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The Eleventh Meeting of the
Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community was held in
Kingston, Jamaica from 31 July 1990 to 2 August 1990. The Heads of delegations
in attendance were:
Hon.
Lester Bird, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Economic
Development, Tourism and Energy, Antigua and Barbuda;
The
Rt. Hon. Sir Lynden O. Pindling, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, The
Bahamas; The
Rt. Hon. Erskine Sandiford, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic
Affairs, Barbados;
The
Rt. Hon. George Price, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Belize; Hon. Mary
Eugenia Charles, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dominica; Hon.
Nicholas Brathwaite, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Grenada;H.E.
Hugh Desmond Hoyte, S.C., President, Guyana; Hon.
Percival J. Patterson, Q.C. Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Development,
Planning and Production, Jamaica;The Rt. Hon. Dr. Kennedy Simmonds, Prime Minister
and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs and Finance, St. Kitts and Nevis;The
Rt. Hon. John Compton, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Planning and
Development and Home Affairs, Saint Lucia; The
Rt. Hon. James F. Mitchell, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and
Finance, St. Vincent and the Grenadines;Sen.
The Hon. Dr. Sahadeo Basdeo, Minister of External Affairs, Trinidad and Tobago.
Mr. Roderick Rainford, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community,
chaired the Inaugural Session.
Heads of Government observed one minute’s silence in memory of the late
Prime Minister of Grenada, The Rt. Hon. Herbert Blaize.
The Hon Percival J. Patterson, Q.C., acting Prime Minister and Minister
of Development, Planning and Production, Jamaica delivered the Opening Address.
Acting Prime Minister Patterson said “while economic development is the
foundation of our integration, we must never make the mistake of pursuing our
goals without the popular participation of our peoples in the Region, history is
littered with the instances where narrow self interest prevails because there is
not popular understanding of wider issues. The involvement of people in the
integration process cannot be an after-thought, but must be the focus of what we
do. Our development goals must be people-centred. The benefits of economic
production must be for the majority of the population”.
Speeches were also delivered by the Rt. Hon. L. Erskine Sandiford, Prime
Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Barbados; The Rt. Hon.
George Price, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Belize; and the Hon.
Nicholas Brathwaite, Prime Minister, Grenada.
The Conference elected the Rt. Hon. Michael Manley, Prime Minister of
Jamaica as its Chairman-in-Office; and in his absence, elected Hon. Percival J.
Patterson as Chairman of its Eleventh Meeting.
The Meeting was preceded, on 24-26 July 1990 by a Preparatory Meeting of
Ministers; on 27-28 July 1990, by a Special Meeting of the Common Market
Council; and on 30 July 1990 by the Fourteenth Meeting of the Standing Committee
of Ministers responsible for Finance. These Meetings submitted a number of
recommendations to the Conference. Conference also considered recommendations
from the Sixteenth Meeting of the Standing Committee of Ministers responsible
for Foreign Affairs; the Eighth Meeting of the Standing Committee of Ministers
responsible for Education; the Fourteenth Meeting of the Standing Committee of
Ministers responsible for Transportation; and the Sub-Committee of
Attorneys-General of Member States assigned responsibility by the Standing
Committee of Ministers responsible for Legal Affairs to make recommendations on
matters relating to the establishment and functioning of the proposed Caribbean
Court of Appeal.
Heads of Government welcomed the growing co-operation between Mexico and
CARICOM as evidenced by the visit to Jamaica of the President of Mexico, His
Excellency Carlos Salinas de Gortari, which coincided with the Meeting of the
Conference. They received his Excellency, who addressed them immediately
following the Opening Ceremony of the Conference.
Heads of Government acknowledged with appreciation messages of greetings
from the Governments of Brazil, Cuba, Suriname and Venezuela.
Heads of Government recognised that the Eleventh Meeting of the
Conference was convened against the background of a radically changing
international environment. They reviewed developments on the international
scene,. In particular the globalisation of the world economy, the emergence of
powerful trading blocks, the growing impact of newly industrialised countries (NIC’s)
on the international economy and the rise of new poles of economic and financial
power.
