CARICOM FOREIGN MINISTERS CLOSE MEETING

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 08 NASSAU 001071

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV ETRD BF CARICOM
SUBJECT: CARICOM FOREIGN MINISTERS CLOSE MEETING

REF: NASSAU 1043


1. Foreign Ministers from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM),
meeting as COFCOR (Council for Foreign and Community
Relations),concluded a series of meetings in Freeport, Grand
Bahama, on June 4 (reftel). In their discussions, the
ministers focused on relations with third countries (the
U.S., Canada, South Africa),the situation in Haiti, security
issues, undersea mineral rights, and opposition to
transhipment of nuclear material through the Caribbean. The
full text of the final communique follows. On the fringes of
the event, a Japanese delegation from their embassy in
Kingston, supplemented by Mitsua Sakaba, Director-General of
the Japanese MFA's Latin American and Caribbean Affairs
Bureau, assiduously promoted the Japanese candidacy for a
permanent seat on the UN Security Council.


Full Text of Closing Communique
--------------

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE EIGHTH MEETING OF
THE COUNCIL FOR FOREIGN AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS (COFCOR),1-2
JUNE 2005, FREEPORT, GRAND BAHAMA, THE BAHAMAS
The Eighth Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community
Relations (COFCOR) was held in Freeport, Grand Bahama, The
Bahamas, on 1-2 June 2005.
The Ministers attending were: Dr the Hon. Edmund Mansoor,
Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister,
Antigua and Barbuda; Hon Frederick A Mitchell, Minister of
Foreign Affairs and the Public Service, The Bahamas; Hon.
Dame Billie Miller, D.A, B.C.H, Senior Minister and Minister
of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Barbados; Hon. Assad
Shoman, Minister of National Development, Belize; Senator the
Hon Charles Savarin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade,
Labour and the Public Service, Dominica; Hon. Elvin Nimrod,
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Grenada;
Hon. S. R. Insanally, O.R, C.C.H, M.P, Minister of Foreign
Affairs ,Guyana; Senator the Hon. Delano Franklyn, Minster of
State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade,
Jamaica; Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris, Minister of Foreign
Affairs, International Trade, Industry and Commerce, St.
Kitts and Nevis; Senator the Hon. Petrus Compton, Minister of
External Affairs, International Trade and Civil Aviation,
Saint Lucia; Hon. Mike Browne, Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Commerce and Trade, St Vincent and the Grenadines; Hon. Maria
Levens, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Suriname; Senator the
Hon. Knowlson Gift, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trinidad and
Tobago.
OPENING CEREMONY
In his Opening Remarks the Secretary General of the Caribbean
Community (CARICOM),His Excellency Edwin W. Carrington,
noted that the Council was meeting in The Bahamas for its
Eighth Session at a time of major regional, hemispheric and
global developments. Within the Community, progress towards
the establishment of the Single Market and Economy continues
apace. At the hemispheric level, the Organisation of American
States had elected a new Secretary General and its General
Assembly will shortly convene in Fort Lauderdale. The
Secretary General expressed the hope that one outcome of the

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General Assembly would be the election of the CARICOM
candidate to the position of Assistant Secretary General. The
Secretary General also alluded to the critical role the

