(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) The Hon. Tillman Thomas, Prime Minister of Grenada and Chairman of the Conference of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government, on Wednesday recorded the Community’s satisfaction with the death of Osama Bin Laden.

In a statement, Prime Minister Thomas said that CARICOM joined the international community in acknowledging Osama Bin Laden’s death and said that while Bin Laden’s demise did not reduce the levels of global insecurity that “his brazen and dastardly terrorist acts and those of his followers provoked,” it nevertheless contributed to the effectiveness of global alliances against terror.

It also sent “a clear message to those who would follow such a path that it was a futile and unrewarding means of achieving any end.”

The full text of the message reads:

The Caribbean Community joins the international community in acknowledging Osama Bin Laden’s death with sober satisfaction.

The terrorist attack of 11 September 2001 authored by Osama Bin Laden which claimed the lives of thousands, including more than 100 Caribbean nationals, profoundly distressed, not only those who lost loved ones but all peace loving members of the human family.

In declaring its solidarity with the Government and people of the United States following the attack that September, the Community in a statement from its then Chairman, had demanded “that the masterminds, and those in collusion with them, be found and that justice be done.”

Bin Laden’s demise does not reduce the levels of global insecurity that his brazen and dastardly terrorist act and those of his followers provoked, nor does it restore the lives so tragically taken or affected. It nevertheless contributes to the effectiveness of global alliances against terror and sends a clear message to those who would follow such a path that it is a futile and unrewarding means of achieving any end.

The Caribbean Community reaffirms its strong denouncement of terrorism and recommits to the fight against all threats against the innocent.

CONTACT: piu@caricom.org