They considered the progress made so far in the fulfulment of the goals
set forth in the Treaty of Chaguaramas, and the Annex thereto, and reaffirmed
their commitment to strengthening the process of regional integration as the
best means of responding effectively to the challenges as well as to the
opportunities of the present international situation. In this context, they
reviewed the progress made in achieving the goals set out in the Grand Anse
Declaration and Work Programme.
SITUATION IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Heads of Government unreservedly condemned the assault of the
constitutional democracy, the rule of law and the sanctity of the Parliament of
Trinidad and Tobago and the holding hostage of Prime Minister A.N.R. Robinson,
members of his Cabinet, Parliamentarians and other persons.
They noted with deep relief and satisfaction the freeing of the persons
held as hostages, the taking into custody of their captors and the bringing to
an end of the crisis in Trinidad and Tobago.
They also noted with satisfaction the quick response of Member States in
the despatching of disciplined forces to Barbados to await deployment to
Trinidad and Tobago, if required, and placed on record their deep appreciation
of the action taken by the Government of Member States of the Community in
rendering assistance to another Member State of the Community in time of
emergency.
Heads of Government recognised that events such as the crisis in Trinidad
and Tobago highlighted the vulnerability of small states to threats from
terrorism.
They agreed on the necessity to review existing arrangements in support
of regional security and decided to establish a Committee of Member States to
look into the matter and report before the Twelfth Meeting of Conference.
DEVELOPMENTS IN COMMUNITY
Review of Programmes and Existing Institutions
Heads of Government received a report on the review of programmes and
institutions of the Community and agreed on arrangements for a full
consideration of the recommendations at both the technical and political levels.
Human Resource Development Programme of the University of
the West Indies
Heads of Government considered a report from Mr. Alister Mc Intyre, Vice
Chancellor of the University of the West Indies on the steps being taken by the
University to implement the Resolution on Human Resource Development adopted at
the Tenth Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government.
They were pleased to learn that the University Development Plan for the
period 1990-2000, which projects a 50 percent increase in enrolment –
especially in the areas of science, technology, management and education – was
at a very advanced stage. In this new plan, the University was placing emphasis
on bringing the non-Campus territories into the mainstream of university
development.
Institutional Developments
Heads of Government reviews the progress in the implementation of their
decisions to further develop the institutional arrangements supporting the
Integration process in the Region.
They noted with satisfaction that the Caribbean Telecommunications Union
(CTU) had been formally launched on 17 July 1990 with headquarters in Trinidad
and Tobago as a permanent body to oversee developments in regional
telecommunications. They recognised the importance of telecommunications
infrastructure in strengthening the process of integration and were confident
that the CTU would fulfil the objectives of rationalising regional
telecommunications policy, establishing and harmonising regional technical
standards and solving intra-regional telecommunications problems.
Heads
of Government noted the progress made in the implementation of the decisions
taken by the Tenth Meeting with regard to the establishment of a Caribbean Court
of Appeal and the Assembly of Caribbean Parliamentarians. They agreed that the
draft Inter-Governmental agreements on these two projects would be further
considered at the next meeting of the Standing Committee of Ministers
responsible for Legal Affairs.
Heads of Government noted the progress made on the proposal to confer the
Order of the Caribbean Community on outstanding CARICOM nationals. They urged
Member States which has not yet taken action to expedite their consideration of
the draft Inter-Governmental Agreement establishing the Order so that the first
awards could be conferred at the Twelfth Meeting of the Conference of Heads of
Government.
Heads of Government noted that an Inter-Governmental Agreement
establishing a CARICOM Mechanism for Emergency Response Disaster Relief has been
drafted. They endorsed, in principle, the proposed structure of the Agency as
set our in the draft Agreement. They agreed that Member States would give
further consideration to the draft and would convey their views to the CARICOM
Secretariat by 30 September 1990 after which further action would be taken to
establish the Agency and make it operational before the start of the next
hurricane season. They also agreed that the necessary steps should be taken to
extend the duration of the Pan Caribbean Disaster Preparedness and Prevention
Project (PCDPPP) for another year pending the establishment of the Agency, in
order to prevent any hiatus.
