European Commission Counsellor bids farewell

THE EUROPEAN Commission and friends of that organisation gathered at Hyperion Avenue in Jacks Hill to bid farewell to Francisco Carreras, Counsellor (Economic Affairs) and to welcome Luigi Brusa First Secretary (Technical Affairs), his wife Anne, and Adebayo Babajide, First Secretary (Economic Affairs), last Thursday. Head of Delegation of the European Commission, Gerd Jarchow headed the receiving line where guests said their good-byes and gave their welcome.

The invitation said casual, and so, the move followed suit. Guests milled around in little groups and chatted, some stopping with Mr. Carreras and speaking at length. Mr. Carreras has been in Jamaica since December 1997. He will leave for Maputo,

Mozambique, at the end of the month. "I've been extremely happy, my family and myself," he told The Gleaner following the reception. His youngest son spent the first four years of life in Jamaica. He came here when he was about a month old.

"I'll miss the people. Despite what I heard before coming here, I have only good experiences in Jamaica." He went on to give an example: "Once my boat engine failed and I was stranded with my kids miles away from Kingston. The fishermen found us by lanterns and towed us back to the harbour about 12:00 midnight. I will never forget that because when I offered them money they flatly refused." He said if he had the choice he would stay.

While staying here, Mr. Carreras enjoyed his visits to the quays. "I like fishing and trekking in the mountains," he said. He said he belonged to a group of friends who run for pleasure. Once they ran from Kingston to Port Antonio in a relay. He ran 25 miles.

He said he has given as many tips as he can to his successor, Mr. Babajide. "We are overlapping for a few weeks and I recommended quite a few places to him."

Among the people he will miss are the professionals in the financial sector. His parting words: "Jamaica move forward, deserve it."

Present at the event were: Venezuelan Ambassador, Rocio Maneira; Colombian Ambassador, Alfonso Munera; Chilean Ambassador, Fernando Pardo; French Ambassador, Pierre Antoine Berniard; Antony Chang; Thalia Lyn; Dominique Rae; Anne Rae; Joanne McGuire; Rafael de Gorgolas; Pierre Petit and Bryon Buckley.

Sonia Morgan

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