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ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL TO ATTEND CARICOM SUMMIT IN ANTIGUA; ALSO TO LEAD OBSERVATION MISSION FOR GRENADA’S JULY 8 ELECTIONS

  June 30, 2008

Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin leaves Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, headed to Antigua and Barbuda to represent the Organization of American States (OEA) at this week’s summit of the heads of government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

The Assistant Secretary General will join Secretary General José Miguel Insulza, who is already in Antigua. They will attend the 29th annual conference of heads of government of CARICOM, which opens Tuesday and runs until July 4. The Caribbean leaders are scheduled to consider a packed agenda that includes the region’s response to the food security question, soaring energy prices, the climate change challenge, tourism and the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

Ambassador Ramdin noted that the upcoming meeting of CARICOM leaders is also important as it marks the 35th anniversary of the Caribbean Community.

On Thursday, the OAS Assistant Secretary General leaves for Grenada, where he will head up the hemispheric organization’s electoral observation mission that will monitor the process culminating in the July 8 general elections.

Upon arrival in Grenada, Ramdin will observe the voting of the police on July 4, and will meet with a cross section of interests, including the leaders of the ruling New National Party (NNP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) as well as with the Commissioner of Police, the churches and civil society, among others.

Ramdin renewed the call for all Grenadians to exercise their right to vote in an orderly, normal atmosphere, as they look toward the future of their country, in unity.

Reference: E-257/08