| |
Contact:
John Emmanuel
Friday, July 02, 2004 - St. Lucia’s Prime Minster Honourable Dr. Kenny
Anthony has paid tribute to the legacy of Jamaica’s Prime Minister, the most
Honourable Percival James Patterson, who wrapped up a two-day official visit to
the island on Friday, July 2, 2004.
At a special dinner at the Sandals Grande Resort and Spa in the north of the
island on Thursday, July 1st, 2004, Prime Minister Anthony said it was important
to acclaim the efforts of the distinguished integrationist while he was still
alive.
Dr. Anthony described his Jamaican counterpart as a visionary, who had played a
significant role in the stabilization of Caribbean politics.
To an audience made up of government officials, private sector representatives,
the legal fraternity and the diplomatic corps, Dr. Anthony painted a picture of
“a man of action who spoke softly, but worked effectively,” pointing to Prime
Minister Patterson as a major force in the regional integration process.
“PJ Patterson has been recognized as a thoughtful and analytical mind, whose
capacity to focus on the incisive issues is legendary,” said Dr. Anthony, adding
that no Caribbean leader since the founding fathers had presided over CARICOM
with the sagacity of PJ Patterson.
“And therefore, Prime Minister, as you ponder about the future, we want to make
sure that you were introduced in the flesh, to the people of St. Lucia and that
we took this opportunity to place on record our deep, sincere and abiding
appreciation of all that you have resolutely stood for and all that you have
unrelentingly fought for,” Dr. Anthony said.
According to Prime Minister Anthony, the Jamaican leader is a recognized face of
the Third World and a distinguished voice of the Caribbean, which is respected
in the corridors of international power, as in the ghettos of the dispossessed.
Prime Minister Patterson served as deputy Prime Minister under former Jamaica
Prime Minister, Michael Manley. He has served four terms and has been elected
three times in succession. He is the longest serving Prime Minister among the
current leaders in the region.
Before ending his St. Lucia visit, Prime Minister Patterson addressed the
business community via a special luncheon of the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce,
Industry and Agriculture. His addressed focused on deepening CARICOM integration
and the CSME. He also met with students of the island’s premiere tertiary level
institution, Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, as well as members of the St.
Lucia Jamaica Association.
|