The Encounter Between Two Worlds
Heads of Government noted reports on on-going plans and programmes to
commemorate the 500th Anniversary of the Encounter Between Two Worlds
and agreed to highlight major regional events leading up to 1992 as instances of
regional co-operation and integration. In that regard, particular attention was
paid to the Regional Economic Conference, the activities of the Independent West
Indian Commission, CARIFESTA V and the 1992 Regional Trade Fair. Heads of
Government noted, in particular, the comprehensive programme which was already
underway in Trinidad and Tobago involving both national and regional events
pertaining to the Encounter. They reiterated that the events should promote the
recognition of the creative genius of Caribbean people and enhance awareness of
the common history, identity and destiny of the Region.
Preparations for Regional Economic Conference
Heads of Government reviewed the preparations being made for the Regional
Economic Conference in Trinidad and Tobago on November 12 – 14 1990. They
emphasised that the Conference would be broad-based and would seek to arrive at
a consensus on the directions and policies which the Region should adopt as the
twenty-first century approaches.
Progress of Work of the West Indian Commission
Heads of Government received a report from Sir Shridath Ramphal, Chairman
of the West Indian Commission, on the work of the Commission since its formal
launching in November 1989. They were pleased to learn of the high level of
public interest shown in the work of the Commission during its first set of
hearings which were held in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. They were encouraged
that the Commission’s mandate for the involvement of the peoples of the Region
in shaping the future of the Regional Movement was being fulfilled.
They were appreciative of the generosity of the Government of Barbados in
providing the Commission’s headquarters.
Regional Trade Fair 1992
Heads of Government noted the information concerning preparations for the
Regional Trade Fair scheduled to be held in Trinidad and Tobago in 1992 and
endorsed the establishment of a Project Steering Committee to prepare for the
event.
Heads of Government reiterated the importance of regional trade fairs as
opportunities to promote the Region as a reliable source of quality products and
as means to facilitate the development and expansion of intra-regional and
extra-regional trade.
Review
of the Status of Action Towards the Creation of
a Single Integrated Common Market
Heads of Government reviewed the progress made to date in the
implementation of the Grand Anse Declaration and Work Programme – which
embodies the steps agreed on by Conference last year at its Meeting in Grenada
towards the creation of a Single CARICOM Market. Heads of Government in their
adherence to this objective, took final decisions on the major outstanding
instruments of the Common External Tariff (CET) and Rules of Origin and welcomed
the advances made towards the establishment of a Regional Stock Exchange. They
reiterated the commitment of their Governments to have the legislative and other
measures completed in sufficient time to meet the implementation date of January
1, 1991.
In light of the importance attached to the creation of a single CARICOM
market, Heads of Government affirmed the need for a fully unified CARICOM
External Tariff to enable the establishment and effective functioning of the
single market by the agreed deadline of January 1, 1994.
Heads of Government announced that from January 1, 1991 the three
existing stock exchanges in the Region would begin the process of cross-listing
and cross-trading of securities. They expressed satisfaction at the steps taken
by these Member States towards the removal of obstacles to the free movement of
intra-regional capital and looked forward to the extension of the arrangements
to include other Member States and to further action in the development of the
Regional Capital Market.
They decided to accelerate the implementation process by agreeing to
create a new regional position of CARICOM Commissioner to commence functioning
by 1 October 1990. The CARICOM Commissioner is to work closely with the
individuals Member States and the CARICOM Secretariat in ensuring the effective
and urgent implementation of all the measures agreed on within the timetable
set. The CARICOM Commissioner is to be chosen from among CARICOM nationals with
extensive knowledge in CARICOM affairs and wide experience of other integration
arrangements.
Free Movement of Peoples
Heads of Government endorsed “Programme AFFIRM – Arrangements for
Freer Intra-Regional Movement – which was developed in accordance with the
decisions taken at Grand Anse. This Programme is designed to facilitate freer
intra-regional movement of CARICOM peoples for purposes of travel and work.
