CARICOM connections.

• Position: Caribbean Community conference

The first general meeting of the OAS and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) took place at CARICOM headquarters in Georgetown, Guyana, March 22-23. OAS Assistant Secretary General, Ambassador Christopher R. Thomas, delivered the opening remarks, stating that "this meeting represents a historical high point in the process of increasing OAS-CARICOM collaboration."

Ambassador Thomas remarked that "CARICOM is one of the most cohesive regional associations among the various groups that comprise the inter-American system.... The presence of the CARICOM member states in the Organization has resulted in universalizing the membership of the Organization in an effective outreach of hemispheric political solidarity."

The meeting, which included representatives of specialized agencies of the two organizations, examined mechanisms for collaboration in the areas of drug abuse control; disaster mitigation; tourism and trade; health; and education, science, and culture. Representatives also discussed strategies for the development of Haiti, with the two agencies...