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by:
Virnet St. Omer-Fontenelle
Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - Congratulatory messages still continue to
pour in on the occasion of St. Lucia’s 25th Independence Anniversary. The
messages to Prime Minister, Dr. Kenny D. Anthony expressing solidarity and
wishes for continued prosperity of the young nation came from as far as Eastern
Europe.
From the seat of Government in Bucharest, Prime Minister Adrian Nastase
expressed Romania’s kind wishes for “peace and personal happiness for Saint
Lucians.”
European Union Head of Delegation, Amos Tincani on behalf of the Delegation of
the European Commission in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean and on his own
behalf offered warm congratulations to Dr. Anthony, his Government and all St.
Lucians. He said that he looked forward to continued fruitful cooperation with
the Government, and to further strengthen the cordial relations, which exist
between the country and the European Commission.
The expression of congratulations from the United Mexican States was articulated
by President Vincente Fox Quesada. “I am confident that we will continue to
strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation that unite our nations,” he
said.
Cuba wrote of the great importance it attaches to friendly relations with Saint
Lucia, and the commitment of the two islands to further integration of the
Caribbean. President Fidel Castro Ruz said he was “encouraged by the outcome of
the CARICOM-Cuba Summit of 8th December 2003”, as the two countries pursue
integration.
Premier of the State Council of The People’s Republic of China, Wen Jiabao
wished for Saint Lucia “… to make new achievements in the construction of
political, economic and social fields and various areas.”
Commander of the U.S. Southern Command, General James T. Hill extended
congratulations to Dr. Anthony and the police. The U.S. Southern Command Leader
commended Saint Lucia’s role in achieving and maintaining a stable democracy.
“Their professionalism and commitment to excellence are most commendable”. Of
Prime Minster Anthony’s role, he said, “You personally have provided exceptional
leadership and direction as Chairman of the Council of Ministers to the Regional
Security System (RSS)”.
The congratulatory messages from sister Caribbean islands focussed on building
consensus on shared ideals of integration in the strengthening of CARICOM, the
advancement of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, the Caribbean Court of
Justice and the development and progress of the OECS.
Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Honourable Lester Bird said “Twenty-five
years in a nation’s history is highly symbolic and significant, especially in
the context of the contribution, which St. Lucia has made to the development and
progress of the OECS, CARICOM, and the Caribbean region”. He pledged to continue
working with the Government of people of Saint Lucia “to advance the goals of
our countries and the region as a whole”.
Jamaica’s Prime Minister, P. J. Patterson committed his country to working with
Saint Lucia on the effective implementation of the Caribbean Single Market and
Economy and the Caribbean Court of Justice, indicating that 2004 would be a
milestone for the two countries as they worked towards “fulfilling a regional
agenda that will allow for enhanced interaction on all levels”.
The Prime Minister of Grenada, Dr the Honourable Keith Mitchell spoke of a
common heritage, and political ideals. “We share values of democracy and a
similar historical heritage. The close relations we enjoy augur well for a
united Caribbean region. Together with the rest of the member states of the
Caribbean community, we will continue to strive towards meaningful integration,
progress and prosperity of our societies.” He said.
Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community, His Excellency Edwin W. Carrington
spoke of outstanding achievements in the 25 year history of nationhood. He said
“… the Community shared the pride of all Saint Lucians on the two occasions on
which its nationals won Nobel Prizes, and it’s most recent success in being the
smallest member country of the United Nations to ever hold the Presidency of the
United Nations General Assembly.”
Meanwhile the Organisation of American States - St. Lucia Office called for St.
Lucia to close ranks with the rest of the Caribbean to tackle the issues of a
changing world environment. Pointing to inequities hastened by the technological
changes the OAS said, “We are not unaware of the will and ingenuity of the Saint
Lucian people, or their ability, especially in collaboration with their CARICOM
partners to find answers to the difficult questions posed by new and mutating
theories about the rules of international interface”, said Alphonsus Antoine,
Director of the Office of the OAS in Saint Lucia.
Also in St. Lucia, OECS Director General, Len Ishmael conveyed congratulations
to Dr. Anthony, his Cabinet colleagues and the people of St. Lucia on behalf of
the Secretariat.
St. Lucia celebrated twenty-five years of Independence on February 22, 2004.
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