All Jamaica and the Caribbean mourn the passing of Honourable William Demas, O.C.C., on Saturday last in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

The late William Demas had already reached the highest echelons of official service in Trinidad and Tobago, when he embarked on the wider mission of the drive for Caribbean integration.

He was at one and the same time a propeller and an anchor for every meaningful advance in the process of regional integration.

He guided the evolution from CARIFTA to Community and became the first Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community and Common Market. As President of the Caribbean Development Bank, he gave 15 years of outstanding leadership. His record of service to the Caribbean sub-region is unparalleled.

It was therefore most deserving that he was one of the first to be honoured by the Region's highest Award,. The Order of the Caribbean Community.

But William Demas' contribution went far beyond his prestigious regional offices . He was at all times available for consultation by the Heads of Government of Caribbean States, both individually and collectively. Without fanfare or publicity, he played a critically important role in removing such hurdles as inevitably appear in regional integration movements from time to time.

His concern with passing the torch of his erudition to the younger generation of West Indians was admirably reflected in the volume of his works on the socio-economic history and problems of the Region. More recently, he came to the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies as a much treasured researcher and mentor.

Over the past several years, I have always been fortunate to be able to count on the wise counsel and friendship of William Demas. I cannot recall one instance in which he did not readily respond to demands on his rich store of wisdom.

William Demas will be sorely missed, but his untiring service and the quality of his scholarship shall forever remain as monuments to the great man whose shoes cannot be easily filled.

The Jamaican Cabinet today, placed on record its warm tribute to a ded icated son of the Caribbean, who dedicated his life to furthering the growth and identity of the Caribbean people.

To his wife, Norma, and his daughter, Allison, and the rest of his family, I extend heartfelt sympathy on behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica at this time of bereavement. They can draw both consolation and strength from the high esteem in which William Demas will always be held throughout the Region which he served so well.

The Region has lost a stalwart servant, a fine scholar and a true visionary.

Those of us who were privileged to know him must build on the rich and lasting testament he has bequeathed.

30 November 1998

Issued by the Office of the Prime Minister
Jamaica House,
Kingston
JAMAICA