Ross Sheil, Staff Reporter
( L - R ) BERNAL and SIMPSON MILLER
A BEAMING Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller yesterday expressed satisfaction as she left her first discussions with Caribbean Community (CARICOM) heads of government in St. Kitts and Nevis, which she indicated could lead to bilateral trade agreements with the United States and Canada.
On the first day of the 27th meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government, Prime Minister Simpson Miller chaired the meeting on external trade in continuance of Jamaica's portfolio responsibility for CARICOM external affairs.
Bilateral agreements are being considered as alternatives to the stalled Free Trade Area of the Americas pact since Central and South America have already signed trade agreements. In addition, Chile and the U.S. have signed a free trade agreement and there is the North America Free Trade Area pact between the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
In the case of CARICOM, such a bilateral agreement with the U.S. will replace the existing Caribbean Basin Initiative which expires in 2008.
Explaining the lengthy meeting, which went an hour over time, Mrs. Simpson Miller told reporters: "I am expecting that we will get some action. We have been talking a lot but I am sure that ... we are all serious and determined to take the issues forward and we will be getting some decisions from our colleague heads later."
The Prime Minister urged patience over the process, with recommendations from the meeting yesterday to go for further deliberation among trade ministers.
Taking a break from the meeting, Dr. Richard Bernal, director general of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery, responded to fears over whether negotiations with the U.S. would be prejudiced over that country's opposition to Venezuela's bid to gain a two-year seat on the United Nations Security Council. The Gleaner understands CARICOM heads of government will discuss this week whether to deliver their vote en bloc for Venezuela ahead of the October selection.
"At this time we don't see why the relationship with Venezuela in terms of PetroCaribe and a U.N. Security Council seat should in any way interfere with pursuing, if we so decide, a trade agreement with the United States," said Dr. Bernal.
He said PetroCaribe remained a separate issue to be discussed by energy ministers.
