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CARICOM urges fair competition climate at UK Meeting with Blair
- President Jagdeo

The Nation’s Children engage President Jagdeo as the world celebrates
International Children’s Day of Broadcasting

CARICOM urges fair competition climate at UK Meeting with Blair
- President Jagdeo

Georgetown, GINA, December 13, 2003

CARICOM’s position during a discussion with the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Tony Blair, was to solicit the developed country’s assistance in creating a fair trading ground.
This was conveyed by President Bharrat Jagdeo, who attended the meeting, at a Media Conference yesterday.
President Jagdeo and other CARICOM Heads of State met Prime Minister Blair for the CARICOM/United Kingdom (UK) round of discussion on December 1.
The Heads were on their way to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in Abuja, Nigeria from December 5 through 8.
The meeting lasted about one hour and discussed a number of issues of concern to the CARICOM Leaders present and the UK Prime Minister.
Among issues discussed were security, economic cooperation, preferential access to the European market and specific areas of cooperation between CARICOM and the UK. The breakfast meeting was held at the invitation of Prime Minister Blair.
The meeting provided the opportunity for the Heads to exchange views on a number of issues of mutual interest, particularly those related to trade and security.
The discussions centered on two key matters: the question of how to restart the stalled WTO negotiations following its collapse in Cancun, Mexico and the upcoming negotiations for a Regional Economic Partnership Agreement (REPA) between the /European Union (EU) and Caribbean countries involved in the ACP/EU Cotonu Agreement.
Cognizant of the consequences of reform of the 'Banana Regime', CARICOM Heads expressed grave concern regarding the upcoming reforms of the EU Sugar Regime and its implications for the ACP/EU Sugar Protocol, which is accepted as being of indefinite duration.
The importance of the sugar industry was generally recognized, particularly to the economies of the CARICOM countries which are party to the Sugar Protocol - Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago - in terms of foreign exchange and employment, especially for the rural population.
This is especially important for Guyana where eighty percent of sugar exports is to the European Union. This single commodity contributes 20 percent of Guyana’s total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and over 50 percent of the agricultural products.
It is the country's single largest earner of foreign exchange. In 2001, sugar earned US$121 million, from the Nation's estimated total merchandise exports of US$489 million. Of the US$121million earned by sugar, just under US$100 million came from export to the EU, largely due to the preferential price offered to ACP States.
The situation regarding rice, another important commodity for Guyana's economy, was also raised with the UK Prime Minister.
CARICOM Leaders highlighted the fact that the situation for this commodity, for which significant reduction in export earnings seem certain, in light of decisions already taken by the EU, had worsened the trading prospects of the Region in that market.
The Heads further pointed out that when this issue is added to that of bananas and sugar, the Caribbean will face a serious trade situation in the upcoming REPA negotiations.
“The encounter afforded us the opportunity to impress upon the British Government the particular concerns of our region, especially in relation to our major commodity exports such as sugar, rice, bananas and rum, which go to the European Union,’ the President said.
While in the UK, he also met the newly appointed Secretary of State for Development (DFID), Mr. Hilary Benn.
“With both, I argued for additional support - not only in financial terms but for our policies. We do not want handouts, but rather arrangements that would help us to compete meaningfully in the global economy,” he said.
The President lobbied for the budgetary aid to Guyana from the UK to remain the same as it was before recent allocations by the UK to rebuilding Iraq following the war.
“With the increasing diversion of aid to Iraq and the loss of preferences, CARICOM countries run the risk of being further marginalized from development,’ he said.
President Jagdeo also campaigned for the UK’s support for an early completion point for the Highly Indebted poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. Guyana stands to benefit substantially from the HIPC Initiative. The country could be relieved of US$600M in debt over the next 20 years.
“Both in London and Abuja, there was reason to believe that through frank and friendly dialogue, our partners were understanding of our arguments. The Commonwealth connection which links both developed and developing countries in a very close and intimate way, has proved extremely useful in bridging different interests and concerns,” the President said.
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The Nation’s Children engage President Jagdeo as the world celebrates International Children’s Day of Broadcasting

