US embassy cable - 05NASSAU1071

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