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U.S.A. MEXICO HONDURAS
PRIME MINISTER,
RT. HON. P.J. PATTERSON
VISITS U.S.A., MEXICO AND HONDURAS
AUGUST 31- SEPTEMBER 4, 1993.
UWI LIBRARIES
U.S.A. MEXICO HONDURAS .
PRIME MINISTER,
RT. HON. P.J. PATTERSON
VISITS U.S.A., MEXICO AND HONDURAS
AUGUST 31 -SEPTEMBER 4, 1993.
UWI LIBRARIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Transcript of Press Conference - President Bill Clinton
V /f V-fj ~ o../ 1 .3 and Caribbean Leaders
State Dinner Address - Mexico
~ ep+ Z_/ eq .3
Joint Comm ique ""?:,~~xico and Jamaica "'t~I ~f- ;z_
3
17
.•.... 25
~ Address at Awards Ceremony - President's Office, Honduras • . . ... 35
~+ a...) 1~
o Joint Communique - Honduras and Jamaica 43
~~o'- - ¥- ,13 .
U.S.A., Mexico and Honduras
UWI LIBRARIES
TRANSCRIPT OF
PRESS CONFERENCE WITH
PRESIDENT Bl LL CLINTON
AND
CARIBBEAN LEADERS
CHEDDI JAGAN, GUYANA;
ERKSKINE SANDIFORD, BARBADOS;
PATRICK MANNING, TRINIDAD AND
TOBAGO;
P.J. PATTERSON, JAMAICA;
HUBERT INGRAHAM, BAHAMAS
AT THE
EAST ROOM, WHITE HOUSE
MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 1993
U.S.A., Mexico and Honduras 3
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President Clinton: Good afternoon. Today I had the great
honour of welcoming five outstanding
leaders from the English-speaking
Caribbean to the White House: President
Cheddi Jagan of Guyana, Prime Minister
Erskine Sandiford of Barbados,
U.S.A., Mexico and Honduras
·Prime Minister P. J. Patterson of Jamaica,
and Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham of the
Bahamas. I'm impressed by the
intelligence, the dynamism, and the
dedication of the Caribbean leadership.
The end of the Cold War has altered the
nature but not the depth of our interest in
the Caribbean. Our concern for the region
is firmly rooted in geographic proximity,
the resultant flows of people, commodities
and culture, and in our shared interest in
fighting drug trafficking, protecting our
economic interests and in protecting
fragile ecosystems.
As with US-Mexican relations,
US Caribbean relations dramatically
demonstrate the absolute inseparability of
foreign and domestic issues. More than
ever before, our nation is a Caribbean
nation.
In our discussions we recognized the
concerns that NAFTA may adversely affect
the Caribbean and Central American
nations by diverting trade and investment
5
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6
flows to Mexico. Therefore, I want to
announce today that I have asked
Ambassador Mickey Kantor to study the
impact of NAFTA on the small economies
and to consult with them on new measures
to increase regional trade. American
workers have a direct interest in the
prosperity of the English-speaking
Caribbean. The $2 billion in United States
exports to those countries creates at least
40,000 American jobs. Our warm and
productive luncheon meeting covered
many other areas as well.
These nations are all vibrant democracies
striving to adapt their economies to new
global realities while maintaining a full
respect for individual freedoms and
human rights. In the Organization of
American States and in the United Nations
they consistently take strong stands in
favour of the collective defence of
democracy. They have all been firm
supporters of multilateral efforts to restore
President Aristide in Haiti and we
discussed cooperative security and
economic measures to assist Haitian
democracies. I thank them for their
support of the restoration of President
Aristide, and of course, we all enjoyed
recounting President Aristide's swearing
in of his new prime minister today.
Prime Minister Rt. Hon. P.J. Patterson visits
President Jagan:
U.S.A., Mexico and Honduras
The Caribbean community will be an
important building block of a hemispheric
community of democracies linked by
growing economic ties and common
political beliefs. That will happen, I
believe, in no small measure
because of the leadership of the five people
who are here with us today, and I'd like
now to ask them each in turn to come to the
microphone and say a few remarks. I think
President Jagan is going first. He was here
first in 1961, is that right?
The microphone is yours, sir.
Thank you, Mr. President. As you just
pointed out, I was here in 1961.
Those were difficult, different times. I'm
happy to be here now with my colleagues
jointly at this invitation of the president,
and to say that we definitely have
problems, you in the United States and we
in the Caribbean. Your problems are big,
ours are critical. And I think it will be
necessary for us to work closely together to
solve these problems because one time the
Caribbean was described as the third
border of the United States and some have
said it's the Achilles heel. I believe
10 years ago the Caribbean was described
as one of the world circles of crisis.
We have deteriorated somewhat, our
economies are in trouble, but neverthe­less,
we are optimistic that if we work
7
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Prime Minister
Sandiford:
8
together with the United State in a spirit of
genuine partnership and interdependence,
we can together resolve these problems.
We have to because increasingly we see
developments'taking place around the
world in megablocs, and we in this
hemisphere have to chart out our own
destiny and work together in order to
alleviate the problems of our people -
there are many - and to bring about
economic progress and human
d eve I opment.
Thank you.
We in Barbados and the rest of the
Caribbean believe that we in this region
have great opportunities to deal with the
problems facing our region. We see these
problems as relating to the achievement of
greater levels of growth, providing more
jobs for our people, keeping inflation low,
and also dealing with the issues of
competitiveness and productivity in our
economies.
