St Lucia hosts 26th summit of Caribbean Heads of Government

by Norman 'Gus' Thomas
Caribbean Net News Senior Correspondent on assignment in Castries

CASTRIES, St. Lucia: Known to many as the "Helen of the West", St Lucia, which is one of the Windward Islands of the Eastern Caribbean, is situated just south of Martinique. Officials at the Foreign Affairs Ministry told Caribbean Net News that the 238 sq. mile island is volcanic in origin and has wooded mountains running from north to south, with many streams flowing into fertile valleys.

According to the history books, the first inhabitants of St Lucia were the Arawak Indians who were reportedly chased off the island by the Caribs. Having being explored by Spain, followed by France, the country came under British control back in 1814, making it one of the Windward Islands around 1871.

Like the other Windward Islands, St Lucia gained Statehood in 1967 as part of the then West Indies Associated States (WIAS).

On February 22, 1979, notwithstanding an opposition boycott of the ceremony by the St Lucia Labour Party (SLLP), as they had called for a referendum before severing ties with Britain, St Lucia became a full independent and sovereign state.

The ruling United Workers Party (UWP) then called new elections and were "whipped" by the St Lucia Labour Party (SLLP). The political history of the country records that the UWP was returned to office in the 1982, 1987, and 1992 elections.

Kenny Anthony, who will be once again welcoming the CARICOM Secretary General and the other Heads to the 26th General Meeting of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, became Prime Minister in 1997, when his St Lucia Labour Party won 16 of the 17 parliamentary seats.

A decision in 1999 by the European Union to stop its preferential treatment of bananas imported from former colonies forced St Lucia to diversify its agricultural crops. Three years later, tropical storm Lili devastated the island's banana crop in 2002.

Today, the country, which has a population of over 159,000 persons, boasts a thriving tourism industry and has added its popular Jazz Festival, the Pitons and two Nobel laureates, Sir Arthur Lewis (Laureate for Economics in 1979) and Dereck Walcott (Laureate for Literature in 1992) as its claim to fame.

Seven years ago, St Lucia hosted the 19th Heads of Government Conference where then President of South Africa Nelson Mandela, was the honoured guest.

According to a CARICOM release, Sunday's official opening ceremony will include the launching of the inaugural Caribbean Community (CARICOM) 10k Road Race featuring professionals and amateur athletes from across the region, as well as CARICOM nationals residing overseas. There will also be speeches and a cultural presentation. The Heads will convene their first full working day on Monday, tackling a number of crucial agenda items to include the shaping of a new globally competitive economic path for the Regional integration movement.

"As the Community increases its focus on the December 2005 date for the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market (CSM), the Head of Government with lead responsibility for the CSME, Prime Minister of Barbados, Owen Arthur, is slated to update his colleagues on the status of CSM implementation. Among the issues specific to the CSM is that of the establishment of the Regional Development Fund, which is intended to cushion Member States from any fallout from the implementation of the new economic arrangement.

CARICOM Heads of Government are also set to take a hard look at the upsurge in criminal activity across the region, with a view to shaping a new framework for crime and security. In this regard, the conclusions of the Special Meeting of Regional Ministers responsible for Crime and Security and Law Enforcement recently convened in Trinidad and Tobago, will be put to the Conference for review.

In light of the European Union's (EU) sugar reform proposal and its expected negative effects on sugar producers from African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States, the Conference is also geared to craft a regional response to the EU. In addition, Guyana's President Bharrat Jagdeo will lead discussions on the region's agricultural transformation programme earmarked to bring about economic diversification in the region's hard-hit agriculture industry.

Meanwhile, as the Community seeks to promote health as a critical component of economic development in the region, issues related to creating a healthy region would be put to the Heads of Government. To this end, the Conference is expected to deliberate on the recommendations of a report prepared by CARICOM Health Ministers, which highlights the prevalence of obesity, HIV/AIDS and violence and injury across the region.

At the St Lucia meeting, Heads of Government will also be updated on the current situation in Haiti.

In his address at the 16th Inter-sessional Meeting in Paramaribo, Suriname last February, the President of Suriname, Dr Ronaldo Venetiaan said: "To understand and to properly analyze the current crisis in our sister nation and member, the Republic of Haiti, we have to study the history, the suffering and the continued exploitation of the Haitian People since their independence in 1804."

President Venetiaan went on to state that "it is time to stop the struggle and suffering of the Haitian people, a responsibility that rests in the first place with the Haitians themselves. At the same time, we have to find ways to agree on short term and long term support for the Haitian people and their democratically elected institutions."

In a statement issued at the end of the Inter-sessional, CARICOM itself said: "The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) remains gravely concerned by the overall situation in Haiti. Insecurity, volatility and political polarization combine with joblessness as stumbling blocks to progress.

"The Community is particularly disturbed over the deteriorating human rights situation and the continuing violations of the principles laid down in the CARICOM Charter of Civil Society. Allegations of serious abuses at the hands of the police and illegally armed groups must be investigated. The indefinite detention of Lavalas leaders and activists can only be construed as arbitrary detention on the basis of political affiliation. The continuing detention of former Prime Minister Yvon Neptune is a glaring example. These persons must either be charged and brought before the courts or released forthwith. It is difficult to conceive of fair elections while the leaders and activists of a major political party remain in arbitrary detention.

"The proliferation of illegally armed groups and their activities constitute a major obstacle to stability..."

CARICOM is reported to be "very annoyed" with the USA for the way it has handled the situation in Haiti, including their alleged involvement of the ousting of President Jean Bertrand Aristide. To this end, the regional grouping has refused to commit any of its troops to the international force now occupying the troubled French-speaking Caribbean country.

The body has also refused to recognise what some are calling the US illegally imposed interim government of Prime Minister Gerard Latortue, who has been trying to win favour with the regional body.