Saturday, February 12, 2011

CARICOM welcomes regime change in Egypt

The Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has welcomed the peaceful transition of power in Egypt describing the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak as “a momentous occasion”.

Prime Minister Tillman Thomas of Grenada said, “I think it is a transition that we all be supportive off because they have a situation where the people are calling for more democratic rights and you have the military actually cooperating with the transition.”

Thomas told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) the resignation “should send a message to the world that the time has come for autocratic to be out of office .

“The world is becoming more of a global village with the advent of the Internet and communication, people are seeing what is happening and it is difficult to suppress people’s rights permanently as it has been done in the past.

“So it is really a victory for democracy and the democratic forces and i expect all those who support democracy and democratic institutions to give whatever aid and assistance to help Egypt build a broad based democracy,” he added.

Mubarak, who has been in office for more than three decades, stepped down after three weeks of demonstrations by various groups calling for more openness, transparency and the lifting of undemocratic measures in the North African country.

“It is certainly natural for people to be open to be free, it is in man’s nature to live in an atmosphere where he is free to express his or her views and elect whoever that they want to represent them.

“There may be some initial problem like any change in situation but if you look at the development of civil society it is natural for people to want to live in an environment where they could elect their representative or where they have freedom of expression, freedom to associate, a trade union, a free press, democratic elections, everybody welcomes this,” he added.

Thomas said that it is likely that the matter would be further discussed at the CARICOM Inter-sessional summit that will be held here February 25-26. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is scheduled to attend the meeting.
(CMC)

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Jai & Sero

Jai & Sero

Our family at home in Toronto 2008

Our family at home in Toronto 2008
Amit, Heather, Fuzz, Aj, Jiv, Shiva, Rampa, Sero, Jai