Within this framework, we believe that the
United States, the Caribbean, and all of the
countries of our region have an
opportunity to work through a new
conceptualization of our region based on
what I am calling a twin continent
concept, involving the countries of North
America, the countries by South America,
linked on the one side by the countries of
Prime Minister Rt. Hon. P.J. Patterson visits
Prime Minister
Manning:
U.S.A., Mexico and Honduras
Central America and on the other side by
that string of lovely tropical islands called
the Caribbean, of which Barbados~
forgive me, is the most beautiful, and then
there are all the countries that are in
between.
This opportunity of discussing with the
president and his high-level delegation the
issues involved in how we can do this, I
think, is a most welcome one. We
believe that we can do it on a sustainable
basis, sustainable in the sense that we have
to provide an acceptable standard of
living for our people, taking into account
that those who are disadvantaged or
deprived are not left to waste away, and
taking into account also that we have to
make provision for our children and our
children's children so that they too, can
live in an environment that can enable
them to achieve an adequate standard of
living. We believe that we must now sit
down and work as partners in order to
achieve these objectives. That is what
we have been discussing and that is what
we will be working for.
Thank you very much, ladies and
gentlemen. We were very pleased today
to have a chance to talk with the
US President and a team of his close
advisers.
9
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10
The CARICOM countries are situated on
the doorstep of the United States of
America, and it will be a great error to
conclude that now that communism has l
come virtually to an end, that the
CARICOM countries and the Caribbean
territories on the whole are no longer of
significance to the United States of America.
That would be a great mistake indeed.
All of those countries are going through
structural adjustment and in that context,
we are all experiencing relatively high -
level relative in absolute terms - high
levels of unemployment. It will be a great
tragedy if in seeking to pursue sustainable
development of our countries, it takes
place at such a rate that the domestic
populations begin to see as one of the
options available to them, a greater
involvement in drug and drug-related
activities. That's an option, ladies and
gentlemen, that we are trying our best to
avoid.
Already there's a drug problem in the
Caribbean and many of our countries have
been transshipment points for the transfer
of cocaine from South America to the
United States and Canada and to the North.
And so there is an urgency in the way we
deal with development. There is an
urgency in the strategies that we p~rsue,
urgency in identifying these strategies and
Prime Minister Rt. Hon. P.J. Patterson visits
Prime Minister
Patterson:
U.S.A., Mexico and Honduras
pursuing them as expeditiously as possible
to ensure that we satisfy the aspirations of
our populations. That is a point that was
discussed at length today.
In particular, we discussed with the
president and his advisers this whole
question of access to aid in the transition
period as our economies go from one state
to the next, and in particular, the use of per
capita income as an indicator, and
actually an indicator for accessing
concessional ways of funding and of
assistance. Really, the populations of
countries don't see per capita income.
What they see is the change in per capita
income.
So no matter where you are, as long as
there is a significant change downwards in
the per capita income of any country, then
it results in social problems in that
particular country. That is a point of view
that we advocated today as, perhaps, an
alternative for mechanisms for giving aid
to countries and for allowing countries to
access concessional funding. I think that
the point was taken and our discussions
were, in fact, very pleasant and, I believe,
very fru itfu I.
Thank you.
When I heard the Prime Minister of
Barbados asserting the claims of his
country, I thought of making a simple
11
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12
rejoinder and then reflected that it ran the
risk of being misunderstood here. I had
intended to say "good wine needs no bush."
May I, Mr. President, thank you on behalf
of the Government and people of Jamaica,
and indeed, on behalf of all the
governments and people of the CARI COM
member countries for having invited us to
participate in a timely discussion with you
as your administration seeks to chart a
relevant Caribbean policy in the context
of the developments in the world and the
hemisphere to which we belong.
I think out of our discussions has emerged
a recognition of the need to take that
further step in forging a closer and more
effective working partnership.
As has been mentioned, the United States,
Canada, and Mexico are on the verge of
completing the signatories for the NAFTA
agreement. For us in the Caribbean, we
note that the whole world is moving
towards larger and larger trading blocs,
and we envisage a time when eventually
there is going to be free trade that extends
throughout the hemisphere to which we
belong.
We in the Caribbean, particularly
CARICOM, have already started to
prepare for that process, but we recognize
that there is going to be the need
for special transitional arrangements,
Prime Minister Rt. Hon. P.J. Patterson visits
Prime Minister
Ingraham:
U.S.A., Mexico and Honduras
taking into account certain products and
exports which are very sensitive to us and
certain areas of industrial activity that are
so important to ensuring that employment
levels are maintained; indeed that
unemployment is reduced so that social
stability is maintained in all our respective
countries.
To these objectives-the strengthening of
democracy, the enhancement of social
mobility and economic progress in our
region-all of us are firmly committed. We
are very happy that we have agreed to
work in a collaborative exercise to make
the dreams of all of us as proud,
independent people in this hemisphere, a
reality in our times.
Mr. President, colleagues, ladies and
gentlemen. We are delighted to have the
opportunity to be in Washington, DC, at
the White House and to have been so
warmly welcomed by President Clinton
and his administration. In my capacity as
Chairman of CARICOM and as Prime
Minister of the Bahariias, let me say
thank you very much for the opportunity to
exchange views, which we found most
usefu I.
We had the opportunity to talk about the
further steps which we may have to take as
a group of nations to strengthen
democracy in our region and to ensure
13
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14
that there is greater accountability to our
citizens and transparency in the
governance of our respective countries.
