CARICOM to discuss continued use of Guyana dialogue facilitator
by Nivedta Kowlessar
CARIBBEAN Community (CARICOM) leaders, meeting in St Kitts and Nevis next week, are to consider the continued use of a facilitator in the political dialogue between the two major parties here. CARICOM Secretary General, Mr Edwin Carrington told reporters this week the matter will be discussed at the inter-sessional meeting of heads of government on Monday and Tuesday. He said it was last addressed in October and because a decision on whether to continue has taken some time, it will be better to have it discussed by the full meeting of the heads than to "rush at this last minute." Former Attorney General and Foreign Minister of Barbados, Mr Maurice King was appointed by CARICOM to mediate dialogue between the governing People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/Civic) and the main opposition People's National Congress (PNC) in September, 1998. King, who ended a second stint here last December, has not indicated whether he is willing to return or not. Assistant CARICOM Secretary General, Dr Carla Barnett who shared a press conference with Carrington here this week, said King has "not said he is not available", but the matter has to be discussed with him with regard to timing because he has other obligations. She noted that both the PPP/Civic and the PNC have indicated they have no objection to the continuing role of a CARICOM facilitator. Carrington told journalists he shares concerns and feels "slightly saddened" that the dialogue has not been "particularly fruitful", noting only the parties concerned can make it work. "Many may take a horse to water, but plenty cannot make it drink. All CARICOM can do is facilitate the process. "The onus rests on the principal partners in that dialogue to turn it around," he pointed out. The political dialogue between the two parties was envisaged in two accords they signed amid rising tensions and violence from PNC street demonstrations in Georgetown after the 1997 general elections. The Herdmanston Accord and the St Lucia Accord were signed in January and July, 1998, respectively, and St Lucia Prime Minister, Dr Kenny Anthony was assigned by CARICOM to oversee implementation of the deals. In St Kitts and Nevis, CARICOM leaders will also discuss the setting up of the Caribbean Court of Justice which would replace the British Privy Council as the region's final court of appeal. Carrington said they will consider the implication of a recent decision by Jamaica to put off signing an agreement for the court. The island is seeking a national consensus in face of divided political sentiment on its establishment. Carrington also noted concerns have been raised about the financing and therefore, independence, of such a court which will have jurisdiction in trade disputes arising from the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME). The CSME, to be formed by CARICOM this year, is another matter on the tight agenda for the inter-sessional meeting. Other issues are the allocation of portfolios among leaders, setting of priorities for 2000, wider consultation with civil society, greater cooperation with opposition leaders on integration, and the situation in Haiti which is preparing for general elections.
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