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COFCOR will have to play in the discussions on the reform of
the United Nations. He concluded with an overview of the
initiatives which the Community was taking to enhance its
relations with traditional and nontraditional partners and
with other regional groupings.
In her address, the outgoing Chairman, Dame Billie Miller,
Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign
Trade of Barbados, said that in reviewing events of the past
year, it is clear that conflict resolution, or perhaps
"irresolution", the challenge of a new interpretation of
security and of reform in the international management of
security, have been, and indeed continue to be, key foreign
policy issues before the Region and the international
community as well.
She outlined the Region,s efforts to respond to the actions
of various stakeholders in the Haitian crisis and noted that
progress could only be achieved through dialogue, sustained
contact between all parties, negotiation and mediation. She
also noted that use of the CARICOM Task Force had been an
indispensable tool in keeping the channels of communication
open and in working towards the stated commitment of CARICOM
to assist the people of Haiti.
The Minister concluded by acknowledging that having a
coordinated position enabled the Region to move forward
together in its engagement with the international community.
She asserted that beyond the internal impetus for concerted
action, external push factors also required the Region to
continue to function jointly as an actor on the world stage
as far as it is feasible to do so.
The Chairman of COFCOR, Hon Frederick Mitchell, Minister of
Foreign Affairs and Public Service of The Bahamas, in his
feature address said that he accepted the chairmanship of the
COFCOR against the background of a 22-year formal commitment
by The Bahamas to CARICOM. He said that The Bahamas was
committed to CARICOM, save and except that it is unable to
participate in the arrangements for the Single Market and
Economy. He noted that the Meeting was taking place against
the backdrop of a changing global landscape of international
political, economic and social challenges that will impact
the lives of the people of CARICOM in the years to come.
He called for the definition and articulation of common, or
at the very least, coordinated responses as it was important
for the Region to be seen as acting as a &community8.
He also expressed the view that the Community should also
seek to develop and strengthen relations with Africa and
selected Asian countries. He suggested that the Region should
use all mechanisms at its disposal such as Joint Commissions
and outreach at the multilateral level to develop strategic
alliances.
He drew attention to the issues related to security
especially within the context of the reform of the Security
Council, and the Caribbean Sea which were of priority to this
Meeting.
He noted that a most compelling issue however was the return
of Haiti to the Councils of CARICOM. He stressed the need for
free and fair elections and for all citizens of Haiti to be
allowed to participate in its political processes free from
arbitrary arrest or concerns of political violence and
discrimination.
THE ORGANISATION OF AMERICAN STATES (OAS)
Ministers noted that the XXXV Meeting of the OAS which would
take place in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on 5-7 June, would
afford the countries of the hemisphere an opportunity to
discuss issues of particular relevance to their states.
They noted that the Assembly would be guided by the newly
appointed Secretary-General, Ignacius Jos Miguel Insulza,
and noted in this regard the enhanced role that the
Secretary-General envisioned for the OAS in strengthening