We were able to share views on Haiti and
the progress which is being made in
relation to the restoration of democracy to
that country, and to express our
appreciation to the United States of America
for the work which it is doing in that
regard.
We were also able to discuss our desire to
do all we can to assist in helping to create
an atmosphere in this region where all
countries in the region, including Cuba,
will be democratic countries in the not­too-
distant future.
We were able to put before the
administration of the United States the items
of highest priority for the Caribbean region
and they are the inclusion in NAFTA of
provisions to preserve and enhance CBI
benefits to small CARICOM countries, the
convention tax deduction benefits and
tourism development, which is most
important to countries in the region like
the Bahamas and elsewhere. We were
able to point out the need for continued
support for agriculture and banana,
particularly for the countries of St. Vincent,
Dominica and St. Lucia.
Prime Minister Rt. Hon. P.J. Patterson visits U.S.A., Mexico and Honduras
We were also able to focus on the joint
cooperation in the anti-drug effort and to
point to the fact that one of the most
successful drug interdiction programmes
was between the United States of America
and the Bahamas, where some 26 per cent
of all cocaine seizures was captured (sic).
Finally, we were able to focus on the need
for the continuing promotion of
democracy in our region.
We all leave Washington, DC, determined
to continue our efforts in this region to
work together as partners to ensure a
better quality of life for all of our citizens.
We are most hopeful of the benefits that
will come to our region through the
administration of President Clinton, and
we thank you very much.
15
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STATE DINNER ADDRESS
BY
RT. HONOURABLE P.J. PATTERSON P.C., Q.C., M.P.
PRIME MINISTER OF JAMAICA
AT
LOS CINOS, MEXICO
SEPTEMBER 2, 1993
U.S.A., Mexico and Honduras 17
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• Your Excellency, President Carlos Salinas de
Gortari and Sei'\ora Salinas de Gortari
• Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Fernando Solana Morales and
Sef'iora Solana Morales,
• members of the Diplomatic Corps,
• distinguished guests,
• ladies and gentlemen.
It is indeed a great pleasure for me to express, on my own behalf
and that of my delegation, our deep appreciation for the
splendid Mexican hospitality which we have received. The
people of Mexico have demonstrated time and time again their
genuine friendship and respect for Jamaica and its people. Once
again, you have exceeded all our expectations.
The excellent relations which exist between Mexico and
Jamaica are exemplified by the agreements which have been
signed and the cooperation projects which have been
implemented. Primary among these of course is the San Jose
Accord, which was recently renewed for the 13th consecutive
year. Through this Accord, Jamaica has been able to address a
number of economic and social issues which confront us as we
seek to develop our country.
While all our bi_lateral accords cannot yield such substantial
results, we must make every effort to ensure that each is fully
activated to fulfil its original purpose. During this visit we have
not sought to sign any new agreement, but rather to identify
priority areas of cooperation, to find measures that ensure
effective implementation of existing agreements and elevate the
cooperative relations between our two nations to new heights.
U.S.A., Mexico and Honduras 19
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We have made some strides towards increasing the people-to­people
contact between our two countries. In June of this year,
representatives of our tourism and related sectors met in
Kingston and reached agreements which will have implications
for language training and the sharing of our experiences in the
tourist industry.
Just a month ago, we welcomed in Jamaica a folklore group from
the State of Vera Cruz who participated in our 31st Indepen­dence
Anniversary celebrations.
I must also express appreciation for the interest and support
which your Government has been showing and providing to the
Latin American Caribbean Centre which is to be established
under the auspices of the University of the West Indies. This
centre will not only encompass language studies, but will also
facilitate trade and other links between the peoples of this
region and the Caribbean.
It is with a view to further strengthening our bilateral contacts
and deepening the regional commitment we both share that I
have the privilege to visit with you on this occasion.
We firmly believe that our domestic policies as well as our
external relations must be geared to take into account the
realities of a world economy that is increasingly globalized,
market-driven and technologically oriented.
In this new international economic environment we cannot
shirk from taking the necessary tough decisions to transform our
economy into on·e that is market-driven. Nor dare we forget that
a country must address not only its economic equation, but must
tackle its social needs with no lesser'sense of urgency.
20 Prime Minister Rt. Hon. P.J. Patterson visits
Jamaica is _now firmly and irrevocably on the path of a full
transformation of our economy. We are determined to make the
current _Exten~ed F~nd Facility with the IMF our last and to forge
a relat1onsh1p with that institution that is not born of
dependency.
Add'.tion~lly, my Government has acknowledged the necessity
~o si~ plify and improve the effectiveness of our tax and
incentive s~stems and the need to retool and modernize the
manufacturing sector, in order to improve its competitiveness
both at home and abroad. In this regard, Jamaica has much to
learn from the Mexican experience in privatization and the
restructuring of its economy.
In Jamaica, a responsi_ble private sector is now being exposed to
the challenge of moving our economy into the 21st century of
free trade, ~here competition is intense and protectionism is no
more. It 1s no coincidence that my delegation includes a
representative group of Jamaican private sector personnel who
have b_een. meeting with their counterparts in Cemai. We hope
th~t this will be the beginning of a lasting and fruitful relation­ship
between these two groups.
For far too long the minds of men have been locked in sterile
confrontation between east and west.
With . the cessation of Cold War rivalries, the talents and
potential of mankind can now be fully focussed on advancing
the development process, which had been derailed in too many
p~rts of the Third World. Human development can now be
given the undivided focus of entire nations and the
concentrated energies of our brightest minds.
