Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs discusses Bi-Lateral issues with U.S. Secretary Of State
KINGSTON – Efforts to deepen the Jamaica-United States (U.S.) relationship were furthered on Friday, April 13 during discussions with the island’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Anthony Hylton and U.S. Secretary of State, Dr. Condoleeza Rice.
The meeting, which the Minister characterized as “warm and constructive,” covered several matters of political and economic importance and allowed Senator Hylton to acquaint the Secretary with the country’s key foreign policy priorities, particularly since the recent election of Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller.
The Minister also used the opportunity to reaffirm the country’s commitment to deepening its partnership with the United States and to foster and strengthen the spirit of friendship and cooperation that currently underpins relations between the two countries.
Minister Hylton was accompanied by Jamaica’s Ambassador to the U.S. , Professor Gordon Shirley and the Information attaché, O’Neil Hamilton. In addition to Secretary Rice, the U.S. delegation included Ambassador Charles Shapiro, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs and William Bent, Desk Officer for Jamaica and the Bahamas at the Department of State.
Citing Haiti’s instability as a major area of concern for Jamaica, Minister Hylton acknowledged that it was important that the country provide leadership that would help President-designate Rene Preval and the Haitian government to “meet this immediate challenge which also poses a clear and present danger to Jamaica as the issue of refugees, as well as the illegal trade in small arms,” presented significant national security challenges for the country.
Senator Hylton and Secretary Rice expressed optimism that Haiti’s second round of parliamentary elections, which are expected soon, would serve to further bolster the democratic process and contribute to national reconciliation.
The Minister emphasized to Secretary Rice that Jamaica was fully focused on aiding the integration of Haiti into the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and exploring ways to help that country jump-start its development process. “Haiti is an important part of the CSME,” he said, and consequently “every effort must be made to collectively – with our CARICOM partners and also with the help of the U.S. and other hemispheric partners – enable Haiti to reap the benefits of economic integration, which will go a long way in ensuring that country’s eventual stability and progress.”
The Minister also stressed to Dr. Rice that Jamaica’s engagement with countries within the hemisphere was driven by and predicated, not only on its own core democratic values and commitment to human rights, but simultaneously aimed to ensure that “the interest of the Jamaican people remain paramount. Our pursuit of energy-security, increased trade and the expansion of our commercial ties are fundamentally guided and driven by these principles,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Secretary Rice described the island as “an honorable democracy” and underscored the historically warm relationship, which has framed the interaction between both states. Dr. Rice commended Minister Hylton for the country’s “renewed engagement” with Haiti and stressed that Jamaica’s leadership was critical to Haiti’s reintegration into CARICOM, as well as the successful forging of a partnership, on the ground in Haiti in concert with CARICOM, that would foster social stability and aid economic progress in that country.
The U.S. Secretary concluded her discussions with Ambassador Hylton by reiterating President Bush’s support for Jamaica’s new Prime Minister and expressed the President’s desire to meet with Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller in the near future. She also accepted the Minister’s invitation to visit Jamaica at an appropriate interval.
Subsequent to his meeting with the U.S. Secretary of State, Minister Hylton held discussions with the leadership of the Inter-American Dialogue, a prominent Washington think-tank focusing on Caribbean and Latin American issues.
Ambassador Hylton’s meeting with Dr. Rice also represented his second interaction this week with a member of President Bush’s Cabinet. The Minister, along with other CARICOM Trade Ministers, also held discussions on Wednesday (April 12) with the United Trade Representative, Ambassador Robert Portman.