The Programme provides, among other things, for CARICOM nationals
travelling in the Region to be given the option of presenting satisfactory forms
of identification other than passports. It also calls for the waiver or work
permit requirements for professional and skilled CARICOM nationals working in
the areas of the visual and performing arts, sports and the media to participate
in regional events.
Regional Transportation Policy
Heads of Government recognised that efficient and reliable transportation
is vital to the successful development of the regional integration movement.
They agreed that the Heads of Government directly concerned with the issue of
the rationalisation of the regional airlines of the Eastern Caribbean countries
of the Community would meet within three months to finalise the consideration of
that matter.
Widening of the Community
Heads of Government reaffirmed the position they adopted at their
Informal Session in Barbados in March 1990 when they agreed on the need to adopt
a dynamic approach to the question of the widening of the Community. They noted
that such an approach had its basis in the original intentions of the founding
fathers of CARICOM who had foreseen an expansion of the regional integration
movement to encompass, eventually, all Caribbean peoples. A new dynamism was
also required by the changing international relations situation. Heads of
Government called on the West Indian Commission to pay particular attention to
this question in its consultations and deliberation.
Heads of Government considered a number of applications for membership
and observer status in the Community and expressed the Community’s willingness
to grant associate membership to the British Virgin islands and the Turks and
Caicos Islands, subject to the necessary entrustment being accorded to the
elected governmental authorities of the two territories by the United Kingdom
Government.
With regard to the application by the Dominican Republic for full
membership to the Community, they requested the West Indian Commission to give
consideration to this as part of its overall study of the widening of the
Community through the addition of new full members.
Heads of Government agreed that Mexico and Venezuela should be offered
observer status in the Conference of Ministers of Health (CMH) and the Standing
Committees of Ministers responsible for Agriculture, for Education, for Science
and Technology, for Labour for Transportation, and the CARICOM Ministerial
Conference on the Environment.
Heads of Government also agreed that Puerto Rico should be offered
observer status in the Conference of Ministers of Health, The CARICOM
Ministerial Conference ohnthe Environment, and the Standing Committees of
Ministers responsible for Agriculture, for Education and for Science and
Technology.
Regional Economic Trends
Heads of Government reviewed the recent economic trends in the Region
against the backdrop of the major developments in the international economy, the
continued efforts of Member States to implement appropriate macro-economic
policies and the cumulative impact of two major recent hurricanes – Gilbert
and Hugo. They observed that the pace of economic activity in the Region had
slackened during 1989. Nevertheless, most countries continued to experience
modest growth in real income though the performance of some of the larger
countries continued to be below potential.
Heads of Government expressed satisfaction at the continued recovery in
the flow of intra-regional trade and reaffirmed their commitment to the removal
of the remaining impediments to the free flow of trade in the Region.
INTERNATIONAL
ECONOMIC SITUATION
In examining the international economic situation, Heads of Government
took particular note of the developments with respect to the Uruguay Round of
Multilateral Trade Negotiations, progress towards the creation of a Single
European Market, the announcement of the “Enterprise of the Americas”
initiative by President Bush, and the existing external debt problem.
In their review of the state of negotiations on the Uruguay Round of
Multilateral Trade Negotiations, Heads of Government reiterated that the agreed
principles of transparency and differential and more favourable treatment for
developing countries are indispensable to an equitable outcome of the
negotiations that would guarantee a more efficient functioning of the
international trading system.
In their discussion of the Single Market in Europe, Heads of Government
took particular note of the implications of this development for the interest of
the Region. They urged regional producers and investors to take steps to improve
the competitiveness of their products and increase their investments in order to
take full advantage of possible opportunities presented by the larger, though
more competitive markets.
Heads of Government endorsed the decision of the Common Market Council to
consider the establishment of a CARICOM Office in Europe to monitor, promote and
pursue Caribbean interests on that Continent.