T~e- developed countries have now closed their ideological
divide. They have achieved unprecedented levels of
technological mastery and threaten to command an ever
U.S.A., Mexico and Honduras
21
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increasing share of world trade. This will result in their acquir­ing
more control of the economic resources needed for further
technological progress.
In this situation, those of us in developing countries must begin
to take our economic destiny into our own hands if we are not
to remain mere mendicant beneficiaries of whatever surplus the
major industrialized countries are able or inclined to share.
We must therefore begin to pool, in a purposeful and coherent
way, such economic and human resources as we possess, in
order to make our own contribution to the development of world
trade, and on terms which can ensure for us a fair share of such
development.
It is for these reasons that we have begun, and will continue, to
place increasing emphasis on our relations with the count~ie~ of
our Caribbean region and to widen our circle of assocIat1on
throughout the developing world . In so doing, we mus~ of
course start from our already established regional grouping,
CARICOM, and extend to the rest of Latin America.
It is in this context that CARICOM leaders have committed
themselves to the establishment of an Association of Caribbean
States which will also seek to encompass the non-English speak­ing
countries of the Caribbean, as well as the countries of Sout_h
and Central America that border on the Caribbean Sea. To thrs
association we in Jamaica have long been committed. We see
the resulting trade, economic, institutional and cultural link­ages
as an essenti_al ingredient for our own future development,
and for the progress of the region as a whole.
It is within this context of regional unity also that we plan to face
the challenges presented by NAFTA. The ability of CARI COM to
act as a cohesive regional body in the face of these challenges
will be subject to much scrutiny. But more importantly, the
22 Prime Minister Rt. Hon. P.J. Pilllerson visits
resilience and adaptability of the economies of individual
member countries will be severely tested. We expect the
support and understanding of your Government in addressing
our legitimate concerns.
Mr .. ~resident,_ this trip marks the continuation of a long
tradrtron of reciprocal State visits. You endeared yourself to all
those who had the privilege of meeting you on your journey to
our island three years ago. We are overwhelmed that you have
received us with such open arms to your pleasant shores.
The amicable discussions we held then have been cemented by
the cordial and productive dialogue in which we both have
engaged here in an atmosphere of warmth, friendship, mutual
respect and harmony of purpose.
In closing, I must once again thank the Mexican Government
and people for their warmth and friendship with Jamaica over
many decades, and to express my confidence that with
continued willingness on both sides, these bonds will be further
strengthened in the years to come.
U.S.A., Mexico and Honduras
23
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JOINT COMMUNIQUE
BETWEEN THE
GOVERNMENTS OF
MEXICO AND JAMAICA
AUGUST 31 - SEPTEMBER 2, 1993
U.S.A., Mexico and Honduras 25
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Invited by the President of the United Mexican States,
Lie. Carlos Salinas de Gortari, the Prime Minister of Jamaica,
P.J. Patterson, made an official visit to Mexico on August 31 to
September 2, 1993.
The visit was undertaken to reciprocate that made by the
President of Mexico to Jamaica in July, 1990 and took place in
the framework of open friendship and cordiality which
characterize the excellent relations between the two countries.
Their meeting was the fourth occasion on which a head of
Government of Jamaica visited Mexico and served to promote
and strengthen links of cooperation in the political,
economic, scientific, technological, cultural and educational
fields. Both leaders examined relations between their
countries and held fruitful consultations on matters of common
interest in the regional and global context. At the end of the
visit, the President of the United Mexican States and the Prime
· Minister of Jamaica agreed to record the content of their
conversations in a joint communique.
Joint Communique
President Carlos Salinas de Gortari stated that within the guide-
1 ines of Mexico's foreign policy, the importance of the
Caribbean region is emphasized since this is considered as
Mexico's third frontier, and is a fundamental component of
Mexico's policy of diversification of its international economic
relations.
In this context, he emphasized the uniqueness and vitality of
Jamaica as well as the solidarity of its institutions.
U.S.A., Mexico and Honduras 27
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For his part, Prime Minister Patterson acknowledged the
significant role of Mexico within the Caribbean region, and
indicated that for Jamaica and the other member countries of
CARICOM, the development of closer cooperative links with
Mexico and other countries of Latin America is a priority. The
Prime Minister of Jamaica congratulated President Salinas for
the enormous strides made by his Administration in promoting
the development of Mexico and the diversification of its
external relations.
The President of Mexico and the Prime Minister of Jamaica
agreed that the meeting was an important factor in the
strengthening of bilateral relations as an expression of the will
for political collaboration which exists between both
countries.
The leaders stressed the importance of continuing to deepen the
political dialogue between the two countries which has
resulted in a greater closeness between their peoples, as well as
among the public, academic and private institutions of Mexico
and Jamaica.
In analyzing important changes which have occurred at the
global level, the president and the prime minister agreed that
developing countries confront serious challenges. In this
regard, they stated that worldwide trends towards globalization
and the formation of blocs at the regional level indicated the
need for defining agreements and specific objectives for
achieving a closer relationship between Latin America and the
Caribbean.
In this context, President Carlos Salinas de Gortari expressed
satisfaction with the decided position of Jamaica for even closer
linkages with Latin America as reiterated in the 14th Meeting of
the Caribbean Heads of Government Conference.
28 Prime Minister Rt. Hon. P.J. Patterson visits
The leaders expressed their firm support for the creation of the
~ssociation of Caribbean States, an initiative which originated
in the extraordinary Meeting of the Heads of Government of the
Caribbean held in Trinidad and Tobago in October 1992, and
whic~ w!II link the countries of CARICOM, the Spanish­speaking
islands and the continental countries which border the
Caribbean, thereby promoting economic integration and
cooperation between the countries of the Caribbean Basin.
