretariat ensure that technical and financial resource mobilisation targeted both traditional and non-traditional sources, whether national, bilateral or multilateral.

The Conference committed itself to put in place vigorous promotion and public education programmes, so as to inform all levels and sectors of our society and also to promote their widespread involvement in various aspects of the RTP with a view to achieving international competitiveness of the agricultural sector for the Twenty-First Century.

The Conference endorsed the regional initiatives being taken to strengthen the biological control of the Pink Mealy Bug in the Region and in that context also endorsed the adoption of measures to facilitate trade in fresh produce. The Conference noted the offer of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to provide technical training and biological agents for assisting in controlling the Pink Mealy Bug.

Mechanism for Negotiation

The Heads of Government recalled their decisions to establish a structure to enhance the coordinating and execution of external negotiations and agreed to invite Sir Shridath Ramphal to undertake the assignment of Chief Negotiator.

Proposed CARICOM-United States of America Summit

Heads of Government expressed pleasure at the acceptance by President Clinton of their invitation to meet with them. They agreed that this Meeting, which is scheduled in Barbados, in May 1997, will provide an excellent opportunity to set the tone for CARICOM-US relations into the Twenty-first Century.

The Heads of Government agreed on the major issues which the Caribbean Community would wish to discuss with the President of the United States and accepted the offer of President Clinton to send a senior advisor to the Caribbean in March 1997 to advance preparations for the Summit Meeting. They mandated a high-level group under the coordination of the Prime Minister of Barbados to meet with the senior advisor in Barbados to discuss the proposed Agenda begin the preparatory process for the Summit. They also agreed that the Governments of Barbados and Jamaica and the CARICOM Secretariat would constitute the core of a planning group for the Summit.

The Heads of Government reaffirmed that CARICOM-US relations will remain a central element in the Region=s external relations into the Twenty-first Century and that the upcoming Summit should strengthen the mutual respect and understanding of the United States and CARICOM as sovereign partners.

The Situation in Montserrat

The Conference of Heads of Government received an update on the situation in Montserrat noting in particular, the need to relocate families to the Deep Zone in the North of the island; to address as a matter or urgency the growing social problems; and the urgency of developing well-designed projects in order to access available funding.

The Meeting underscored its commitment to provide support to Montserrat and agreed to work with the Government in mobilising and providing financial and technical support.

The Chief Minister of Montserrat expressed the appreciation of the Government and people of Montserrat for the support received so far which included not only financial support, but accommodation for children during the holidays.

Movement of Nuclear Waste and Other Hazardous Materials Through the Caribbean

The Meeting considered the movement of nuclear waste and other hazardous materials through the Caribbean Sea and reiterated that the Community remained implacably opposed to the transhipments of such materials.

Meeting with the Emissary of the Southern Cone Common Market (MERCOSUR)

The Heads of Government received the Emissary of the Southern-Cone Common Market (MERCOSUR) and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay, the Hon. Alvaro Ramos Trigo.

nbsp; The Minister expressed his appreciation for the invitation that had been extended to him to address the Conference and indicated that his acceptance of that invitation had also been in the context of strengthening relations between Uruguay and the Region which was considered a natural partner of Latin America.

nbsp; The evolution of MERCOSUR was outlined, together with the role of Uruguay in that sub-regional integration process. The achievements of MERCOSUR, its structure, as well as its policy of outreach, including to Central America and the Caribbean were also reviewed. The Emissary also indicated that MERCOSUR supported greater coordination efforts towards the consolidation of integration between both blocs, in order to promote economic and social development and to acquire greater strength and bargaining power for hemispheric and international negotiations with third parties. The Emissary expressed the intention of Uruguay to open a diplomatic mission in the Caribbean and to pursue a process of permanent dialogue with the Region through this medium as well as through the diplomatic representations in Washington among other channels.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago and the Prime Minister of Jamaica responded on behalf of the Caribbean Community.

The Minister of Trinidad and Tobago welcomed the presence of the Emissary of MERCOSUR as well as his positive statement on the perspectives for the future development of relations between Uruguay and Member States and CARICOM, as well as between MERCOSUR and CARICOM. The Foreign Minister drew attention to the shared features of Uruguay and the Member States of CARICOM in the integration process by reference to the relative size of the respective economies and the determination to implement economic reform in recognition of the contemporary global realities. The basic objective, he postulated, was to ensure that the hemispheric integration process was effectively concluded for the benefit of all. The role being played by MERCOSUR as a major pole of hemispheric integration was recognised.

