Prime Minister Patterson is Committed To Caribbean Unity

JULY 27, 2009

P.J PATTERSON'S COMMITMENT TO CARIBBEAN REGIONALISM - UNQUESTIONABLE...SAYS PM GOLDING.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding says Former Prime Minister P.J Patterson's commitment to Caribbean regionalism is unquestionable.

 ‘No one can question the contribution he has made to Caribbean development. No one can question the quality of leadership he has offered to the Caribbean Community. No one can question the    respect he commands, the prestige he enjoys not only throughout the wider Caribbean but indeed as a Caribbean man in any council of the world. He's a remarkable individual'.

 Mr. Golding was paying tribute to Mr. Patterson at a reception in celebration of the conferment of the Order of the Caribbean Community- at the Pegasus hotel this evening. The award is conferred on nationals of Member States of the Caribbean Community who have a record of outstanding service and contributions to the political, social and cultural development of the Region.

Mr. Golding said the contribution Mr. Patterson has made and the leadership he has offered is well deserved. ‘The award was made with unanimity. Through the many years in which he has been engaged he has played an important role in defining the principles and goals of the Caricom movement.  He was involved in the shaping of the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas and he has been at the helm of so much of what has happened in Caricom through the transition from the cold war to globalization and the significant impact that this has had on the Caribbean. He remains passionately committed to the dreams and ideals of Caribbean integration', Mr. Golding said.

In his reply, Mr. Patterson expressed his sincere appreciation for the award and the accolades extended to him from the Caribbean.  

He disclosed that the European Union recently named a hall jointly in his name and that of Sir Shridath Ramphal for the work they did in the negotiations for the first Lome Convention. The former Prime Minister noted that it was not only Europe which has recognized the nature of that contribution but the Caribbean on whose behalf it was named.

 He said Jamaica's future advance cannot depend solely on our own efforts as an island state but that we have to work together with the countries around us in overcoming the years of neglect; our history as a people, our separation by imperial powers and now our capacity to come together on our own as sovereign nations.  He noted the increasing convergence of views on the need and the value of widening and deepening the process of regional integration as we seek to combat the global forces in which we could be totally devastated were we not to form a common bond.

 ‘While the leaders and the political directorate are trustees for the regional integration movement it is something that must involve the people and we must find a way to make Caricom matter to the people, to the business community and to our workers'.  

Mr. Patterson took time out to pay tribute to Lady Bustamante who passed on Saturday. The Opposition Leader, Portia Simpson also paid tribute to Mr. Patterson on receiving the OCC award.