Both leaders agreed that the creation of this Association wi 11
ensure for the countries of the Caribbean Basin, a permanent
forum for the discussion of matters of mutual interest. This could
contribute to the resolution of differences in a regional frame­work,
which in the current international circumstances, would
be highly favourable for intra-regional cooperation.
They agreed that the signing of the North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA) could open new opportunities for the
productive sectors of Jamaica and assist their incorporation into
the potential market of North America and particularly, into that
of Mexico.
They also agreed that in the process of the implementation of
NAFTA, the special situation of small developing countries of
the region, such as Jamaica, should be borne in mind.
In this context, the president and the prime minister agreed to
regularly consult on matters relative to NAFTA which might
impact on the relations between Mexico and the countries of the
Caribbean.
Both leaders expressed agreement with the conclusions
arrived at by the 23rd General Assembly of the OAS that extreme
poverty and social injustice are the principal threats to political
stability and the consolidation of democracy in Latin America
and the Caribbean.
U.S.A., Mexico and Honduras 29
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President Carlos Salinas de Gortari and Prime Minister
P.J. Patterson agreed to stress the importance of the
extraordinary Conference of the OAS on Inter-American
Cooperation for Development, to be held in Mexico in February
1994. They expressed their hope for the successful conclusion
of this conference. Additionally, they expressed their
satisfaction with the results of the Conference on Cooperation in
Social Policies held recently in Cozumel, Mexico, with the
participation of Central American and Caribbean countries.
The President of Mexico and the Prime Minister of Jamaica
expressed their satisfaction with the collaboration of the United
Nations and the OAS on the question of Haiti. They expressed
their hope that the solution to the crisis in that country will be
an important advancement for the renewal of international
cooperation which would contribute to the solution of the most
urgent problems of that country.
On regional issues, both leaders agreed on the necessity for the
full reincorporation of Cuba into the inter-American system as
well as for the closer economic and political relations between
the nations of Latin America, the Caribbean and that island ,
with full adherence to the principles of non-interference and
self-determination of peoples.
The leaders stated their interests in strengthening technical
cooperation programmes in force between Mexico and the
Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which contribute to the
economic and social development of the region. In this sense,
Prime Minister Patterson emphasized the importance of
Mexican cooperation with the Caribbean, and stressed the need
to strengthen the co0perative mechanisms between Mexico and
the region.
30 Prime Minister Rt. Hon. P.J. Palterson visits
Both leaders emphasized the importance of the holding of the
first summit meeting of the Group of Three with the countries of
CARICOM and Suriname, scheduled for September in Port of
Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. In this context, they reiterated that
the cooperation put in place by the Group of Three with the
Caribbean should be oriented to programmes of regional scope
and be additional to existing bilateral cooperation.
In their review of bilateral relations, both leaders underlined the
common interest in continuing the promotion of closer relations
between both countries and agreed on the need to maintain and
deepen political dialogue, which they sustain based on mutual
respect.
In this context the leaders decided to establish the Mexico/
Jamaica Bi-national Commission, with a view to placing the
review and promotion of the various aspects of the bilateral
agenda in an integrated context. It was established that this
Commission will meet alternately in each country on dates to be
determined by both parties. They agreed that the first meeting
of the bi-national commission will be held in the first quarter of
1994.
The President of Mexico expressed his pleasure at the
advantageous use being made of the Mexican information and
documentation centre which offers the Jamaican people access
to the directories, guides, journals and references on business
opportunities in Mexico. He pointed to the participation of the
private sector in the two seminars on business opportunities
which were held in Mexico.
Both leaders emphasized the need to foster a greater
cooperation and to promote investments between the private
sectors of both countries. They expressed the hope that the
contacts made by the team of businessmen which accompanied
the prime minister during his official visit to Mexico, would
U.S.A., Mexico and Hondixas 31
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serve to intensify the relations between the private sectors, for
the benefit of both countries.
For his part, Prime Minister Patterson expressed appreciation for
the cooperation of the Government of Mexico in the holding of
a seminar in Jamaica in September, the objectives for which is
the transmission of the Mexican experience in the development
of the National Solidarity Programme.
The leaders of Mexico and Jamaica expressed their satisfaction
with the excellent state of the financial relations between both
countries.
Further, both leaders expressed their satisfaction with the recent
renewal of the San Jose Accord, which will permit the
continuation of petroleum supply and the generation of
resources for financing the commercial exchange of goods and
services and the implementation of the economic and social
development projects of the beneficiary countries.
Both leaders were gratified by the conclusion last June of the
debt restructuring agreement between the Bank of Jamaica and
the Government of Mexico, by which the Government of
Jamaica was given financial liquidity to permit work to continue
on the Greater Portmore Urban Development Project. The
Prime Minister of Jamaica expressed his gratitude to the
Mexican head of State for the support given to the implementa­tion
of this project.
The leaders of Mexico and Jamaica agreed that negotiations
should begin for the signing of a memorandum of understanding
in the area of communications which would allow intensified
cooperation in this important sector.
32 Prime Minister Rt. Hon. P.J. Patterson visits
Both leaders agreed to continue and deepen collaboration in the
area of technical cooperation and to that end, they agreed to
hold the next meeting of the Mexico/Jamaica mixed commission
on technical cooperation between both nations, in the context
of the first meeting of the bi-national commission.