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democracy and good governance in the hemisphere, and in
promoting within that Organisation the enhancement of
economic, social and cultural conditions for the peoples of
the Americas.
Ministers stressed the need for the OAS to continue to define
security from a multi-faceted approach which would include,
inter alia, poverty and HIV/AIDS. They also recognised the
need to promote the delivery of technical cooperation along a
programmatic theme with modules rather than individual
projects.
Ministers reviewed the Draft Declaration of Florida prepared
by the USA which was expected to be adopted at the XXXV
Meeting of the General Assembly. Ministers indicated their
intention to actively participate in the discussions at the
Meeting on this issue.
ASSOCIATION OF CARIBBEAN STATES (ACS)
Ministers reviewed preparation for the Fourth Summit of the
Association of Caribbean States which is scheduled to be held
in Panama City, Panama, from 28-29 July 2005 the theme of
which is "The ACS: Realising Its Vision".
Ministers emphasized the continued geo-political importance
of an ACS with a shared vision and purpose, and as a forum
for consultation, cooperation and coordination among the
countries of the wider Caribbean.
Ministers expressed the hope that the Summit would attract
the participation of all Heads of Government of the ACS in
order that the vision for the ACS for the next five to ten
years may be adopted at the highest political level.
FOURTH SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS
Ministers noted preparations to date for the Fourth Summit of
the Americas to be held in Mar del Plata, Argentina, in
November 2005. They agreed that the Region would continue its
coordinated approach to the Summit.
UNITED NATIONS
Ministers noted the current developments on the issue of
United Nations reform generally, and on the various, specific
options which have been proferred in respect of the reform of
the ECOSOC, the Security Council, and the Human Rights
Commission. They also noted the proposed establishment of a
Peace-building Commission.
Ministers agreed that the decisions taken on UN reform will
have long-lasting consequences for the functioning of the
organisation, as well as for the development, security, and
human rights issues that fall within its purview.
Ministers also agreed to the establishment of a core Group of
the Bureau expanded, and supported by the respective
Permanent Representatives to the UN in New York, mandated to
keep abreast of developments in the UN on the issue of reform
as a whole, and to carry forward the views of the Community
on these issues in a timely and coherent manner.
Ministers agreed to keep Heads of Government fully informed
of these developments.
RIO GROUP
The Ministers welcomed the assumption by Guyana on behalf of
CARICOM of the Chairmanship of the Rio Group in 2006.
They acknowledged the key role which the Rio Group continued
to play as a forum for political consultation and cooperation
in the Latin American region and in that regard pledged their
continued support to Guyana in its chairmanship.
The Ministers also agreed to recommend to the Conference the
endorsement of Belize,s application for full membership of
the Rio Group.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
The Ministers reaffirmed the importance the Region attached
to its relationship with the United States. They underlined
the necessity of ensuring that channels of communication
remained open with this important hemispheric neighbour
which, through the Third Border Initiative, has emphasized
the interest it accords to the sub-region. The Ministers
looked forward to their meeting with the Secretary of State
during the upcoming OAS General Assembly in Fort Lauderdale
and viewed this as an opportunity for the further
strengthening of relations between the Community and the US.
CANADA
The Ministers reiterated the value the Community places on
the special relationship with Canada, and on the maintenance
of their fruitful relations, through existing bilateral
mechanisms. Ministers looked forward to their forthcoming
traditional engagement with the Canadian Foreign Minister in
the margins of the upcoming OAS General Assembly and to
continued dialogue at the level of Heads of Government.
Ministers welcomed Canada,s continued support for the
reconstruction and development of Haiti.
EUROPEAN UNION
Ministers reaffirmed the critical importance the Region
attaches to its relations with the European Union which are
based on mutual respect and partnership. They noted that the
current negotiations between the Caribbean and the European
Union for an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) are
presently focused on support for the strengthening of
Caribbean regional integration and that this phase will
conclude in September 2005 with a Joint Caribbean - EU
Ministerial Meeting. Ministers emphasised that while the EPA
will result in new trading arrangements it must specifically
take into account the differences in the level of development
between the countries of the Caribbean and the EU and among
the Caribbean countries themselves.
The Ministers reiterated the shared commitment of the
Caribbean and the EU that the EPA should be an instrument of
development must find concrete expression in the provisions
of the agreement.
FRANCE/DFAs
The Ministers noted the recent French initiatives for
rapprochement with CARICOM as demonstrated by the proposal
for a cooperation framework agreement between France and
CARICOM.
They welcomed the recent initiative to enhance the
relationship between CARICOM and the Departments of France in
the Americas (DFAs). Ministers observed that this
relationship was particularly important in light of the
ongoing negotiations for a region-specific Economic
Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the Caribbean and the EU.
They observed that the OECS Member States and Suriname have
traditionally enjoyed close, mutually beneficial relations
with their neighbouring DFAs. The Ministers agreed to the
early establishment of a structured relationship between
CARICOM and the DFAs.
UNITED KINGDOM
The Ministers reviewed implementation of decisions taken at
the Fourth UK-Caribbean Forum and the preparations for the
Fifth Forum which is scheduled to take place in Barbados in

