OECS Heads Stand Firm on Negotiations with Cable & Wireless

Contact: Roger Joseph

Thursday, February 15, 2001 – OECS Prime Ministers say they will reject any attempt to fragment negotiations on the liberalization of the telecommunication sector in the sub-region. In a statement issued out of Barbados today, the Prime Ministers expressed disappointment with the decision of Cable and Wireless to give notice of its intention to exit from St. Lucia.

"This approach to divorce St. Lucia from the regional process is unacceptable and inconsistent with the spirit and intent of the negotiations," the statement said.

It continued: "The Heads of Government of the OECS agreed that if Cable and Wireless proceeds with its intention to withdraw from St. Lucia then the issue of withdrawal will also arise in all member states of ECTEL, that is, Dominica, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts/Nevis and St. Lucia. The Heads called on Cable and Wireless to withdraw its notice to St. Lucia as an essential measure in the creation of a suitable environment for positive discussions."

The statement underscored the strategic importance of the Telecommunications sector to the further economic and social development of the OECS, and in keeping with the level of importance assigned to this sector, the OECS delegation will now be led by the Chairman of the Authority of the OECS, Honourable Dr. Keith Mitchell.

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