In this context, the two leaders recognized the importance of
promoting collaboration in the health sector, particularly in the
field of nuclear medicine.
The President of Mexico and the Prime Minister of Jamaica
congratulated each other on the collaboration achieved in the
field of agriculture, stressing the cooperation attained in corn
cultivation and in combatting the lethal yellowing disease which
affects coconut.
The leaders emphasized the cooperation developed in the
tourism sector. In this regard they congratulated each other on
the establishment last June of the Bilateral Tourism Working
Group and the holding of the first meeting of that group. In this
context they agreed to deepen their collaboration in this sector,
which is so important for both countries, in areas such as the
management of tourism flows, security, cruise shipping,
airlines, dual destinations and exchanges of handicraft.
The Prime Minister announced to the President of Mexico the
offer of a scholarship for three years in the tourism field, tenable
at the University of the West Indies as of 1994.
In the educational and cultural fields, the President of Mexico
and the Prime Minister of Jamaica reaffirmed their interest in
strengthening and increasing cooperation in these areas, in the
framework of the cultural cooperation agreement signed on
July 30, 1990.
U.S.A., Mexico and Honduras 33
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Both leaders stated their agreement to hold the first meeting on
cultural cooperation in the context of the first meeting of the
bi-national commission with a view to defining new projects for
collaboration and augmenting exchanges in the areas of human
resource development, educational cooperation, academic I inks,
artistic exchange, cultural patrimony and audio-visual media.
The President of Mexico expressed his pleasure with the
decision of the Government of Jamaica to give strong
promotion to the teaching of Spanish as a second language. For
his part, the Prime Minister of Jamaica recognized Mexican
participation in the special commission for the promotion of
Spanish and was grateful for the support given to the business
sector of his country through the Spanish courses, especially
designed for that sector, which are given at the Mexican
Embassy. They also emphasized the important contribution of
Mexico in the teaching of Spanish courses at the University of
the West Indies.
At the end of the visit Prime Minister Patterson expressed his
profound gratitude to the President and people of Mexico for
the warm hospitality and demonstration of friendship which he
and his delegation received during their stay in Mexico City. He
also expressed his best wishes for the continued development
and prosperity of the Mexican people, as well as the will of the
Government of Jamaica to develop even closer relations with
Mexico.
34 Prime Minister Rt. Hon. P.J. Patterson visits
ADDRESS AT AWARDS CEREMONY
PRESIDENT'S OFFICE
HONDURAS
SEPTEMBER 3, 1993
U.S.A., Mexico and Honduras 35
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J t is with a deep appreciation of the special honour that
you have bestowed on me that I express profound thanks on
my own behalf and that of the Government and people of
Jamaica.
Only this morning, I paid tribute to the memory of your great
national hero General Francisco Morazan.
History has recorded that one of his finest attributes was his
passionate dedication to the cause of the unification of Central
America. As you know, our own mission today is t.o work
towards that very cause, and to take it even further as we seek
to unite in the struggle of al I the people of the Caribbean and the
Americas for the better life for which your national hero devoted
his energies and his life.
Please accept my sincere thanks for this award; a symbol of hope
for stronger bonds of friendship between the people of Honduras
and of Jamaica as we seek to build a better future for us all, a
future that makes the sacrifices of our nations' founders
worthwhile.
I wish to express on my own behalf and that of my delegation,
our sincere appreciation for the warm and friendly hospitality
which we have been receiving since our arrival in Honduras.
My visit to Teg_ucigalpa today is in response to the invitation
which you so graciously extended when you visited my country
last October. It completes the first cycle of official visits by the
heads of our two countries and creates a foundation for the long
and close friendship which our proximity and sense of history
dictate.
U.S.A., Mexico and Honduras 37
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We are most appreciative of the speed with which you have
moved to appoint a resident ambassador in Kingston. It is a
clear demonstration of the will to forge a new era of
partnership between our Governments and people. The visit of
my delegation to Honduras at this time, is a demonstration on
the part of my Government of our sincere desire to bridge the
gap between CARICOM and the countries of the Caribbean
region.
Mr. President, it was largely through your instrumentality that a
start has been made to strengthen not only the relations between
those countries, but between all the countries of the Caribbean,
Central America and the rest of Latin America.
Honduras hosted the first ministerial meeting of the Caribbean
and Central American countries in San Pedro Sula, in January
1992. It was Jamaica's privilege to host the second meeting in
Kingston in May of this year.
These meetings have served to underscore the need for us to
pool our resources, as we seek to meet the challenges of a
changing world order.
Indeed, it is for this reason that CARICOM leaders have
committed themselves to the Association of Caribbean States ·
(ACS). The association, of which CARICOM will be the core,
will also seek to encompass the non-English speaking island
countries of the Caribbean as well as the countries of South and
Central America that border the Caribbean. We in Jamaica have
long been committed to this.
CARI COM heads, at their last meeting, endorsed a plan of action
for the ACS. It is proposed to convene an early meeting of
potential ACS members to negotiate the structure, membership,
objectives, functions and areas of activities. We look forward to
the active participation of Honduras.
38 Prime Minister Rt. Hon. P.J. PMterson visits
The international economic environment has undergone
fundamental changes in the past decade. Many of the
traditional relationships and special arrangements on which we
in the Caribbean and Central America have relied and which
enabled us to survive, are now being threatened.
We are in danger of being marginalized. The challenges facing
us are real and immediate. Concerted and instant action is
required. There is no time to lose.
We cannot afford to perpetuate a legacy of colonial history.
