Caricom heads to meet Bush this morning

Guyana's President Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo will be among 
the leaders meeting with the U.S. President

Wednesday, September 24, 2003

NEW YORK, New York: Five Caricom leaders will meet with President George W. Bush this morning at a breakfast meeting that will reportedly focus on security and social concerns for the region.

The five include Guyana's President Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo and Prime Ministers Perry Christie of The Bahamas, Dr Keith Mitchell of Grenada and Dr Kenny Anthony of Saint Lucia. 

Noticeably absent will be Jamaican Prime Minister Mr. P.J. Patterson, the current Chairman of Caricom, who reportedly declined the invitation citing other engagements.

The regional leaders who were not asked to the meeting are Prime Ministers Messrs Owen Arthur of Barbados and Patrick Manning of Trinidad and Tobago and the heads of state of Antigua and Barbuda, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, and Belize. 

Both Trinidad and Barbados have indicated their full support for the International Criminal Court and declined to answer a U.S. deadline for them to support an exemption for U.S. citizens appearing before the court. U.S. military aid was cut in July from both countries.

The leaders attending this morning's breakfast have indicated they will sign agreements exempting U.S. servicemen from prosecution under the ICC. 

Guyana's President Jagdeo has said he will support the U.S. request and according to the Stabroek News, will raise the issues of deportees and the HIV/AIDS scourge at the meeting.

Grenada's PM Mitchell, according to a government statement, plans to also discuss the issue of deportees as well as illegal drugs, the Regional Security System and support for the Royal Grenada Police Force.

He will also try to persuade Mr. Bush to have the Caribbean established as a 'Centre of Excellence for Connectivity,' through a Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network.

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