Heads of Government also reviewed the various initiatives being taken to
address the problem of external indebtedness. They observed that an early
solution to the debt problem was critical not only for the future growth and
stability of countries which were crippled by the debt burden but also for the
restoration of confidence and dynamism in the international financial system.
They noted that is was necessary for a comprehensive strategy to be
adopted to address the various categories of debt. In this context they welcomed
the recommendations contained in the Latin America and Caribbean proposals on
debt adopted by the Latin American and Caribbean Finance Ministers at their
Meeting at the headquarters of the Latin American Economic System (SELA) in June
1990; and the initiatives being taken in the Commonwealth and the Group of 15
Non-Aligned countries.
Heads of Government noted that the Inaugural Meeting of the Summit Level
Group for South-South Co-operation, of which Jamaica is a member, took place in
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and that in its deliberations it, inter alia, expressed
strong support for greater South-South co-operation and the need for a new
approach to the North-South dialogue.
EXTERNAL
RELATIONS OF THE COMMUNITY
CARICOM/Latin America Relations
Heads of
Government welcomed the initiative launched in Tobago in August 1990 by the
President of Venezuela and five CARICOM Heads of Government, and the follow-up
meetings of officials held in Caracas in January and June 1990. They endorsed
the action taken so far in pursuit of the initiative.
Heads of Government welcomed the ongoing positive relations with Mexico
as evidenced by the Technical Co-operation Agreement on Professional Upgrading
signed on 18 May 1990 as well as the Technical Co-operation and Trade Promotion
Agreement signed on 31 July 1990.
CARICOM/Canada Relations
Heads of Government reviewed the results of the Commonwealth
Caribbean/Canada Summit held in Barbados in March 1990, and expressed
appreciation for Canada’s forgiveness of the official debt of CARICOM States.
They looked forward to the implementation of Prime Minister Mulroney’s
commitments on the issues of trade and investment on the basis of full and
continuing consultation and co-operation between both sides.
CARICOM/United States Relations
Heads of Government reviewed developments relating to the CBI and more
particularly, the CBI II legislation and while welcoming the progress through
the legislative process, expressed disappointment at the systematic removal fo
new and innovative provisions from the legislation.
They however, viewed with interest the “enterprises of the Americas”
initiative announced by President Bush on 27 June 1990. Heads of Government
urged that any follow-up to the initiative be based on thorough consultation at
all levels and at all stages and affirmed that CARICOM Member States will adopt
a joint approach in response to the initiative.
Relations with the European
Economic Community
Heads of Government took note of the fact that since their last Meeting,
the Lomé IV Convention, which has a life span of ten years, has been signed.
They welcomed the improvements in the new Convention in the quality of aid, the
increased access for agricultural exports, and the introduction of special
arrangements to assist ACP States in the process of structural adjustment.
Heads of Government emphasised the economic, social and political
importance of a viable banana industry to the Caribbean and reaffirmed their
determination to work with the European Community in formulating common rules
and work arrangements for bananas within a Single European Market which were
consistent with the assurances given and commitments entered into in Protocol V
of Lomé IV and the Joint Declaration on the said Protocol. They reiterated the
view that the joint Caribbean proposal on the treatment of bananas in the EEC
formed an appropriate basis on which rules could be formulated, and called upon
the European Community to enter into meaningful consultations on the subject, at
an early date, while committing themselves to participate actively in the
consultative process.They
considered the matter of such urgency and importance that they issued a separate
statement on the subject which is attached.
Heads of Government welcomed the accession by the Dominican Republic and
Haiti to the Lomé IV Convention, and looked forward to co-operating with these
two new Caribbean ACP States with a view to enhancing the collective enjoyment
of the benefits of the Lomé Convention.
REGIONAL
AND INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ISSUES
Guyana/Venezuela
Heads of Government examined recent developments in the relations between
the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and the Republic of Venezuela and recorded
their satisfaction with the fact that the bases of co-operation have been
strengthened by the continuation of mutually beneficial functional co-operation
in a number of relevant areas.
