Press release 31/2003
(14 February 2003)

Mr. Chairman
Colleague Heads
Ministers and Delegates
Distinguished Honorees
Your Excellencies
Esteemed Guests:

I wish to thank the Government and people of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago for their gracious hospitality. Jamaica looks forward to reciprocating this generosity when we host the 24^th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government.

I must express the gratitude of the entire Community to our outgoing Chairman, President Bharrat Jagdeo, for the outstanding leadership during his incumbency and pledge as a member of the Bureau to work closely with the Honourable Pierre Charles, Prime Minister of Dominica, while he seeks to guide our destiny during the challenging period ahead. 

Mr. Chairman,  the selectors have included me in this formidable batting order by virtue of being “the most newly elected Head.”

There are other reasons which could be advanced, having made both my first Ministerial foray at Caribbean Summits here and my Prime Ministerial debut at the Conference of Heads as well.   I now regard Port-of-Spain as “home ground.”

Let me publicly admit that a constant source of motivation in our quest for a fourth term was fueled by the recognition that the consequences to regional integration were too grievous to contemplate had we not been victorious.

By propitious timing and the quirk of historic circumstances, I regard this opportunity to speak at the opening of the Fourteenth Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference as a unique privilege.

It is a historic coincidence that I am afforded this distinction. As a Ministerial Participant in the momentous Conference of Heads during November 1972, which led to my witnessing the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramus 30 years ago, it is difficult to resist the temptation to engage in nostalgia on an occasion such as this.

But we should always remember that each match requires its own distinctive level of performance.   Our run rate is measured by the strokes we play which foster regional integration and further the well being of our Caribbean people.

By dint of celebrating three decades of existence, CARICOM has now become one of the oldest Integration Groups still in existence. But as we readily recognize, especially in light of contemporary events in South Africa, mere occupation of the crease will not suffice.

Facing a constant barrage of bumpers from the media, academics, our musicians, (and at times from ourselves), CARICOM has endured.

Despite the disappointments and setbacks, we have much to be thankful for:

• The nurturing of our democracy;
• The creative talents of our people and their proven resilience;
• The endurance and maturity of our regional institutions;
• Our collective responses to a variety of political, economic and social crises

Let no one suggest I am pretending that everything is all right. This will not be so until we have vanquished poverty and banished ignorance; until we have curbed crime and made our economies less vulnerable to the ravages of natural disasters.

CHALLENGES

The whole international environment – political, economic and social- is markedly different from that of three decades ago.

Today, the entire region is confronted with many and varied challenges. Primary among these is the challenge of globalisation.

Small, vulnerable economies like ours, with their inherent constraints and limitations, have been at a significant disadvantage in commandeering for ourselves and our peoples, the maximum benefits that such a process should permit.

We are all faced with the challenge of integrating our economies in the global marketplace, while ensuring that we maintain stable economies characterised by sustained economic growth and increased job creation.

Globalisation compels a clear and coherent regional economic response.

We in CARICOM must harmonize our productive capacity and export activities in order to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the new global marketplace.

The CARICOM Single Market and Economy was first conceived in 1989. It is more than time for it to see the light of day.

We dare not concede to other countries rights of access for the procurement of goods and services which are not available between us.

We must pursue a common international economic policy that emphasizes greater productive capacity, increased competitiveness and more targeted global market penetration.

The region is engaged in external economic negotiations which, by virtue of the fact that many occur simultaneously, place significant strain on our resources. We must therefore remain vigilant and ensure that those special agreements which have been reached in the framework stage of these negotiations, including the World Trade Organisation and the Cotonou Agreement, are duly reflected in the final text of the negotiations.

The technical skills and expertise of the Regional Negotiating Machinery, in all our Governments, as well as to the private sector and organized labour, are critical to the success of these far-reaching negotiations.

LOOKING AHEAD

Mr. Chairman,

CARICOM still remains the best vehicle to promote the welfare and advance the collective interests of sovereign Caribbean nations.

But after 30 years, there is a need not only to inspect the engine but to overhaul it completely. It must be retrofitted so that we have an efficient and reliable vehicle to take us on a new leg of our journey to realise our collective future.

This collective future must involve significant improvements in the quality of life for all our people. It must involve the building of modern Caribbean societies and competitive economies. We have to strive to attain first world standards and achievements with economic vibrancy, cultural sophistication and confidence in our selves.

In doing so, there are certain issues that we must confront head-on if we are to realise our goals:

• The increased threats of crime and violence in a growing number of territories must be addressed. The security of this region is of critical importance to the future development of the Community.

• The health risk posed to the peoples of the Caribbean Community by HIV/AIDS cannot be ignored.

• The Caribbean has developed an international reputation in the area of tourism. We must move toward the development of strategic marketing alliances and seek closer and deeper collaboration in this area.

• We must accelerate the development of our human resources and our technological skills.

• We must improve our productive capacity and market access.>

• There must be no further delay before the Caribbean Court of Justice comes into existence. Its raison d’etre does not depend on capital punishment. When it was first conceived in 1970 the death penalty was alive and well in the United Kingdom.

• The preservation of democratic systems has been a source of strength for our Community and we must reassert ourselves in ensuring that we encourage its protection and broaden our levels of participation.

CONCLUSION

Mr. Chairman,

I see the signals coming from the players’ dressing room.

I am being beckoned towards the pavilion.

Let me once again in Port of Spain renew my sacred pledge to play my part in the fulfillment of that mission which inspired our Founding Fathers at Chaguaramus.

Permit me the liberty of quoting from my first presentation to Heads in 1972:  

“Our situation no longer permits time just for talking. It is high time for action here and now. In today’s world there is no question of simply standing still. Just to mark time is to be left behind.”

Mr. Chairman,

We have to put more runs on the board and quicken the pace of scoring. Otherwise we will certainly lose the game. Time is running out.

“Carpe diem” – Let us seize the moment now.