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Heads of Government, at
their Fifth Special Meeting held in Barbados on 16 December 1996 reviewed the
issues of co-operation between the United States and Governments of the Caribbean
Community in the fight against the illicit drug trade within the broad context
of U.S./CARICOM relations.
Heads of Government recognised
the fundamental coincidence of interest of CARICOM Member States and the U.S.
in a peaceful, stable and prosperous Caribbean. To that end, they reaffirmed the
importance of a health relationship with the U.S. based on respect for sovereignty
and territorial integrity, dialogue, consultation and mutually beneficial co-operation.
Heads of Government recognised
that narco-trafficking and its associated evils of money laundering, gun smuggling,
corruption of public officials, criminality and drug abuse constitute the major
security threat to the Caribbean today. They noted the vulnerability of
the Region to the illicit drug trade through the destruction caused to civil societies
and the possible use of the Region’s territory for illegal narcotic transhipments
to North America and Europe. They reaffirmed their commitment to the campaign
for the elimination of drug abuse and illicit trafficking in drugs and to co-operate
through bilateral and multilateral efforts in accordance with the provision of
relevant international conventions. In this regard, they stressed the need
for appropriate emphasis to be given in the campaign to control the different
aspects of the drug trade-production, distribution, consumption and money laundering.
They also noted
with deep concern the growth in the allied problem of gun smuggling and the resulting
increase in criminal activity from the spread of drugs and guns. They urgently
called for further measures to control the supply and illicit trade in guns which
present a serious security threat to Caribbean societies.
Heads of Government
noted with equal concern the challenge facing the Region from indiscriminate deportations
leading to increase in criminality. In this regard, they called for greater co-operation
in deportation procedures.
Heads of Government
recognised the right of sovereign countries to enter into mutually acceptable
agreements. They also rejected any suggestion or threat of coercive measures as
a means of extracting compliance with predetermined policies. They warned that
unfounded allegations, innuendoes and the threat of punitive measures, aimed at
the economic welfare of Caribbean States, would only weaken the collective effort
against drug trafficking and undermine the foundations of the good relations which
the Region has enjoyed and seeks to maintain with the U.S. They stressed the need
for dialogue and a spirit of partnership in a common cause.
They acknowledged
the need for comprehensive co-operation and technical assistance in counter-narcotics
operations, in the light of limited capabilities and resources and welcomed offers
made for such assistance in drug interdiction. They underlined the importance
of ensuring that all such programmes are based on full respect for the territorial
integrity and the legal systems of Caribbean States. They expect that all the
requisite procedures will be conducted in accordance with national constitutions
and laws.
In order to
promote meaningful dialogue, they called for an adequate and timely flow of all
necessary information, a willingness to engage in mutual discussions before final
assessments of performance are made and a preparedness to provide all available
evidence, so that such allegations as may eventually be made public, can be substantiated
in accordance with relevant law.
Heads of Government
recalled that, in order to enhance counter-narcotics co-operation, they adopted
in July 1996 a Regional Plan of Action against drugs. It was noted that such a
Plan specifically provided for numerous bilateral co-operation agreements in maritime
interdiction to be consolidated into a regional agreement. In this regard, and
in keeping with Article 17 of the CARICOM Treaty, they decided to establish an
Inter-Governmental Task Force charged with proposing a mechanism for implementation
of the plan.
Heads of Government
also expressed the view that greater co-ordination was desirable at the hemispheric
level, in light of the broad dimensions of the problem and the need for effective
interaction and co-operation involving all countries. To this end, they
endorsed the proposal for a regional meeting with a view to a hemispheric conference
to review all the elements of the problem of drug trafficking and to devise a
strategic plan towards its elimination, as called for by the recently concluded
Third Ministerial Conference of CARICOM and Central American Foreign Ministers.
While recognising
the critical importance of the fight against illegal drugs, the Heads of Government
emphasised that this should not be dealt with in isolation from the wider problems
of development in the Caribbean.
It was decided
that in closer consultation between CARICOM Member States and the U.S. needed
to take place on a range of pressing issues to Member States including NAFTA parity,
the special position of the smaller economies in the FTAA process and the legitimate
concerns of the banana-producing countries. It was therefore agreed that the Chairman
of CARICOM should convey to the President of the U.S. the concerns of CARICOM
Heads of Government and should request a meeting at the highest possible level
at the earliest opportunity in 1997.
Heads of Government
agreed to make much more effective use of the mechanisms for foreign policy co-ordination
in the Treaty of Chaguaramas.
16 December 1996
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