Caribbean Report 29-06-1995

Abstract

In this report: Suriname has become the first non-English speaking country to be made a full member of CARICOM. Economists Frank Rampersad and Anthony Gonzales comment on CARICOM's future direction. In St. Kitts/Nevis, the ruling People's Action Movement (PAM), is contesting the latest opinion poll which predicts a win in the general elections for the Opposition Labour Party. The pollster Dr. Pat Emmanuel comments that his procedure is no different from other successful polls conducted in the region. In Jamaica, the group of twelve Western dissidents indicated it was taking legal action to prevent moves by the party leadership to discipline them. As Bermuda takes a critical look at independence, the British dependent territories in the Caribbean do not appear keen on pursuing independence. In Montserrat the independence topic is not an immediate priority as Chief Minister Reuben Meade plans to establish a timetable by 2000. The University of the West Indies and North London University enter into a memorandum of cooperation that will facilitate student exchanges between them.