Despite the differences in language, ethnic composition and
cultural background, the peculiarities that have kept us apart are
far fewer than the things which we have in common - the
Caribbean Sea, centuries of external exploitation, the
commitment to democracy and human rights, the belief that the
purpose of government is for the optimum development of our
people and that political service is a privilege rather than for
material reward.
I am firm in the belief that if countries like ours are to share in
a meaningful way in a world economy that is increasingly
globalized, market-driven and technologically oriented, our
domestic policies and external relations must be geared to meet
these new conditions.
We have not even begun to scratch the surface of the potential
for trade and economic collaboration between our two
countries. The respective private sectors of our countries are
now in a position to get together to display the type of initiative
and cooperation that can increase the levels of trade between
us. For too long we have concentrated on the development of
trade with the developed countries. It is time for us to fulfil the
potential for economic growth and development among the
developing countries of the world.
U.S.A., Mexico and Honduras 39
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In all this, we need to establish direct transportation and
communication links between our people and products across
the region .
There are several areas in which we can learn from each other
and cooperate to improve the social fabric and economic well­being
of our peoples. We have talked about language training,
tourism, vocational training and cooperation in agriculture.
Let us go about the business of increasing people-to-people
contact, of cultural exchanges, of student visits, sporting
contacts, with vigour. Let us begin in a modest way, fully
recognizing the constraints which have kept us apart, but
determined to build closer ties.
Our discussions have been inspired by an atmosphere of warmth
and cordiality. It is in this spirit that we have considered the
banana problem. As a family, we should confront differences
with a mutuality of understanding rather than depend on others
to find a resolution.
We both concur regarding the need for early ministerial
consultations, possibly in St. Lucia, between the CARICOM and
Latin American producers, without further delay.
My mission in your country is to bring to the people of
Honduras a message of our firm intention to work with you to
bring to this region the prosperity, economic growth and social
development that ought to reflect the quality of the human and
natural resources with which we have been blessed.
It is in this spirit that I would like to announce that my
Government is prepared to offer scholarships to five Hondurans
to study in Jamaica.
40 Prime Minister Rt. Hon. P.J. Patterson visits
Our discussions have taken place in an atmosphere of true
friendship. In closing, I wish again to thank you, the Honduran
Government and the people, for the warm hospitality extended
to me and my delegation on this visit, and to express the
confident expectation that it will cement the process of
cooperation and mutual support that augur an exciting chapter
for a brave new world .
May the bonds of friendship between our two countries be
continued and further strengthened in the years ahead.
U.S.A., Mexico and Honduras 41
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JOINT COMMUNIQUE
BETWEEN THE
GOVERNMENTS OF
HONDURAS AND JAMAICA
SEPTEMBER 2-4, 1993
U.S.A., Mexico and Honduras 43
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In response to the invitation extended to him by Licenciado
Rafael Leonardo Callejas Romero, President of the Republic of
Honduras, the Rt Hon. Percival J. Patterson, Prime Minister of
Jamaica, made an official visit to the Republic of Honduras on
September 2, 3 and 4, 1993, accompanied by a delegation
comprised of governmental and private sector representatives.
The visiting leader was decorated by the President of the Repub­lic
of Honduras with the La Order de Morazan, Degree "Gran
Cruz Placa de Oro".
Both leaders exchanged views on the international and regional
situation, reviewed the state of bilateral cooperation in the
political, economic, social and cultural fields and reaffirmed
their willingness to strengthen even further the bonds of friend­ship
and cooperation which exist between Jamaica and Hondu­ras.
At the end of their conversations the leaders signed a joint
communique.
Joint Communique
President Callejas and Prime Minister Patterson agreed to
continue supporting actions towards the strengthening of the
processes for development, democracy and the promotion of
human rights in a framework of solidarity and international
cooperation.
In this connection, they stated their satisfaction with the progress
achieved in the solution of the crisis in Haiti within the frame­work
of the Governor's Island Accord and reaffirmed their desire
for the continued efforts of the OAS and the UN, while urging all
parties to redouble their efforts to comply with the agreements
reached so that international cooperation for the development
of Haiti may be renewed.
U.S.A., Me.,cico and Honduras 45
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Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the integration
process and expressed their deep satisfaction with the results
achieved at the Second Ministerial Conference of the Countries
of the Central American Isthmus and the Caribbean Community
held in the city of Kingston, Jamaica on May 27 and 28, 1993.
President Callejas declared his appreciation and pleasure with
the outstanding impetus given by the Prime Minister of
Jamaica and his Government to the advances made at the
Second Ministerial Conference. The leaders reaffirmed the
commitment of their governments to the faithful implementation
of the agreements signed on that occasion, especially in the
areas of protection of the environment, maritime transport and
technological information, agriculture, finance, trade and
investment, cooperation for disaster preparedness and the
struggle against drug trafficking.
They also recognized the importance of even closer relations
between both regions which is to be achieved by overcoming
the language barrier and increasing the flow of information.
Both leaders stated their satisfaction with the conclusion of the
cooperation Accord between SIECA and CARICOM and
considered that the Accord constitutes a useful framework for
the implementation of cooperation programmes.
In this regard, the leaders expressed their determination to
launch immediate efforts towards holding a seminar on business
opportunities, an initiative which resulted from that
conference.
President Callejas broadly outlined to the Prime Minister of
Jamaica the progress achieved in the agreements reached at the
meetings of the Presidents of the Central American Group of
Four, in particular those held in Amapala, Honduras on June 30
and in San Salvador on August 27 of this year.