2006. With regard to their relations with the UK, the
Ministers noted the progress achieved in the framework of the
UK-Caribbean security cooperation, the support given by the
UK for HIV/AIDS, the two tourism projects and the trade and
investment forum which is scheduled for 21 June 2005. The
Ministers also noted that the United Kingdom assumed the
Chairmanship of the G-8 on 1 June and will preside the EU as
of 1 July 2005. The usefulness of the Transmission Mechanism
adopted in Georgetown at the Third Meeting of the Forum in
2002, was underlined.
ITALY
The COFCOR welcomed the impending July 2005 visit of the
CARICOM Secretary-General to Rome which has as one of its
main objectives the strengthening of relations between the
Community and Italy. In this regard a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) will be signed. The MOU identifies a
number of areas in which the two parties seek to strengthen
cooperation including science and technology, education and
culture. The MOU will formalise the amicable relations
already enjoyed by CARICOM and Italy.
BRAZIL
The Ministers acknowledged the growing influence of Brazil in
hemispheric and global relations. They welcomed the
initiatives by the administration of President Lula DaSilva
to foster closer relations with the Caribbean Community and
the offer of technical assistance and cooperation in the
sugar and agricultural sectors and initiatives to strengthen
trade links. The Ministers also welcomed the active
consideration by Brazil of involvement in the Caribbean
Development Bank. Ministers supported the continuation of
exploratory discussions on a possible trade agreement between
CARICOM and MERCOSUR, in which Brazil is a key member. They
also agreed that the CARICOM-Brazil relationship should be
formalised.
CUBA
The Ministers discussed issues arising from the Seventh
Meeting of the CARICOM-Cuba Joint Commission held in March
2005 and the preparations for the Second CARICOM-Cuba Summit
which will take place in Barbados in December 2005 to
celebrate CARICOM-Cuba Day. They viewed this high level event
as an important opportunity to further their dialogue on
issues of relevance to the economic and social development of
the Caribbean Region.
MEXICO
Ministers reiterated the value which the Community placed on
its relationship with Mexico. They agreed that the
CARICOM/Mexico Joint Commission should meet at the technical
level at the earliest possible opportunity to continue
discussions with a view to strengthening the relationship.
EUROPEAN UNION, LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN (EU/LAC)
Ministers reviewed developments in the EU-LAC Bi-Regional
process and reaffirmed that there is a compelling need to
ensure full and effective participation by the Caribbean in
the EU-LAC Summit process as a means of expanding the scope
and range of their cooperation links with Latin American and
EU partners. To that end they agreed that the Region must
remain proactive in the process. They regarded strong
participation by Caribbean Heads in the Fourth EU-LAC Summit
in Austria in May 2006 as essential in order to contribute to
the future direction of the process by securing the inclusion
of issues of particular relevance to the Region on the EU-LAC
agenda.
INDIA
The Ministers expressed appreciation at the initiatives taken
subsequent to their meeting with the Minister of State in the
Indian Ministry of External Affairs in Suriname in February
of this year. These included the computerisation project for
the new CARICOM headquarters building, the interest shown in
supporting the work of the Caribbean Community Climate Change
Center in Belize and the convening of a business forum in
Trinidad and Tobago. They reiterated their commitment to
strengthen this relationship and agreed that the inaugural
meeting of the CARICOM-India Joint Commission should be held
at a mutually convenient date.
JAPAN
The Ministers discussed preparations for the Second Meeting
of CARICOM/Japan Foreign Ministers. They reaffirmed the
importance of this valuable partnership, which had been
formalized by the signing of a framework agreement in 2000.
They expressed appreciation to the Government of Japan for
its recent contribution to the construction of the new
headquarters building for the CARICOM Secretariat, the
support to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) and
especially to the recovery efforts following recent
hurricanes, and the unprecedented flooding in Guyana and to
the work on disaster management. They hoped that a mutually
convenient date would soon be found for the Ministerial forum
that provides for the advancement of bilateral cooperation
and facilitates dialogue on issues of critical importance in
multilateral fora.
AFRICAN/CARIBBEAN DIASPORA CONFERENCE
The Ministers received a report of the recommendations of the
recently held "South Africa-African Union-Caribbean African
Diaspora Conference" which was jointly hosted by South Africa
and Jamaica in Kingston, Jamaica, in March 2005. The
Ministers congratulated the two Governments on this
initiative which was an important step in strengthening the
relationship between the Caribbean and the African continent.
They encouraged the CARICOM and the African Union
Secretariats to continue their efforts to formalize their

