The Fourth Special Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community was convened on 17 – 18 November in Kingston Jamaica under the Chairmanship of hon. Owen Arthur, Prime Minister of Barbados and Chairman of the Conference, to discuss issues related to the participation of Heads of Government in the Summit of the Americas which will be held in Miami, 9 – 11 December, 1994, and other issues of immediate interest to the Community.
The Agenda considered by the Heads of Government was aimed primarily at ensuring the effective participation of Caribbean Heads of Government in the Summit. In an effort to widen the scope of Caribbean-wide discussion of the issues, CARICOM Heads of Government invited the Heads of Government of the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Suriname to participate in the Meeting.
The Caribbean represents just under one-half of the States invited to the Summit. They face some of the more intractable developmental problems. The Caribbean States have a vested interest in a productive Summit whose outcome could lay the basis for significant movement towards more sustainable and widespread development in the hemisphere.
Heads of Government received a report from the Foreign Ministers on their discussion with representatives of Costa Rica and Honduras on behalf of Central America, and with Canada and the United States of America. The exchanges covered the emerging perspectives on the issues of interest on the three main themes of the Summit, namely Democracy, Economic Integration and Sustainable Development.
The CARICOM Heads of Government were very concerned at the stage of preparations of the substantive issues and expressed their strong desire to receive the draft documents which will form the basis of the conclusions of the Summit.
Heads of Government reviewed the present situation of the Caribbean banana industry, in the light of certain recent developments.
The Heads of Government were particularly concerned that the United States Trade Representative had, on 17 October 1994, initiated investigation under Section 301 of the US Trade Act. The Heads considered the substance of the petition by the US private multinational company – Chiquita Brands Inc. and concluded that there was no merit in the request. They authorised the Chairman of the Conference to transmit a detailed response to the petition prepared with the collaboration of the Caribbean banana Exporters Association (CBEA).
The Heads also considered other issues which are likely to require Community action prior to their next Meeting on the occasion of the Sixth Inter-Sessional Meeting in March 1995 including the development of the Community’s future relations with Haiti and the establishment of the Association of Caribbean States.
Heads of Government welcomed the restoration of constitutional rule in Haiti and of Father Jean Bertrand Aristide to the effective exercise of the presidency of that country. They recalled the active involvement of CARICOM in efforts to bring about the restoration of constitutional rule in Haiti which culminated with the participation of CARICOM forces in the multinational force approved by the UN Security Resolution 940 which authorised action aimed at resolving the protracted Haitian political crisis.
Heads of Government conveyed their appreciation to their forces in Haiti for the professional manner in which they are discharging their responsibilities in that country. They pledge their continues support to their forces.
Heads of Government also considered the future development of the Community’s relations with Haiti, including the provision of assistance. In this context, they agreed on the need to establish a joint diplomatic presence in Haiti at the earliest opportunity to co-ordinate the Community’s activities.
Heads of Government were briefed by the Un Secretary-General on preparations for the UNMIH which is scheduled to replace the MNF in Haiti as well as on other issues pertinent to CARICOM / UN relations.
With regard to the CAS, Heads of Government noted that Trinidad and Tobago now remained the only candidate for the site of the ACS ad welcomed the support given by other signatory states to the Convention to Trinidad’s bid.
They urged CARICOM States to ratify the Convention as early as possible.
CONCLUSIONS OF MEETING ON SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS
The Fourth Special Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community was convened on 17-18th November in Kingston, Jamaica, under the chairmanship of Hon. Owen Arthur, Prime Minister of Barbados and Chairman of the Conference, to discuss issues related to the participation of Heads of Government in the Summit of the Americas which will be held in Miami, 9th to 11th December, 1994, and other issues of immediate interest to the community.
The Agenda considered by the Heads of Government was aimed primarily at ensuring the effective participation of Caribbean Heads of Government in the Summit. In an effort to widen the scope of Caribbean-wide discussion of the issues, CARICOM Heads of Government invited the Heads of Government of the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Suriname to participate in the Meeting.
The Caribbean represents just under one-half of the States invited to the Summit. They face some of the more intractable developmental problems. The Caribbean States have a vested interest in a productive Summit whose outcome could lay the basis for significant movement towards more sustainable and widespread development in the hemisphere.
Heads of Government received a report from the Foreign Ministers on their discussion with representatives of Costa Rica and Honduras on behalf of Central America, and with Canada and the United States of America. The exchanges covered the emerging perspectives on the issues of interest on the three main themes of the Summit, namely Democracy, Economic Integration and Sustainable Development.
The CARICOM Heads of Government were very concerned at the stage of preparations of the substantive issues and expressed their strong desire to receive the draft documents which will form the basis of the conclusions of the Summit. Heads of Government reviewed the present situation of the Caribbean banana industry, in the light of certain recent developments.
The Heads of Government were particularly concerned that the United States Trade Representative had, on 17th October, 1994, initiated investigation under Section 301 of the US Trade Act. The Heads considered the substance of the petition by the US private multinational company – Chiquita Brands Inc. and concluded that there was no merit in the request. They authorised the Chairman of the Conference to transmit a detailed response to the petition prepared with the collaboration of the Caribbean Banana Exporters Association (CBEA).
The Heads also considered other issues which are likely to require Community action prior to their next Meeting on the occasion of the Sixth Inter-Sessional Meeting in March 1995 including the development of the Community’s future relations with Haiti and the establishment of the Association of Caribbean States.
Heads of Government welcomed the restoration of constitutional rule in Haiti and of Father Jean Bertrand Aristide to the effective exercise of the presidency of that country. They recalled the active involvement of CARICOM in efforts to bring about the restoration of constitutional rule in Haiti which culminated with the participation of CARICOM forces in the multinational force approved by the UN Security Resolution 940 which authorized action aimed at resolving the protracted Haitian political crisis.
Heads of Government also considered the future development of the Community’s relations with Haiti, including the provision of assistance. In this context, they agreed on the need to establish a joint diplomatic presence in Haiti at the earliest opportunity to coordinate the Community’s activities.
Heads of Government were briefed by the UN Secretary-General on preparations for the UNMIH which is scheduled to replace the MNF in Haiti as well as on other issues pertinent to CARICOM/UN relations.
With regard to the ACS, Heads of Government noted that Trinidad and Tobago now remained the only candidate for the site of the ACS and welcomed the support given by other signatory states to the Convention to Trinidad’s bid.
They urged CARICOM States to ratify the Convention as early as possible.
