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Courtesy of CARICOM
Group photo of CARICOM Heads and U.S. President George W. Bush |
Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and his delegation returned from Washington on the 21st June where the delegation took part in the three-day CARICOM/United States Conference on the Caribbean.
In Washington, the Prime Minister and other colleague Heads of CARICOM governments took part in a two-hour meeting with U.S President George Bush at the U.S. State Department.
The exchange of views at the Summit included discussions on immigration, trade, drugs and small arms trafficking, the Caribbean Basin Initiative as well health initiatives regarding the spread of HIV and AIDS and cooperation on education and training.
Meetings were also held with the U.S House Ways and Means Committee chaired by Congressman Charles Rangle and the Congressional Black Caucus, chaired by Congresswoman Carolyn Kilpatrick.
Following Wednesday’s Summit, Prime Minister Ingraham took part in separate bilateral meetings with Senators Mel Martinez and Bill Nelson, members of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
The planned removal of OPBAT helicopters from Exuma and the impact if the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative on The Bahamas’ tourism industry were discussed during these meetings.
During the CARICOM/United States Conference, concerns were discussed on the part of some Caribbean territories regarding the deportation from the United States of convicted felons.
Support for Haiti and its capacity building also drew the focus of the United States and CARICOM. Great emphasis was also placed on the importance of security in the region.
Meetings held between the United States and CARICOM partners proved successful and set the stage for positive advancement and enhancement of relations.
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