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relationship with a view to facilitating the pursuit of the
many recommendations arising from the Meeting and generally
strengthening the relationship.
The Ministers extended their condolences to the Hon. Foreign
Minister of South Africa on the passing of her mother.
The Ministers also acknowledged the important role which the
Region,s own Diaspora could play in furthering the Region,s
interests abroad and in supporting the Region,s development
initiatives and urged that a greater effort be made to
develop relations with the Diaspora in all the metropolitan
centers.
CANDIDATURES
The Ministers reiterated their support for the candidature of
Ambassador Albert Ramdin of Suriname for the position of the
OAS Assistant Secretary-General, and agreed to issue the
attached statement. They also reaffirmed support for Dr
Chelston Braithwaite of Barbados for the position of
Director-General of the Inter-American Institute for
Cooperation on Agriculture and the Region,s continued
support for Trinidad and Tobago as the site of the FTAA
Secretariat.

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They congratulated Dr. Carol Jacobs on her assumption of the
Chair of the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and
Malaria (GFTAM).
BELIZE-GUATEMALA
Ministers were briefed on the ongoing process in respect of
the Belize-Guatemala Territorial Differendum.
Ministers reaffirmed unequivocal support for the territorial
integrity and sovereignty of Belize and urged the two
countries to intensify the process of negotiations under the
auspices of the OAS in order to bring the territorial claim
to an early end through a peaceful, just and definitive
resolution of the territorial differendum between the two
countries. They expressed appreciation for the work of the
office of the Secretariat of the OAS in the adjacency zone to
maintain peace and improve relations between the peoples of
the two countries, especially in the border area, and
appealed to countries to support the special OAS Fund for
that purpose.
GUYANA-VENEZUELA
The Ministers noted with satisfaction that relations between
Guyana and Venezuela continued to be cordial.
They underscored the importance of the ongoing dialogue at
the level of Heads of State and Ministers of Foreign Affairs
in promoting this cordiality and noted that such dialogue had
resulted in a renewal of commitment to a peaceful settlement
of the controversy through the mechanism of the United
Nations Good Offices Process and to functional cooperation
under the aegis of the Guyana/Venezuela High Level Bilateral
Commission.
The Ministers reiterated their full support for the
preservation of Guyana,s sovereignty and its right to the
unrestricted development of all its territory for the benefit
of its people.
CARIBBEAN SEA AND THE MOVEMENT OF HAZARDOUS WASTE
Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to pursue the objective
of gaining international recognition of the Caribbean Sea as
a special area within the context of sustainable development
in light of its fragility and its importance to Caribbean
peoples.
In this regard, Ministers remained resolute in their
opposition to the transshipment of nuclear waste and other
hazardous materials through the marine environment of the
Caribbean noting the serious threat to life and the
ecosystems of the Caribbean.
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ISSUES
The Ministers noted that in the "age of terrorism" security
issues continued to figure prominently on the international
agenda. The obligations in this area resulting from the
adoption of international and hemispheric instruments related
to the war against terrorism had been onerous for the limited
resources of the small states of the Region. These
obligations were however accepted as a matter of principle
and of practicality.
They noted that in the present environment of global
interdependence, the internal and external aspects of
security were inextricably linked.
They expressed their concern that the centrality of this
issue had diverted attention and resources from the priority
issues of the developing world. In this regard, the Ministers
reiterated their position that security was multifaceted in
nature and agreed to continue to advocate this view in
international fora and in their dialogue with third states.
The Ministers noted the detention by US Immigration officials
of Mr. Luis Posada Carriles, an individual long associated
with acts of violence against the Government of Cuba and a
primary suspect as one of the authors of the most horrific
acts of terrorism ever experienced by the countries of
CARICOM, the 1976 bombing of a Cubana aircraft in
international waters off Barbados.
