President Bharrat Jagdeo of Guyana (left) at the Executive Session of the Heads Meeting in Malta View photo »

President of Guyana H.E. Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo on Friday during the Executive Session of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting mounted a successful challenge to a decision to issue the Communiqué before discussions are held on the important issue of trade.

According to a revised format of the Commonwealth Heads Meeting, heads would have been required to review the draft Communiqué prepared by Foreign Ministers and then release it to the public before entering into the Retreat Sessions where discussions are expected to take place on a number of important issues including trade.

President Jagdeo opposed such a move noting that considering the recent decision of the European which would result in Guyana loosing over US $35 million dollars in revenue, discussions must first take place in order for the decisions of heads to be reflected in the Communiqué. He said that it was against all international practices for the Communiqué to be issued at the beginning of a meeting before any discussions take place and more so considering that there are persons at the meeting who can explain the recent action of the European Union on sugar.

The EU in Brussels on Thursday approved a 36% slash in the price paid to European beet sugar and African, Caribbean and Pacific cane sugar producers. The decision means that Guyana, one of the largest producers of sugar in the Caribbean would receive for its sugar a reduction in price from the current value of 523.7 million Euros per tonne to 335 Euros per tonne by the 2009/2010 marketing year. This amounts to an annual loss of US$37 million from then onwards. The phased cuts are to start next year with 5%

President Jagdeo was supported by St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas who outlined that it is unacceptable and he strongly oppose any decision to release the Communiqué on the first day of the meeting. He noted that too many important matters needed to be addressed for this to be done.

Support also came from the Prime Ministers of Grenada, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda and Barbados, a number of African countries and Australia who all agreed that the Communiqué should be issued at the conclusion of the Meeting on Sunday.

A number of developed countries had recommended that the Communiqué should be issued on the first day as was reflected on the agenda of the Executive Session and that any discussions on the important issue of trade will be reflected in a declaration at the end of the Meeting.

Prime Minister Spencer noted that he is at a lost as to the need to rush the Communiqué through before meaningful discussions outlining that the issues of trade and other matters relating to small states must be addressed and reflected in the Meeting's final document on outcomes and actions required.

The Chairman of the Meeting, the President of Malta following near to an hour's discussion on the issue ruled that the communiqué should be issued at the conclusion of the Meeting. (Ends)

Digital photos by Maurice F. Merchant