KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica will assume the chairmanship of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in July, instead of Haiti, the Inter-sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government decided, recently.
In the Chairmanship rotation schedule, Haiti was next in line to chair the Community. But Haiti’s situation following the January 12 earthquake, dictates that it would not be in a position to assume the chairmanship.
Jamaica’s Prime Minister, the Hon Bruce Golding, will therefore take over as Chairman of the Community, after current chairman Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit’s term ends on June 30.
Hon. PM Bruce Golding
His Excellency Rene Preval, President of Haiti, has acknowledged that it would have been difficult to manage the reconstruction of Haiti, as well as CARICOM matters.
Prior to the announcement by the Conference, at the 21st Inter-sessional Meeting held in Dominica, March 11-12, President Preval told representatives of the media that “it would have been an honour” to serve as Chairman of the Community.
“It would be difficult for me to manage Haiti while taking care of CARICOM. It was an honour for me, but really I think you understand if I am doing a job I do it well,” Mr. Preval said.