With regard to the controversy, they noted that the process initiated
with the appointment of Mr. Alister Mc Intyre as the Personal Representative of
the Secretary-General of the United Nations to perform the functions of “good
officer” has been further reinforced as a result of meetings and exchanges of
views between him and officials of both Governments.
Heads of Government welcomed these developments and agreed that they
indicated a continuation of the cordial and expanding relations between Guyana
and Venezuela.
Belize/Guatemala
Heads of Government welcomed the report of the Government of Belize on
progress made in the negotiations between Belize and Guatemala towards
identifying the elements to be included in a comprehensive Treaty to provide a
just and honourable solution to the problems between the two countries.
Heads of Government called on the Governments of Belize and Guatemala to
continue the negotiations in good faith and expressed the hope that all
commitments undertaken would be enshrined in the Treaty and would be faithfully
implemented. They urged the Government of the United Kingdom and other friendly
Governments to support efforts by Belize and Guatemala to develop programmes of
mutual benefit to the two countries.
Heads of Government reaffirmed their resolve to maintain regional and
international support for Belize’s independence and territorial integrity, and
agreed to render appropriate assistance to the Government of Belize in efforts
to conclude the Treaty with Guatemala.
They declared that an early and acceptable conclusion of the problem
between Belize and Guatemala would encourage the strengthening and expansion of
relations between the Caribbean Community and the countries of Central America.
Haiti
Heads of Government reviewed developments in Haiti since their Informal
Session held in Barbados in March 1990.These
developments included the Second CARICOM Ministerial Mission, and the visit by
the CARICOM Working Group of Senior Electoral Officials to Haiti. Heads of
Government expressed the Caribbean Community’s continuing support for the
efforts and aspirations of the Haitian people to achieve a just and democratic
system of Government.They pledged
once again CARICOM’s preparedness to co-operate with the Government and people
of Haiti and with the United Nations and the Organisations of American States in
providing assistance for the holding of free and fair elections. They also
reiterated their commitment to help mobilise greater international material
support for the social and economic well-being of the Haitian people.
Heads of Government took note of a number of developments which could
have a negative effect on either the timing or the validity of the electoral
process. They expressed the hope that forces inside and outside Haiti would do
everything possible to help, and do nothing to hinder, Haiti’s transition to
electoral democracy.
They expressed appreciation to the Government of the Bahamas for that
Government’s assistance in furthering CARICOM-Haiti relations.
Central America
Heads of Government noted the recent developments in Central America and
expressed the hope that the peaceful conditions which have emerged in recent
times would become a permanent feature of the entire sub-region.
They hoped that these conditions would facilitate the early return of
refugees and displaced persons to their countries of origin as well as the
reconstruction of the economies of the sub-region.
Invasion of Kuwait
Heads of Government received with much concern the report that Iraqi
troops had invaded neighbouring Kuwait, a small State, deposing the Government
of that country and setting up what it has called a provisional Government.
Heads of Government considered this action by Iraq a flagrant violation
of the Charter of the United Nations and an assault on the principle of the
settlement of dispute by peaceful means. They called for the immediate and
unconditional withdrawal of the invading troops from the territory of Kuwait.
They reiterated the importance of full respect for the independence, sovereignty
and territorial integrity of states, and of the settlement of inter-state
disputes without resort to the threat or use of force. They called on the
Government of Iraq to cease its aggression and settle its differences with
Kuwait by peaceful means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.
Southern Africa
Heads of Government noted that a considerable evolution had taken place
in Southern Africa since their last meeting. In this context, they noted the
accession of Namibia to independence, the removal of the ban on the African
National Congress (ANC), and the release from prison of Nelson Mandela and other
political prisoners. They considered that such actions taken in response to
internal and external pressures had created what appears to be a real prospect
for a constructive dialogue between the de Klerk regime and the ANC.
They expressed concern at the number of apartheid laws and regulations
still in existence. They also expressed grave concern at the continuing violence
taking place and condemned, in particular, the violence unleashed by hard-line
white supremacists.