Georgetown, GINA, December 13, 2003

By Sohodra Rampersaud

The Head of State President Bharrat Jagdeo’s opinion was sought on key issues as five children from City Schools took turn questioning him during a television interview for International Children’s Day of Broadcasting.
The interview took place at State House this afternoon.
The Children are Freda Alphonso, 12, Richard Ishmael Secondary School; Erica Seeraj, 8, Rama Krishna Primary School; Corwain Cyrus, 15, St. Stanislaus College; Tavea Abrama, 9, St. Margaret’s Primary and Paul Phillips, 15 of Central High School.
The students and pupils engaged the President on issues relating to the theme of this year’s celebration, “Heroes Are Role Models.”
Paul was interested in learning about the President’s role models, who are Dr. Cheddi Jagan and Martin Luther King. When questioned about his admiration for Dr. Jagan, the Head of State responded that it was the leadership qualities displayed by Dr. Jagan during the historic struggles of Guyana that caught his attention. This admiration grew when the President joined the Progressive Youth Organization at age 13 and then the People’s Progressive Party three years later. He recalled the many lessons learnt from his local hero, including a commitment to serve with honesty and equality.
The President promoted the idea of having role models, as it enables young people to set high standards and virtues, which can result in immense success.
However, the President dissuaded the children from thinking that role models are only politicians and celebrities. He noted that this is a narrow view often promoted, as teachers, policemen, nurses and other persons who work hard to improve their country and people are to be highly esteemed. He noted that it is not the person’s “fame” but commitment to work and serve that matters.’
Commenting on what is the most significant thing he has done for children as the President of Guyana, Mr. Jagdeo noted that the answer is a combination of measures, but paramount is the debt relief secured.
According to the Head of State, his Administration has reduced the debt burden by half, as well as the debt servicing payment and this has allowed more money to be available for Government’s spending on social and economic services, which in the long run do make a better life for children.
The foreign debt in 1992 was 94 percent of the country’s revenue. Now it is about 40 per cent and hopefully with the early completion of the Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiative, it will be furthered reduced by another US$600M over the next 20 years.
“This means that every child born in Guyana at that time would have done so with a burden of repaying half a million dollars if you divide the debt by the population. This has been relieved. The future generation will not have to pay for the excesses of the previous generations,” the President noted.
He also noted the tremendous strides made in the area of maternal and child health with the infant mortality rate being significantly reduced and the vaccination programme upgraded.
Commenting on Government’s expenditure on children, the President noted that about 17 percent of the $72.9B or about $14.5B National Budget is being spent on education, the largest on any sector.
Erica asked the President what would happen to children when the Secondary Schools Entrance Examination cease to exists. In responding he noted that more children will have access to secondary education.
The idea behind the removal of the SSEE, he explained is to facilitate more of the country’s children. He said that in the past 35 per cent of the nation’s SSEE children were given a chance to have a secondary education because there was only place in the secondary schools for that number. This figure has moved to 65 per cent. The President said that a single exam should not determine the future of the children, as those who pass on the secondary schools are given a chance to qualify themselves further, either in the world of work or at another learning institution, such as the University. Students in Primary tops or Community High Schools are given a certificate, which cannot secure for them a place in the job market or the University of Guyana.
“The Government sees this as a waste of the nation’s precious resources-its children. So we are determined to move to universal secondary education. Everyone will now go to a Secondary School. That is why you do not need an exam to determine who goes and who doesn’t,” he said.
On a lighter note, the children questioned him about his dreams for Guyana.
“I would like to see a prosperous and united Guyana regardless of race or religion. I want a country, where when citizens retire, the pension will be sufficient and they would not live in poverty. I want a secured nation that doesn’t have to worry about high crime wave. But these are not easy things to accomplish,” the President said.
He noted that Guyana needs help locally and internationally to achieve these dreams.
Commenting on the Administration’s provisions for differently-abled children, the Head of State said his Government will strive to protect these and all children’s rights. This is the reason he said that the Constitutional Commission on the Rights of the Child was provided for. He also commended the work of NGOs in this sector.
“We have to work together to eliminate abuse. Too many of our children are still being abused, not only the differently-abled children and the schools, churches and Government have to play major roles in eliminating this,” he said.
He also noted that Government has invested significantly in facilities for students to have fun while they learn. One of is the famous President’s Youth Choice Initiative, which has seen about 300 projects being built countrywide at the request of youths. More than $800M has been spent on the Initiative so far.
The President also reiterated that his Government is willing to hear the voices of children and urged the Media to play a more consistent role in broadcasting children’s opinion on issues and giving them a chance to be heard.
To wrap up the interview the President commented on what it is like to be President of Guyana. He noted that the job is both hectic and challenging, but gives him an opportunity to serve his people and country.
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