Port of Spain, Trinidad:---- During a busy second day in Trinidad Minister Duncan met with the ECLAC (Economic Commission for Latin America & the Caribbean), the ACS (Association of Caribbean States), and the ILO (International Labor Organization).
Yesterday Minister Duncan was warmly received by the technical staff of the ECLAC, the coordinator of statistical and social development Mr. S. Roberts and the coordinator of program support Mr. S. Dookie.
Staff members showed great interest in the constitutional process of the Netherlands Antilles, questioned whether the Antillean flag would be replaced, and inquired how the dismantling would affect each island. During the meeting, it was established that ECLAC is prepared to assist with technical support and seeks to make this proposal available to the individual islands.
Mr. Luis Fernando Andrade Falla, Secretary General of the ACS welcomed the Minister and his delegation and strongly encouraged the Minister to suggest that the islands use the ACS platform to strengthen cooperation in the region in various areas such as aviation. The multilingual culture of the Netherlands Antilles is an asset and particularly Spanish is a very important link to Central and South America. The Secretary General went on to say that, he viewed Minister Duncan’s trip as a positive step in the process of ensuring the strengthening and broadening of the relationship with the new countries.
Minister Duncan concluded his eventful day with a meeting with the ILO where he spoke with the Director Dr. Ana Teresa Romero, and other specialists in the field of HIV/AIDS, Social Dialogue and Labor Administration programs. During this visit, Minister Duncan was honored to receive the first HIV/AIDS awareness poster in Dutch. The ILO encouraged the Netherlands Antilles to make the most of its membership by utilizing the expertise of the organization when putting together the governmental structures in the new countries.
Brief presentations were made at the three organizations on the process of the political structure in the Antilles and Duncan stressed the desire of Curacao and St. Maarten to continue and strengthen where necessary the existing ties with these organizations. The members of all three organizations were interested in the constitutional process especially as it relates to future participation of the new countries.
The Minister responded to several questions posed by the ILO concerning the schedule implementation of the constitutional changes and the expected impact these changes would have on government organizations and workers.
During these meetings, Minister Duncan was assisted by the Mrs. Louise De Bode-Olton, representative of the Netherlands Antilles at the Dutch embassy in Trinidad and Ms. Ivy Lo Tam Soen acting director of Administrative and Constitutional Affairs.
For more information please contact Ms. Ari Sutton at the Ministry of Constitutional and Home Affairs at Brooks Towers, Phone 542-9081.