The Ministers recalled the trauma this event had caused to
the Governments and peoples of the Region, and to the
families of the 73 innocent victims, who were citizens of
countries both within the Caribbean and beyond. They
reiterated their continuing concern to ensure that all of the
perpetrators of this despicable crime be brought to justice
and their expectation therefore that the Government of the
United States of America would take appropriate action in
respect of the accused terrorist in its custody.
The Ministers further recalled the commitment which both
CARICOM and the United States of America shared as members of
the international community to fight against terrorism in all
its forms, and their solemn undertaking, in keeping with the
many Security Council Resolutions on the subject, that
suspected terrorists should find no safe haven in any of
their countries. They looked forward therefore to a
satisfactory resolution of the present issue so that closure
could be brought to this most painful event in the Region,s
history.
HAITI
The Ministers expressed their deep concern over the
continuing deterioration of the situation in Haiti. The
fragility and volatility of the security environment in
Port-au-Prince had increased as illustrated by the most
recent grave incidents of violence affecting Haitians of all
walks of life. In this regard, they viewed the recommendation
of the United Nations Secretary General to increase the size
of MINUSTAH as being of critical importance.
The Ministers noted that respect for human rights, due
process and the rule of law remained abysmal. The prolonged
detention of former Primer Minister Neptune before being
charged was symptomatic of wider due process problems. They
reiterated the importance of adherence to the principles
enshrined in the CARICOM Charter of Civil Society as well as
in hemispheric and international human rights instruments to
which Haiti was a signatory.
The Ministers acknowledged that the political challenges in
Haiti remained daunting. They underlined the importance of
the process of national dialogue in reducing polarization and
helping to attain reconciliation and thereby contributing to
an environment conducive to stability and development. In
this regard the importance of accelerating the disbursement
of funds pledged by the donor community was emphasized. It
was feared that the slow progress of the voter registration
process, organizational and logistical delays as well as
security concerns would jeopardize the timely preparation of
elections. The importance of an inclusive political and
electoral process leading to free, fair and credible
elections was underlined.
The Ministers determined that CARICOM should remain engaged
on Haiti and continue to provide assistance to the people of
Haiti through the CARICOM Task Force on Haiti.
NATURAL DISASTERS
The Ministers recalled the devastation suffered by several
Caribbean countries during the hurricane season of 2004. In
this regard they paid tribute to the many countries and
agencies which worked in partnership with the devastated
countries and with CARICOM in relief and in the massive
reconstruction effort that is still underway. They pledged
their continued support and solidarity with the affected
CARICOM States in their recovery effort.
APPRECIATION
Ministers expressed their appreciation to the Government and
people of The Bahamas for the excellent arrangements made for
the conduct of their Meeting and the hospitality extended
during their stay.
VENUE
Ministers welcomed the offer by the Government of Grenada to
host the Ninth Meeting of their Council in 2006.
Freeport, Grand Bahama
The Bahamas
3 June 2005
STATEMENT
CARICOM FOREIGN MINISTERS REAFFIRM SUPPORT
FOR ITS CANDIDATE FOR OAS POST
The Caribbean Community Council for Foreign and Community
Relations (COFCOR),meeting in the Bahamas on 2 June 2005,
led by the Hon. Frederick Mitchell, Minister of Foreign
Affairs of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, reaffirmed the
Community,s unanimous support for the candidature of
Ambassador Albert R. Ramdin of Suriname for the position of
Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American
States at elections to be held during the XXXV Meeting of the
General Assembly of the Organization of American States in
June 2005.
Ambassador Ramdin,s candidature was endorsed by the CARICOM
Heads of Government at their Twenty Fourth Conference held in
July 2004.
The CARICOM Foreign Ministers expressed their appreciation
for the growing support that Ambassador Ramdin has received
to date.
In the spirit of unity and solidarity, CARICOM Foreign
Ministers call for his election by acclamation of all
participants at the Meeting in Fort Lauderdale.
3 June 2005
Grand Bahama, Bahamas

MINIMIZE CONSIDERED
WITAJEWSKI