STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE CARICOM COUNCIL OF FOREIGN AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS (COFCOR) ON THE ASSASSINATION OF THE HON. SATYADEOW SAWH, MINISTER OF FISHERIES, OTHER CROPS AND LIVESTOCK AND ACTING MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE OF GUYANA

The Foreign Ministers of the Caribbean Community gathered in St. George’s, Grenada, for the Ninth Meeting of the Council of Foreign and Community Relations received with shock and a great sense of sadness the news of the assassination of the Honourable Satyadeow Sawh, Minister of Fisheries, Other Crops and Livestock and Acting Minister of Agriculture of Guyana, in the early hours of Saturday 22 April, 2006 in Georgetown, Guyana, along with his brother, sister and his security guard.

The Foreign Ministers of the Caribbean Community expressed their revulsion over this heinous act of violence which they strongly condemned. Such acts of violence have no place in the democratic culture of the Region and undermine the political, economic and social stability of the countries of the Community. They expressed the hope that the investigations launched by the Guyana Police Force would result in the capture of the perpetrators and their being brought to justice.

The Foreign Ministers of the Caribbean Community extend their deepest sympathy to the Government and people of Guyana and to the families of the victims, and their hopes for the full recovery of those persons who were wounded in the attack and who are currently receiving medical attention.

The Foreign Ministers pledged CARICOM’s full support to the Government and people of Guyana at this trying time.