CUBAN PRESIDENT, Fidel Castro, and South African President, Thabo Mbeki, are on the list of international figures invited to attend the 24th Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government meeting, set for July 2-5 in Montego Bay.
The Gleaner was unable to confirm, up to last night, whether President Castro will take up the invitation. However, senior Government sources said attempts are being made to get the controversial leader to grace the four-day summit with his presence.
At the same time, Secretary-General of CARICOM, Dr. Edwin Carrington, disclosed at a media clinic held at Jamaica House yesterday, that the South African President is likely to be at the meeting.
Also expected to attend the summit is Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Don McKinnon, and Secretary-General of the Association of American States, Cesar Gaviria.
Dr. Carrington told journalists that one of the most crucial issues for the Montego Bay summit is the parlous state of the regional economy, which is still fighting to recover from the effects of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.
Against the background of a decline in preferential trading arrangements with Europe and the possibility of further external shocks, Dr. Carrington said survival of the regional economy will require the co-operation of the entire region.
"It is not a task for Government alone but for the entire society," he said.
The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME), air travel and crime and violence are also expected to be big ticket items on the packed agenda.
Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, who is the incoming CARICOM chairman, told journalists that during his tenure, he would be concentrating on solidifying important institutions such as the CCJ and the CSME.
He explained that Jamaica's ratification of the CCJ agreement, will allow for the acceleration of the preparatory work to get the court up and running. He suggested that it would not be long before the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission is constituted. The 11-member Commission, will be responsible for appointing judges to the court.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, emphasised the importance of the CSME in the economic development of the region.
