Press Release 103/2003
(24 July 2003)

Your Excellency Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community
Members of Staff of the CARICOM Secretariat
Colleague Members of Staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Media

I feel deeply honoured today to present to you, Secretary-General, the letters which accredit me as Guyana's Ambassador to the Caribbean Community.

As can be evidenced from Guyana's foreign policy, the Government has sought to deepen its bilateral relations with the countries of the Caribbean Community, its neighbours and those countries of the wider hemisphere.  As you are aware, we feel that we are strategically placed to play a pivotal role in working with sister Member States to deepen and expand CARICOM's ties with other regional groupings and in particular, the countries of the South American continent.  There is tremendous potential and reciprocal interest in promoting these ties.

Guyana holds its membership of CARICOM in the highest esteem.  This decision by the Government of Guyana to accredit an ambassador to CARICOM is another demonstration of Guyana's commitment to the goals of the Caribbean Community.

Over the years we have valued, and continue to value, the firm support of CARICOM in our efforts to maintain our sovereignty and territorial integrity.  It is our belief that as we share not only common elements of history and circumstance that we owe it to ourselves to strive for that common destiny which would give some credence to the oft-repeated - but for some hard to believe - observation, that in CARICOM ''We are One".

Guyana is proud that CARICOM finds its home here.  With the celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas and the imminent completion of the new Headquarters Building, a unique juncture is proffered that could herald a new phase in regional endeavour and cooperation.  In this regard, Secretary-General, permit me to allude to the "Sunset Principle" which you once feared would be ascribed to the completion of this project.  You can be assured that the sun is now rising over Liliendaal in testimony to the fulfillment of the obligation of the Government of Guyana to provide a permanent and suitable building to accommodate the staff of the Secretariat who continue to give unstinted and selfless service to our cause for regional integration.

I have had the opportunity to work closely with you, your executive team and other members of your staff.  As I undertake this new mandate, I look forward to an even closer working relationship.  In addition, I look forward to a greater level of collaboration with my colleague ambassadors to CARICOM and other CARICOM officials of the Member States as we continue to play our part towards the successful and effective implementation of the several decisions of our Heads of State and Government.

I take this opportunity to wish you and your staff continued good health and success.

I thank you.