Arthur was one of several speakers at yesterday’s opening ceremony for the 24th Meeting of the CARICOM Conference of Heads of Governments in Montego Bay, Jamaica amid the customary pomp and ceremony and with much emphasis on the space the CSME would afford Caribbean citizens.

At the opening ceremony, which was interspersed with a number of cultural items, Bermuda was accepted as an observer member of CARICOM.

Among the speakers was the current Chairman of CARICOM Prime Minister PJ Patterson who welcomed delegates to Jamaica. Among the special invitees were the President of South Africa Thabo Mbeki and the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Don McKinnon.

To the Guyanese audience, transmission of the two-hour-long ceremony held at the Carlton Ritz in Montego Bay was severely interrupted with just two of the main speakers, the Barbadian Prime Minister and the Prime Minister of Belize, Said Musa being heard on GTV Channel 11 and the GBC’s Voice of Guyana.

In his speech Arthur said that it was important that Caribbean people understand that the economic problems the region face have not been caused by the Caribbean market and single economy but because of its absence.

He said that the Caribbean economy belongs to the future and not to the past; to the young Caribbean entrepreneur who will live in the region which after centuries of denial will allow him to establish his enterprise wherever he wishes to in this region; to the ordinary working man and working woman of the agricultural, industrial and tourism sectors who have long yearned to cooperate with each other and to use the region’s resources and develop industries that will afford them the prospect of sustainable livelihoods.

His remark that the CSME belongs to the Barbadian fisherman who believes he is entitled catch what he regards as Barbados flying fish that have ventured into Trinidad and Tobago waters sparked mirth. The two countries are currently at odds over a proposed fisheries agreement and there have been sharp exchanges between Bridgetown and Port-of-Spain on the matter.

The CSME, he said belongs to every Caribbean patriot who believes that they should extend equal terms on equal measure to each other and should accord each other economic terms and conditions that are no less favourable than those granted to others outside the region; and it belongs to the Guyanese artisan who looks to showcase his tremendous talent to the entire Caribbean people and in so doing be treated with respect as is accorded a similar legitimate transnational in CARICOM.

He said, too, that the CSME belongs to the Jamaican people who wish to make a living through hassle free travel; to the sports people; artists and media people and all others whose very existence depend on having at their disposal a common economic space in which to ply their trade.

The CSME, he said belongs to all who accept that by allowing broader and deeper integration they can successfully integrate into the global economy on terms and conditions set by the region.

He noted that creation of the CSME will require over the next two years amendments to over 400 pieces of legislation. It will not work effectively, however, until there is an independent financing of the region’s institutions.

Musa stressed the need for regional food security and social cohesion and cooperation among institutions. One such institution, he noted was the Caribbean Court of Justice which he said his government was committed to making Belize’s final appellate court.

He added that the time has come to create a Caribbean Commission in keeping with the recommendations of the West Indian commission in an effort to implement tasks set for it by the heads and other organs of the community.

Apart from the community celebrating its 30th anniversary, he noted that the Caribbean Examinations Council, a signal achievement for the region was also celebrating 30 years.

The agenda for the meeting which ends on Saturday will focus on the programme towards the implementation of CSME, in particular, the free movement of persons and the legal framework for the operation of the CSME i.e. the Caribbean Court of Justice.

The heads are also to receive progress reports on steps towards reviving the regional economy including assistance to Dominica, the establishment of the regional stabilization fund, the Regional Economic Transformation Programme and the Trinidad and Tobago/CARICOM Support Programme which has been estimated at around US$16M.

Crime and security are also on the agenda. Yesterday, heads met with US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick and are today scheduled to have discussions with Director General of the World Trade Organisation Dr Supachai Panitchpakdi. The timing of CARICOM’s accession to the Free Trade Areas of the Americas and special and differential treatment for small states in upcoming trade talks are expected to be focused upon.

Another key issue for deliberations is US pressure on CARICOM for agreements to be signed with it granting immunity to US servicemen from prosecution.

The US initiative is meant to sidestep the authority of the International Criminal Court (ICC). CARICOM members are signatories to the treaty setting up the ICC and several were on Tuesday blacklisted by the US because they had not signed immunity agreements with it.