Patterson, Robertson and Hylton By Donna Ortega,
News Editor
PRIME MINISTER P.J. Patterson left the island yesterday as head of delegation to the Third Summit of the Americas in Quebec City, Canada.
Before meeting with his counterparts from the 33 other democratically-elected governments in the hemisphere, from April 20-22, Mr. Patterson will participate in a live-and-direct forum today with Jamaicans resident in Toronto.
It was not clear who would comprise the team representing Jamaica at the Summit but the delegation is expected to include Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Paul Robertson, Minister of Foreign Trade, Mr. Anthony Hylton and communication adviser Mr. Ralston Smith.
Jamaica is expected to give a country report and to make a brief intervention at the Summit in a review and follow-up to the last Summit. "Hopefully this will pave the way for implementation (of Summit mandates) by 2005," Mr. Smith told The Gleaner last week.
At the 2001 Summit, leaders will address common hemispheric challenges, including economic integration, improved access to education, poverty alleviation, enhanced respect for human rights and democratic development. Canada was chosen to host the Summit at the 1998 Summit of the Americas in Santiago, Chile.
When he announced the location for the 2001 Summit, Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien stated that: "The city of Quebec provides an excellent venue to showcase Canada's distinctive heritage, diversity and dynamism to our neighbours and friends in the hemisphere, and the world over."
The Canadian Prime Minister will lead his country's delegation, together with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of International Trade, and other elected representatives and their official counterparts.
Canada has called in their High Commissioners to attend the Summit, and High Commissioner to Jamaica John Robinson and Robert Richard, political/economic counsellor of the High Commission, have already left the island for this purpose.
Hemispheric leaders committed to making priorities of civil society, in general, and the concerns of the region's indigenous peoples, in particular. Canada also offered to convene a Foreign Ministers' Dialogue on Drugs in the Americas to respond to the threat of illegal drugs undermining the democratic progress in the region.
The Canadian government is picking up the tab for all expenses incurred for the Summit of the Americas. This includes the costs related to the organisation, official functions, security, as well as the transportation and lodging expenses for the Heads of State and Government and three other persons accompanying them. The participating countries are responsible for all other costs related to their participation in the Summit.
Security remains a concern, based on the events of previous international meetings such as the World Trade Organisation in Seattle. The Canadian government has taken steps to have security measures substantially increased to ensure safety not only for the participants and visitors, but also for the local population and property.
According to information available on the Summit's web site, there will be controlled access to the security perimeter set up in Quebec City during certain hours for the duration of the Summit. Access to the perimeter will require an accreditation badge or a pass, in the case of the residents and workers of the area. It is estimated that more than 43,000 accreditations or passes will be issued.
Working sessions are strictly reserved for the Heads of State and their immediate associates. There are no public events on the agenda of this Summit, which will not last more than thirty hours. There is, however, a series of public events organised in Quebec City. These are for the most part, cultural events that include exhibitions, shows and seminars.