They called for the maintenance of sanctions against South Africa until
such time as clear and irreversible changes had taken place towards the complete
dismantling of the apartheid system.
With regard to the wider Southern African Region, Heads of Government
welcomed the efforts being made to negotiate a settlement to the conflicts in
Angola and Mozambique.
Developments in Eastern Europe
Heads of Government took note of the radical changes which had taken
place recently in Eastern Europe. They considered that these had ushered in a
new era, had facilitated the end of the cold war, had redefined the role of NATO
and the WARSAW Pact, and had made Eastern Europe a most dynamic factor in the
European political equation.
They reiterated their concern that the interests and needs of CARICOM
States could be subordinated as the western developed countries seek to respond
to the efforts of the Eastern European Countries for greater integration into
the global economy and participation in the international financial
institutions.
Drugs
Heads of Government welcomed the increased commitment of the
international community to co-operation and collaboration in the effort to
combat production, trafficking and abuse of illicit narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances. They further expressed special satisfaction at the
growing international recognition of the importance of demand reduction in
efforts to control both production and abuse.
Heads of Government discussed the importance of developing mechanisms to
protect the regional and international banking and financial systems from
subversion by the international drug traffickers. They committed their
governments to supporting strategies being developed in this important area.They also took note of the active participation of a number
of CARICOM States in the Aruba Drug / Money Laundering Conference in June 1990.
Heads of Government noted developments in respect of the establishment of the
international Criminal Court and committed themselves to maintaining efforts in
this regard.
THE
ENVIRONMENT
Heads of Government reiterated their commitment to the proper management,
protection and utilisation of the environment in support of development. They
agreed that international environmental efforts should recognise the sovereignty
of States and the responsibility of all peoples and Governments to preserve the
common ecological heritage of mankind.
They welcomed the commitment of the participants in the recent Economic
Summit in Houston to respect the sovereign rights of states in support of the
efforts to preserve and protect the global environment.
Heads of Government urged full participation by Member States in the
forth coming United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development in
Brasilia in 1992, and in the Second World Climate Conference in Geneva later
this year.They agreed that all
CARICOM States should be parties to the Convention for the Protection and
Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean, and the Protocol
concerning Co-operation in Combatting Oil Spills in the Wider Caribbean. They
supported the Environmental Action Plan for Latin America and the Caribbean.
They urged organisations such as the Commonwealth Secretariat and UNEP to
continue and increase their support to small states such as those in CARICOM to
facilitate their full and effective participation in the 1992 Conference and the
follow-up thereto.
They noted that the Second CARICOM Ministerial Conference on the
Environment to be held in Jamaica on September 1990 would review the progress
made since the First Conference; that the Preparatory Meeting of Caribbean and
Latin American Environment Ministers would take place in Trinidad and Tobago in
October 1990; and that the development and strengthening of the Caribbean
Environmental Health Institute continues.
They recorded their satisfaction with and endorsement of the
Commonwealth-Government of Guyana Programme for Sustainable Tropical Forestry
which they considered to be a practical example of linking the preservation of
the environment with the need for sustainable development. They complimented the
Government of Guyana on initiating the project and urged the international
community to provide the required support for the early and effective
implementation of the project.
TWENTY-FIFTH
ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNINGOF
THE DICKENSON BAY AGREEMENT
Heads of Government addressed attention to the fact that December 15,
1990 will mark the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of the signing of the Dickenson Bay
Agreement launching the movement into the Caribbean Free Trade Association
(CARIFTA) which was later deepened into CARICOM.
On a proposal by Antigua and Barbuda they agreed that an appropriate
programme of activities, in which they would participate, should take place on
that day in commemoration of this historical event.
DATE
AND VENUE OF THE NEXT MEETING
Heads of Government recalled their acceptance of the offer by the
Government of St. Kitts and Nevis to host the Twelfth Regular Meeting of the
Conference of Heads of Government and agreed that that Meeting would take place
in July 1991.They also agreed to
hold a Special Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda on December 14, 1990.
Kingston, Jamaica
2 August 1990
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