The Community's Foreign Ministers' statement came at their sixth two-day meeting which concluded Friday evening in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Issues discussed among a wide-range of relations between the 15-member Community and countries in the hemisphere, included the recent controversial executions by the Cuban government of three hijackers, and the imprisonment of 75 dissidents, some for as long as 28 years.

The Foreign Ministers pointed to CARICOM's tradition of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the rule of law in expressing their "concern" at the conduct of trials by Cuba in March and April this year that resulted in the executions of three hijackers of a ferryboat and the jailing of the dissidents.

At the same time, they said it was relevant to recall that Cuba "had been and continues to be subjected to hijackings and terrorist activities organised by external groups hostile to the Cuban government".

The Foreign Ministers said that "while not disputing the right of governments to respond to threats against the state, or to the criminal act of hijacking," they were "deeply disturbed at the severity of the sentences imposed".

Having discussed their views with a `Special Ministerial Envoy’ of Cuba during the meeting that also addressed the strengthening of CARICOM-Cuba relations, the Foreign Ministers appealed to the Cuban government to show "clemency" towards those recently imprisoned.

In what observers view as a "careful balancing" of positions, the Community's Foreign Ministers also rejected as an inappropriate initiative, a proposed resolution introduced last month at the Organisation of American States by Nicaragua and co-sponsored by the USA and Costa Rica, calling for support for "democratic freedoms in Cuba".

They argued that the OAS could not be an "appropriate forum" for debate or judgement on this particular issue since the government of Cuba "is deprived (by virtue of its expulsion 40 years ago) to present its position in accordance with natural justice..."

The Foreign Ministers said they were convinced that in accordance with the "fundamental principles" which guide the foreign policy of the Caribbean Community, they believe that "engaging Cuba and pursuing dialogue with its government at the highest level are in the best interest of the Cuban people".