46 Prime Minister Rt. Hon. P.J. Patterson visits
The President of Honduras and the Prime Minister of Jamaica
emphasized that the North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA) is an important mechanism for trade liberation. They
recognized that its impact on the regional economy is
inevitable and agreed that in the process of NAFTA's
implementation, the special situation of the small developing
States should be borne in mind. In that context, they welcomed
the Gibbons Bill in the Unites States Congress entitled
"Caribbean Basin Free Trade Agreements Act" and looked
forward to its successful passage. They also agreed to consult on
the eventual establishment of a task force to consider issues
pertinent to the relationship of the countries of the subregion to
NAFTA.
For his part, the Prime Minister of Jamaica stressed the decisive
role which President Callejas has played in the process of
Central American integration, which has made significant strides.
He also affirmed the commitment of his country to the
establishment of the Association of Caribbean States, which
would naturally include the countries of Central America.
For both leaders, the creation of the Association of Caribbean
States would contribute to fostering collaboration between the
Caribbean countries and Latin American countries of the
Caribbean littoral, in order to enhance the economic and social
development of the region. They reaffirmed their support for the
proposal and agreed that work should continue to enable the
Association to become a reality in the near future.
The leaders emphasized the valuable support given by the
Group of Three in the efforts for development in the Central
American region. President Callejas expressed his wish that at
the upcoming meeting to be held between the Group of Three
and the member countries of CARICOM, results which satisfy
the aspirations of that region will be obtained.
U.S.A., Mexico and Honduras 47
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The leaders expressed their satisfaction with the recent
approval by the National Congress of Honduras of the Law of
the Sea Convention, signed in Montego Bay, Jamaica, on
December 10, 1982, and expressed their hope that other
countries ratify it in order to enable its entry into force as soon
as possible.
Both leaders discussed the banana issue and agreed that the
ministerial consultations between CARICOM and Latin
American producers should begin as soon as possible.
With respect to broader regional cooperation, the president and
the prime minister believed that each sub-region can learn and
profit from detailed exchanges of information related to
economic liberalization. Both Honduras and Jamaica confront
similar problems as small developing countries with similar
production and external market issues. Information exchange
should be set up for stock markets, privatization, tariff
reduction, port management and other relevant areas.
After expressing their deep concern about the problem caused
by increased drug trafficking, the leaders committed themselves
to the adoption of the necessary measures for establishing a
system of up-to-date information exchange on the subject and
reaffirmed their intention to sign a convention on this matter as
soon as possible.
Prime Minister Patterson welcomed the establishment of an
embassy by the Government of Honduras and the appointment
of a resident amba~sador in April, 1993 and remarked that this
represented a major advance in the relations between the two
countries since the visit of President Callejas to Jamaica in
October 1992, and augured well for the expansion of these
relations.
48 Prime Minister Rt. Hon. P.J. Patterson visits
President Callejas informed Prime Minister Patterson that the -
Government of the Republic of Honduras has complied with the
constitutional requirements for the ratification ofthe agreement
on economic and technical cooperation signed between the
Government of Jamaica and the Government of Honduras.
Prime Minister Patterson welcomed this information and, in
turn, advised the President of Jamaica's readiness to ratify that
agreement during the official visit.
In that context, the leaders decided to give priority to the
establishment of the Honduras-Jamaica Mixed Commission so
that it may meet as soon as possible and recommend to the
respective governments a plan of action and specific
programmes for achieving the objectives of that agreement.
Both leaders agreed to take initiatives in international
organizations and approach friendly governments with a view to
obtaining financing for the programmes to be developed in the
framework of that cooperation agreement.
In their examination of commercial relations between both
countries, the leaders stated that those are still inadequate and
agreed on the need to widen, extend and diversify such
relations; as a result of which, they instructed their ministers in
that area to immediately undertake an evaluation of the export
goods of each country.
Additionally, they expressed their satisfaction with the
bilateral interviews which representatives of the private sectors
of both countries held, during which the Honduran side, through
the Executive President of the Foundation for Investment and
Development of Exports (FIDE) informed on the activities and
experiences of that institution. The Jamaican side provided
information on Jamaica's policies, programmes and experiences
in the areas of investments and export promotion.
U.S.A., Mexico and Honduras 49
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Prime Minister Patterson reaffirmed the commitment of his
Government to offer Honduras assistance in the area of tourism
and agreed that consultations would be maintained between
tourism entities for the establishment of a joint programme in
the field. Further, his offer of scholarships for skills training in
the hotel and garment industries, was welcomed by the
president.
For his part President Callejas offered Jamaica technical
assistance in agriculture and forestry, which could be
channelled through the Pan American Agricultural School and
the Honduran Corporation for Forestry Development. In
expressing his appreciation, Prime Minister Patterson said this
was an excellent demonstration of horizontal cooperation.
At the conclusion of his visit, the Prime Minister of Jamaica,
Rt Hon. Percival J. Patterson, expressed his appreciation for the
warm hospitality which was afforded to him and the members of
his delegation by the Government and people of Honduras. He
stated that this visit would serve to further strengthen the
relations between the Governments and peoples of Jamaica and
Honduras, to the benefit and well-being of both peoples.
Tegucigalpa, M.D.C., September 3, 1993
Percival J. Patterson
Prime Minister
of Jamaica
50
Rafael Leonardo Callejas
President of the Republic
of Honduras.
Prime Minister Rt. Hon. P.}. Patterson visits
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•
JIS
Printed and published by
The Jamaica Information Service
September 1993
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