Distinguished Secretary General
Foreign Minister of Guyana and Chairman of COFCOR
Distinguished Deputy Prime Ministers of Barbados and
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Distinguished Foreign Ministers
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Senior Officials of Member States
Distinguished Guests
Members of the Media
Ladies and Gentlemen
Sometime last year, October to be precise, I had the distinct honour and pleasure of officially welcoming some of you to St. Lucia for the first time. The occasion was the Second Special Meeting of CARIFORUM Ministers. At that time I wore a different hat – that of Chairman of CARIFORUM.
As conventional folk wisdom would teach, “the first time carries a particular pleasure”. In St. Lucia, there is also a saying that “”once is not enough.” I am certain you understand the meaning behind these words because you have chosen once again to return to our shores. This time around I find even greater pleasure in welcoming you to this piece of God’s Earth that we describe as “Simply Beautiful”.
Colleagues, we gather to convene this 5th Meeting of the COFCOR against the backdrop of continuing international turmoil, politically, economically and socially, marked by a virtual war in the Middle East, continued global economic recession, the devastating impact of pandemic diseases led by HIV/AIDS; and growing transnational crime. Regionally, stretching from Port au Prince to Caracas, from Caracas to Buenos Aires, and elsewhere in the hemisphere, we too are witnessing both political and economic instability.
Amidst all this, the US-led international war on terrorism continues apace, with, as one of its main consequences, the diverting of scarce resources from development priorities to satisfy essentially security concerns.
On the economic front, even as we, as small developing countries, are being pressured to move more swiftly than our economies can sustain, towards liberalisation of our markets, we are witnessing a resurgence of protectionism by some of these leading players in the call for liberalisation. In this regard, it is difficult to find the right words to describe the actions of the USA to protect its steel industry. Let’s simply refer to them as “interesting”. However, those actions and the reaction of the EU point to more difficult times ahead within the WTO and in the world economy.
In Europe itself, the rising spectre of ultra right extremism as recently demonstrated by the growing support in France for Jean Marie Le Pen and the Front Nationale, sent shockwaves both within and beyond the borders of France. Analysts have warned of similar tendencies in other European states. While yesterday’s results may have eased concern as regards some elements of the ultra rights’ agenda, there is no doubt however that some of their core issues, such as immigration, will now find a prominent place on the national agenda of these countries. And Europe is not unique in this regard.
These issues historically tend to be exacerbated in times of economic decline such as the world is currently experiencing. This historical pattern reinforces our concern regarding the shift in international priorities and with it resources, from development to security. It is a lesson which the world may do well to bear in mind, as it moves from the results of Monterrey to the hopes of Johannesburg.
The World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg this coming August, will provide a forum, perhaps fittingly so, to focus one of the world’s, and our Region’s, greatest social woes – the HIV/AIDS, in regard to which only the sub-Sahara Region itself, has a higher incidence than our Region. This, and the broader issues relating to the development of small states, including lack of capacity, climate change, and other development concerns, will need to be central to the agenda of the Conference and its outcome, if the meeting is really to make a meaningful contribution to the sustainable development of our Region.
Colleagues, this broad sweep of the brush cannot be expected to provide the full picture of the global landscape as it relates to our Region. It suggests however, that there is much that is happening around us – certainly much that will affect us, and certainly, much that would require from us the definition and articulation of common or, at the very least, coordinated responses.
Our Community of States must be seen to act as a community in the true sense of the word and not be viewed by the outside world as simply a collection of countries which happen to be in the same geographic area. There must be singularity of purpose, and complementarity of actions, in dealing with the multifaceted issues created by outside actors and factors.
History has clearly demonstrated that when community members work together under the rubric of “singularity and complementarity” the Community is then seen as a force to be reckoned with. The Haitian issue is a case in point. Our prior perceived dormancy on that issue made certain international actors believe that the opportunity had presented itself for them to implement their agenda for Haiti. This was certainly a wake up call for the Community. The unified position adopted to help our sister nation of Haiti, is now well documented. The result of this demonstration of unity is that within the OAS, CARICOM is now consulted before any decision is taken on Haiti. Colleagues we must not slip back into a dormant state on that issue. We must continue to ensure that actions undertaken in our sister country has the imprint of CARICOM.
The stamp “approved by CARICOM” is emerging within the Councils of the OAS, as a valuable asset. It is one that we must use with care and never squander.
The General Assembly convenes in Barbados in early June. We must give our full support to our sister country, who, in hosting this Assembly, honours us all.
Colleague Ministers, over the next two days, our deliberations must culminate in the production of a framework within which we as a Caribbean Community can address these and many other regional and global issues. Our most critical task however is that quite apart from the important work taking place to sharpen our preparations and overall capacity for intervention in the main theatres of engagement (EU/ACP; WTO; FTAA), we need to engage in major deliberations geared towards devising strategies and mechanisims for repositioning CARICOM firmly within the international landscape – to capture the high ground as it were.
I am heartened by our discussions yesterday at our retreat, as regards coming to grips with some of these very issues. The development of a Revised Strategy for the Coordination of the Foreign Policies of CARICOM States, constituted the main focus of our retreat, and this suggests to me that there is the requisite concern and commitment to address and to resolve those issues where CARICOM is seen to be slipping. Indeed this matter is also on our agenda for discussion at this meeting.
In closing, I wish to convey my personal thanks to my friend, Foreign Minister of Guyana, Rudi Insanally, for his excellent stewardship of the COFCOR over the last year. I ask you to join me in acknowledging his energy, commitment, and tireless effort. With your help and that of the Secretariat, I look forward to continuing the good work carried out during his tenure as Chairman.
Finally, Ladies and Gentlemen, colleagues, I must confess that this might not be the best time to be attending a meeting – the distractions and temptations of the St. Lucia Jazz Festival are too great. Ironically however, it is precisely such a distraction that can serve as the incentive for us to work hard. As culture, custom and habit demand, I invite you to explore and enjoy the delights of our country. It is our home, yours and mine. I look forward to the pleasure of your company over the next few days. Together, and with your help, we should succeed in having the best of both worlds – a successful 5th Meeting of the COFCOR, and sumptuous servings of quality Jazz.
I thank you.
