CARIBBEAN TODAY REGION LWW-crbbatoa.co CARICOM leaders agree on key economic issues KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, CMC Caribbean community (CARICOM) heads of govern- ment have agreed to fully imple- ment the single economy com- ponent of the regional integra- tion movement on a phased basis by 2015 and allow for the full free movement of the com- munity's nationals by 2009. Chairman, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Patrick Manning and Barbados Prime Minister Owen Arthur said these were some of the major decisions coming out of an "extremely productive" 18th Inter-Sessional CARICOM Heads of Government conference which concluded here last month. "It was a very positive three market the second component of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) - would be on target for the 2008 schedule, it was agreed to accept days of work done in a very joy- ous, warm spirit without ran- cour, with camaraderie and with love," Gonsalves said at the closing press conference. PHASING IN Arthur said while the framework for the single the recommendation of a report on the CSME which suggested the phased implementation of the schedule. "Do not expect to see the single economy coming in one fell swoop, we have sequenced the activity in two phases, that which will take place between 2008 and 2009 and then from 2010 up to 2015," said Arthur, who has lead prime ministerial responsibility for the CSME. He said while *i inpl. i ' components would be approached in the earlier peri- od, more complex issues such as harmonization of fiscal and monetary policy and eventually a single currency would be in the last period. Manning, the prime minister with lead responsibility for secu- rity issues, also announced that effective Feb. 16, CARICOM nationals traveling throughout the Single Domestic Space would not need to use passports. He, however, suggested that peo- ple still traveled with their pass- ports as there would be random security checks. 0 PM. marks Independence by urging St. Lucians to rise to global challenges CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC - Prime Minister Sir John Compton has said that while St. Lucia achieved a lot in 28 years of Independence, he is not happy with life in the country. In a national address to mark Independence Day, Feb. 22, Sir John lamented that there was great reason to be concerned about crime, securi- ty of person and property and general attitudes in the country. "It is said of us that it is much easier to accumulate wealth that to acquire good manners, as it is in our stan- dard of behavior and personal consideration for others that we have fallen sort. We have not necessarily prepared our- selves to get ahead but always to push to get in front," Sir John said. CAUTION He cautioned against allowing the saying to become a fact "that the children of St. Lucia have gone forth into the wilderness of materialism, where nothing is consecrated, nothing is ordained." Sir John, who was addressing the nation on the occasion of the anniversary of Independence for the first time in 10 years, also regretted the fact that St. Lucia was not pre- pared for the Caribbean com- munity (CARICOM) Single Market and Economy. Additionally, the prime minister said the education system was in shambles and the Universal Secondary Education "so hurriedly rushed into operation without preparation, would be a disas- ter if left in its current form." He said that the free movement of skilled persons had already been agreed to by all CARICOM governments, but there was no certification process in St. Lucia. CHALLENGE The prime minister said that the challenge now was to educate, train and improve the nation's work force and repeated his intention to investigate what he said was millions of dollars in cost overruns under the previous administration. "If we fail to inquire into these matters, this new gov- ernment would be accom- plices and would be just as guilty for not exposing, con- doning the shortcoming and the conduct of government affairs," he said. Compton Sir John said that despite the many challenges facing the country, there were also opportunities available, adding that the nation must be prepared to take advantage of these opportunities. With the Independence theme "Rising to the Global C'hiIlg '1", Sir John urged his countrymen to prepare lthL m%,1 ; through education and skills training for the local and regional job markets, adding that the country's exports must be of the quality to meet global competition. Activities for the obser- vance of Independence included a national parade, competitions among schools in various educational, sport- ing and cultural events, and a major national concert. Marc 25th 2007 SDONpIW IuM TICKETS ON SALE NOW! AT DOLPHIN STADIUM AND ALL TICKETMASTER LOCATIONS. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: 305.622.8043 JAZZINTHEGARDENS.COM -ink CARICOM re-appoints Carrington, Bernal KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, CMC Trinidadian Edwin Carrington has been re- appointed secretary general of the Caribbean community (CARICOM) for another term, according to the official communique issued at the end of the 18th Inter-Sessional summit here last month. Carrington, the former secretary general of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group, was first appointed to the post in 1992. He is the fifth CARICOM secretary general and heads the Guyana-based secretariat. His new five-year term will begin Aug. 1. The regional leaders also agreed to re-appoint Jamaican-born Ambassador Richard Bernal as director- general of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (CRNM) for a further two-year term. The CRNM coordinates the region's negotiations at inter- national forums. 0 March 2007