REGIONAL HEADS IN MEET AND GREET

THREE REGIONAL leaders were among guests of honour at a reception
hosted by United States Ambassador Mary Ourisman on Thursday night.

St Lucia Prime Minister Stephenson King, Roosevelt Skerrit of
Dominica and Keith Mitchell of Grenada were among dignitaries
mingling at Ourisman's residence.

Also in the midst was the United States Assistant Secretary of State
Tom Shannon, who had a follow-up meeting to the one which Prime
Minister David Thompson attended in Washington last week with United
States President George Bush and Secretary of State Condeleezza Rice.

Shannon said he appreciated the hospitality and was grateful for the
opportunity to meet with the heads to hear their ideas, and to see
how the United States and the Caribbean could work together.

Prime Ministers Skerrit and King said one of the issues coming out of
discussions with Shannon, was a commitment to finding a way to fight
drug trafficking and crime in the region.

"I indicated to Shannon that while we appreciate the assistance in
training and other areas, the sharing of intelligence and of course
the acquisition of assets are two very important areas where the
United States can assist the Caribbean region to fight the increase
of incidents of drug trafficking and crime in the region.

" . . . . They have given us some assurances that they will certainly
seek to increase their assistance in the area of intelligence
sharing, and of course the acquisition of assets to help us fight
crime in the region," Skerrit stated.

King said it was a "very interesting meeting" and he was pleased to
attend.

Also mingling among the guests were Opposition Leader Mia Mottley,
Minister of Trade George Hutson and Minister of State in the Ministry
of Social Care Patrick Todd. (YB)