The Prime Minister of Jamaica remarked on the historical coincidence by virtue of which the Emissary of MERCOSUR to CARICOM had come from Uruguay, given the commonalities in size, economic potential and economic policies of the respective countries.

The opportunity for direct dialogue among the respective countries as a result of their own initiatives as evidenced by the present encounter was to be accorded very high value. Cooperation induced by this kind of interaction would be an asset as both sub-regions sought to engage in meaningful dialogue towards the implementation of the FTAA.

The Prime Minister welcomed the intention of the Government of Uruguay to establish bridges of cooperation through inter-alia, the institutionalisation of a diplomatic presence in the Caribbean and through existing arrangements for similar representation particularly in Washington. Perspectives on technical cooperation in areas such as human resource development, education, science and technology, health, and cultural and youth exchanges were articulated. The Prime Minister wished to be associated with the welcome that had been extended to the Emissary and expressed the hope that the result of this initial meeting will be substantial in historical perspective.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Latin American Economic System (SELA), which facilitated the development of contacts between CARICOM and MERCOSUR, expressed satisfaction at having been invited to witness the historic encounter aimed at intensifying relations between CARICOM and MERCOSUR. He traced the antecedents of the encounter to certain recent events which had at least been co-sponsored by SELA or for which a SELA activity had provided an appropriate environment.

CARICOM and MERCOSUR were viewed as dynamic participants in the hemispheric integration process and, at the sub-regional level, could pursue cooperation in, inter alia, investment, transfer of technology and security issues, including the production, traffic and use of illicit drugs.

Proposed US-EU Zero for Zero Agreement on Distilled Spirits

The Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, the President of the Dominican Republic and the President of the Republic of Haiti meeting in caucus at Jumby Bay on 20 February 1997, made proposals with regard to the US proposal for the zero for zero treatment for rum in the upcoming negotiations between the US and the European Union in regard to an International Telecommunications Agreement and a zero for zero agreement on distilled spirits. The Heads of Government made this proposal in the context of implied or expressed requests from both sides to come up with a recommendation, specific to rum to be included in the zero for zero agreement, after Prime Ministers Arthur and Patterson had both rejected a blanket inclusion of rum in the distilled spirits agreement and for a subsequent price brake mechanism being proposed by the USA=s representative of the United States Trade Representative.

The following were agreed by the Group:

(i) that zero for zero treatment on rum be limited to the historic Caribbean producers which listed the Member of CARIFORUM (CARICOM plus the Dominican Republic and the Republic of Haiti), Puerto Rico, the British and US Virgin Islands and the French DOM which includes Guadeloupe, Marie Galante, Martinique, Reunion and Guyana.

It was recognised –

(i) that this proposal was consistent with workers rights and obtained by the two sides (CBI/USA, Lomé/EU) under the WTO.

(ii) that this proposal would in no way take from any third country any privileges (GSP or otherwise) which they now possess.

This proposal has been agreed by all the industries involved in the process and in fact, emanates from Meetings held by the industry.

Appreciation

The Heads of Government expressed their profound gratitude to the Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda for the excellent hospitality extended to their delegations and for the arrangements which ensured a successful Meeting.

Arrangements for the Eighteenth Regular Meeting of the Conference of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community

The Heads of Government confirmed their decision to convene the Eighteenth Regular Meeting of the Conference of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community in Montego Bay, Jamaica, during the period 30 June to 4 July 1997.

STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE CONFERENCE OF HEADS OF GOVERNMENT WITH RESPECT TO THE HEALTH OF H.E. DR. CHEDDI JAGAN

Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, at their Eight Inter-Sessional Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda on 20-21 February 1997, unanimously express their deep concern over the illness of the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, His Excellency Dr. Cheddi Jagan. His absence was certainly felt by all.

Heads of Government also join in offering President Jagan best wishes for a speedy and total recovery and to this end, will keep him constantly in their prayers.

Heads of Government also express their good wishes to the family of President Jagan and the people of Guyana. They indicate their willingness to assist in whatever way possible during this difficult time.

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