Osborne tells Britain that Montserrat is committed to Caricom

Mr. John Osborne
Montserrat Reporter Photo

Wednesday, October 15, 2003

BRADES, Montserrat: Montserrat's Chief Minister, Mr. John Osborne, told top officials in Britain yesterday that the island will remain a full member of Caricom.

Chief Minister Osborne, speaking at a ceremony held at the Police Conference to discuss the island's full involvement in the Caribbean Single Market Economy and the Caribbean Court of Justice, told those gathered that Montserrat was a founding member of the Caribbean Community (Community) and wished to continue this relationship.

He said though that Montserrat is mindful of its constitutional relationship with the United Kingdom and the need to request an entrustment to sign the necessary protocols relating to the Caricom Single Market and Economy and the Caribbean Court of Justice in its original jurisdiction.

Mr. Edwin Carrington, Secretary General of the Guyana- based Caricom Secretariat, said the regional body stands firmly behind Montserrat in its decision to remain as a full member of Caricom and welcomed the meeting to discuss all the issues related to Montserrat's participation in the Single Market and Economy and the Caribbean Court of Justice in its original jurisdiction.

The Caricom Secretary General said any concerns the British government may have about the implications for Montserrat because of the island signing on to the Single Market and the regional court will hopefully be cleared up during the two-day meeting.

"Montserrat is not just a member of Caricom - it has been a builder of Caricom," said the Trinidad-born official.

Governor Anthony Longrigg, the British government's senior representative on the island, said that obviously Her Majesty's Government is concerned about the benefits and costs for Montserrat signing on to the Caricom Single Market and Economy and the Caribbean Court of Justice. He described the issues as " complex" and said there is need to look not only at the short but also the long term issues for Montserrat.

"I hope there will be a clear consensus with appropriate safeguards," said Governor Longrigg, who will end his term of office early next year.

Caricom officials, during the plenary session, made presentations on the Single Market and Economy, Caribbean Court of Justice, Free Movement, External Relations and Functional Cooperation.

Also making presentations on the first day of the two-day meeting were Montserrat's Attorney General, Mr. Esco Henry-Greer and Mr. Mark Hellyer - a consultant looking at the pros and cons of the island's involvement in the CSME and the CCJ.

Montserrat is a colony of Britain. 

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