Caribbean Court of Justice pact signed St Vincent abstains by Albert Brandford, the Barbados Nation Stabroek News February 15, 2001 Euphoria over the formal signing of the framework agreement to launch the Caribbean Court of Justice yesterday at the Sherbourne Conference Centre was dampened by the surprise abstention of St Vincent among the 13 CARICOM member states. Recently appointed Prime Minister Arnhim Eustace told the Daily Nation at the end of the opening ceremony of the 12th inter-sessional CARICOM meeting that though his ruling New Democratic Party (NDP) had no problem with the court he felt it would be "inappropriate" to sign with general elections less than six weeks way. "I don't think it is appropriate now that we are in elections [mode] that I should do that," said Eustace, who, along with Dominica's Prime Minister Charles Pierre, was attending his first CARICOM meeting. "We are going through an elections period and a new government will be in place some time by the end of March, and I don't think it is appropriate that I should sign." Eustace's opponent, Opposition leader Dr Ralph Gonsalves said here on Tuesday that his Unity Labour Party--which two opinion polls predict would win elections due by March 31--opposed the court "at this time" and would urge a "no" vote in the constitutionally required referendum. Jamaicašs Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, who among the Heads of Government goes back furthest in the integration process, has himself been under pressure to call a referendum by Opposition leader Edward Seaga, who said a new Jamaica Labour Party government would otherwise withdraw from the court. CARICOM Chairman, Barbados' Prime Minister Owen Arthur saluted the "political courage" of his colleagues who signed in the face of "stern and somewhat implacable opposition in their domestic jurisdictions... . "I respect and applaud their courage," Arthur told the opening ceremony, carried live on radio and television before a gathering that included Governor General Sir Clifford and Lady Husbands, "because they will sign the Agreement not because it is politically popular, but because, deep in their hearts they know that it is the right thing to do." Arthur said he respected the reservations and dissent of Caribbean people and Bar Associations and would accommodate their concerns, "but let us not now at this juncture of Caribbean development overwhelm ourselves with a sense of doubt and a fear of failure." Follow the goings-on in Guyana in Guyana Today If you do not see the 'Guyana: Land of Six Peoples' drop-down menu on the left then please click here to enter through the front door which will give you additional options and information.