President Hipolito Mejia traveled today, 19 January to Jamaica to be present at the meeting of Caribbean heads of state and the Prime Minister of Canada Jean Chretien. President Mejia travels with empty hands, though, not having been able to come through with his promise to Caribbean heads of state of the congressional approval of the Caribbean and Central American free trade agreements. The 6th Caricom-Canada Summit was to be held in September 2000, but it was rescheduled when Prime Minister of Canada cancelled his participation after the death of former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. PM Jean Chretien was advised of the death on his flight to Jamaica. At the time he was traveling with Dominican President Hipólito Mejía. He left shortly for Canada, after suspending the talks. The Plenary Agenda includes the Summit of the Americas and FTAA, multilateral initiatives on offshore financial centers, Canada-CARICOM trade issues, small state issues and transnational issues (crime/drugs/small arms/HIV Aids). RNM representation will be led by Chief Negotiator Sir Shridath Ramphal and Chief Technical Advisor Sir Alister McIntyre.
