PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti – Haiti’s ability to assume chairmanship of CARICOM is now uncertain following the devastating January 12 earthquake, which has left the country in a chaotic state.
President of Haiti, Rene Preval, was slated to assume the chairmanship when the term by Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerritt, comes to an end on June 30.
However, during a press conference Friday (Jan. 22), which was hosted by the CARICOM Secretariat and linked by satellite to journalists in several member states, Secretary-General of CARICOM, Dr. Edwin Carrington, stated that the matter would be reviewed.
“All I can say at this stage is that the matter will be looked at, is being looked at, as to whether Haiti will want to, (or) would be able to, and if not, who will replace them. It’s a matter, which has not been missed and which is pretty close to conclusion,” Dr. Carrington informed.
He noted that consultations would have to be held with all the CARICOM Heads of Government before a decision can be reached on the matter.
Any decision regarding Haiti’s chairmanship will also affect the Bureau of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, which comprises the current Chairman; the outgoing and incoming Chairmen; and the Secretary-General.
