Simultaneously, his country needs to find out how it can fight the forces of evil which can undermine the path to prosperity and social justice, he told reporters during a coffee break as full sessions of the Third United Kingdom/Caribbean Forum got under way at Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown.

After the plenary session where the draft agenda was discussed and adopted, Straw, who heads the UK delegation, said that during the morning sessions the UK was able to fully understand the plight of the Caribbean.

That plight was outlined by Guyana's Foreign Minister, Mr. Rudy Insanally in his remarks at the Wednesday evening opening of the forum, when he urged the UK to assist the Caribbean in its quest to protect and promote its interests in the area of trade.

Insanally had appealed for immediate help from the UK in the form of representation at the upcoming meetings of the European Union (EU) and the Group of Eight (G-8), and Straw in reply had assured the Caribbean that this will be done.

Yesterday, the British Secretary of State said that after the initial meeting, his delegation now fully understood how the Caribbean faces a risk of being a victim of its relative success.

That, he said, is because many of the countries in the Caribbean, notwithstanding their small size and the fact that they have problems of their own, are doing better than some countries in the developing world, and their interests are being neglected.

Asked how the UK intended to assist the Caribbean when in fact they are at the same time advancing their own case, he said the interests of the UK are similar to those of the region.

He reminded too that the UK has a presence at forums and organisations where the Caribbean does not, such as the meetings of the EU and G-8.

To this end, that country will establish and maintain effective structures for consultations and collaboration, key among which will be quarterly meetings in London of the Caribbean Heads of Mission with officials of the Foreign Office there, which on occasions will be chaired by Baroness Valarie Amos, he said.

Guyanese-born Baroness Amos, a member of the UK delegation here, has responsibility for relations with the Caribbean, Africa and the Commonwealth in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. She is also Prime Minister Tony Blair's representative on Africa.

Straw said that additionally, there will be continuous correspondence and consultations between Blair's office and Caribbean Heads of Government, along with effective feedback.

Issues of education and culture, security, drugs-related crime and arms trafficking are on the forum agenda for discussion.

Asked how can the UK justify to the rest of the world that it is important for the Caribbean to fight drugs and enhance its human resources, while simultaneously it is recruiting soldiers and other personnel, including teachers from the vital education sector in the Caribbean, Straw said there has always been a flow of people both ways from the Caribbean to the UK, and this is a process that will continue.

He further noted that one of the problems faced in Guyana and across the Caribbean since the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, is a reduction in remittances - an important part of the economic background of support in the Caribbean.

Straw said the issue of recruitment of teachers and nurses from the Caribbean was raised with him before and discussions will take place.

The sessions yesterday began with a working breakfast for the delegates hosted by President Bharrat Jagdeo at his State House, Main Street residence.

Insanally said the breakfast discussions centred on the forum agenda and included how international financing institutions should operate in relation to the Caribbean countries.

On Wednesday evening the forum delegates were guests at a reception hosted by the Guyana Foreign Minister at Le Meridien Pegasus.