Spencer is new Caricom chairman

MERE DAYS after being elected Antigua/Barbuda’s Prime Minister, Baldwin Spencer replaced Jamaican PM PJ Patterson as Caricom chairman and has been given the crucial task of spearheading the regional body’s efforts to restore peace and stability to Haiti. Last Wednesday, Spencer’s United Progressive Party routed former PM Lester Bird’s Antigua Labour Party 12-5 in that country’s general elections. In a statement issued on the conclusion of Caricom’s 15th Inter-Sessional Heads of Government in St Kitts/Nevis on Friday, the Heads of Government decided to “reconstitute the Core Group of Caricom Prime Ministers on Haiti under the leadership of the new chairman of Caricom, the PM of Antigua/Barbuda, the Hon Baldwin Spencer.”

The Caricom leaders also agreed: “To designate a special envoy adjunct to the Core Group to advance Caricom’s interests on issues related to Haiti; to facilitate the interface of the Caribbean Community with the international community and to coordinate the Community’s relationship with the UN, the OAS and other partners on the issue of Haiti; and accept the proposals of the Caricom Secretary-General concerning the establishment of a Task Force to coordinate Caricom’s assistance to Haiti in those areas where it has the capacity. The Special Envoy will work closely with the Caricom Task Force.” The Caricom leaders stressed “the critical importance of transparency and the fullest engagement in free, fair and open dialogue and communication in the interface between the Community’s partners in the international community and itself in order to avoid misunderstandings and misperceptions”.

Caricom reiterated its call for the UN to investigate the circumstances under which Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide left Haiti and expressed its thanks to the African Union and African, Caribbean and Pacific Committee of Ambassadors for supporting them. Caricom leaders appealed to the international community to provide support and assistance for “humanitarian relief, Haiti’s development and the rehabilitation of its institutions.” Caricom leaders supported Patterson’s decision to allow Aristide to stay in Jamaica temporarily and said while it does not recognise the interim Haitian government of Prime Minister Gerard Latortue, “Haiti remains a member of the Caribbean Community and indeed a welcome partner in the regional integration movement.”