BRIDGETOWN
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES
Bridgetown, Barbados
10 May 1997
PARTNERSHIP
FOR PROSPERITY AND SECURITY IN THE CARIBBEAN
We, the Heads of State and Government
of the Caribbean nations of Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth
of The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the Commonwealth of Dominica,
the Dominican Republic, Grenada, the Co-operative Republic of
Guyana, the Republic of Haiti, Jamaica, the Federation of St.
Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the
Grenadines, the Republic of Suriname and the Republic of Trinidad
& Tobago and of the United States of America, meeting in
Bridgetown, Barbados on May 10, 1997, pledge to strengthen our
co-operation in responding to the challenges of the coming
millennium, in a sprit of partnership and mutual respect.
2.……We affirm our unswerving commitment to the
norms of international law and the principles enshrined in the
Charter of the United Nations and in the Charter of the
Organisation of American States and our respect for the
sovereignty of states, multilateral approaches, democratic
traditions, human rights, good governance, human dignity and the
rule of law.
3. …..We recognise the heterogeneity and diversity
yet shared identity of our family of nations and people bonded by
historic and ethnic origins cultural ties and affinity and close
social and economic links. We remain appreciative of the
significant contribution of our respective nationals as immigrant
communities to the development of each other's societies.
4. ….. We also recognise the inextricable link
between trade economic development, security and prosperity in
our societies. We therefore declare our intentions to act in
concert to improve the economic well-being and security of all
our citizens, to defend and strengthen our democratic
institutions and to provide for social justice and stability.
5. …..As we enter a new century marked by rapid
expansion and globalisation of finance and investment, production
and commerce, driven by revolutionary developments in technology,
we acknowledge the need for a new era in our partnership. In this
context, we re-affirm our support for the Declaration of
Principles and Plan of Action adopted by the 1994 Summit of the
Americas in Miami. We recall that this process undertook to
consider the special needs of small economies, with a view to
enhancing their level of development and preparing them to meet
the challenges posed by the inexorable trends of globalisation
and liberalisation of the world economy, and the creation of the
Free Trade Area of the Americas. We note the increasing role of
the human, technological and communication capacities required
for operating in this new competitive international environment
and the current reality in most Caribbean States and accept the
need for systematic, co-operative initiatives to strengthen the
quality of their human resources and technological capacity.
6. …..Firm in our conviction that stable and
prosperous economies, buttressed by the rule of law, are
bulwarked against the forces of transnational crime, we are
concerned by the growing strength and capabilities of
transnational criminal organisations and drug cartels, their
attempts to distort and weaken our free economies and democratic
systems, and the effects which their activities and presence have
on levels of violence and basic public order. We declare out
resolve to collaborate in combating both organised transnational
crime and the threat posed to our peoples and the foundations of
our nations by illegal firearms and ammunition trafficking. We
are acutely concerned by the increasing incidence of alien
smuggling and commit ourselves to search for creative and
innovative ways to improve out justice systems and the
co-operation between them, in order to provide our societies with
that sense of security and stability so necessary to freely
pursue sustainable social and economic development.
7. …..We recognise that despite the substantial progress in dealing with debt problems, high foreign debt burdens still hinder the development of some of our countries. We therefore affirm the importance of appropriate debt management measures including those in the programmes of the International Financial Institutions.
8. …..We affirm our strong commitment to internationally recognised labour standards and worker rights, especially freedom of association and collective bargaining. We underscore the importance of the empowerment of women to permit their full participation in the political and economic spheres, through fair access to education, health care and credit and recognise that addressing and preventing violence against women is an important step toward our goal of strengthening democracy. Vibrant, sustainable and equitable development requires the contribution of all members of society.
9. …..To achieve these objectives and maintain our process of consultation, we agree that all Ministers/Secretaries of State of the nations of the Caribbean responsible for Foreign Affairs and the Secretary of State of the United States of America will meet to oversee and report to us on an annual basis on the implementation of the Plan of Action appended hereto. In addition, we hereby establish Joint Committees on Justice and Security and on Development, Finance and Environmental Issues, the later to work in close collaboration with the CARICOM/U.S. Trade and Investment Council, to facilitate an increasing and effective level of communication, co-ordination and follow-up among our Governments.
10. …Towards theses ends, we adopt and issue this Bridgetown
Deceleration of Principles, detailing our beliefs and
uniting our efforts to strengthen the ability of our States to
pursue sustainable development and to preserve our democracy,
peace, economic and social progress and to which we hereby affix
our signatures.
Signed by the following on behalf
of the governments of :
Antigua & Barbuda - Lester Bird (Prime Minister)
The Commonwealth of The Bahamas - Hubert Ingraham (Prime Minister)
Barbados - Owen Arthur (Prime Minister)
Belize - Dr Dean Barrow (Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Attorney General)
The Commonwealth of Dominica - Sir Edison James (Prime Minister)
The Dominican Republic - (Deputy President)
Grenada - Dr. Keith Mitchell (Prime Minister)
Guyana - Sam Hinds (Prime Minister)
The Republic of Haiti - René Préval (President)
Jamaica - Percival J. Patterson (Prime Minister)
The Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis - Dr Denzil Douglas (Prime Minister)
Saint Lucia
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sir James Mitchell (Prime Minister)
The Republic of Suriname Ronald Venetiaan (President)
The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Basdeo Panday (Prime Minister)
The United States of America William
Clinton (President)
PLAN OF
ACTION
I. TRADE , DEVELOPMENT,
FINANCE
AND THE ENVIRONMENT
II. JUSTICE AND
SECURITY
We the Heads of State and Government
participating in the 1997 Caribbean/United States Summit in
Bridgetown, Barbados committed to furthering
the objectives set out in the Bridgetown Declaration of
Principles, conscious of the importance of
the social and economic development of the Caribbean nations as
the foundation for peace, democracy, stability and well being of
the region, and mindful of the need for
specific measures to develop further the shared economic and
security interests between the Caribbean and the United States,
Adopt and Issue the
following Plan of Action which reflects our political and policy
decisions in order to give effect to the Summit dialogue which we
have just concluded:
I. Enhancement
of Trade and Investment
We affirm that strengthened trade and
investment ties between the United States and the Caribbean are
essential to promote the economic development and diversification
of the region and to improve the well-being of all our citizens.
We recognise the special challenges and opportunities we will
face in the highly globalised economy of the Twenty-First
Century. We are committed to work together to advance the
prosperity and economic security of the people of the Caribbean,
by facilitating expanded trade with the United States through
improved market access, increased investment in the Caribbean,
and availability of technology throughout the region.
We pledge to strengthen efforts to
implement sound market-oriented policies and open trade and
investment regimes, which are critical to attracting and
protecting long-term sustainable investment and to enhancing the
competitiveness of Caribbean products. …
We pledge to enhance Caribbean-U.S. trade relationship by:
1.1 ……Supporting the expeditious passage of
legislation by the United States, to confer CBI treatment on an
extended basis, to products of Caribbean origin which are
currently excluded;
1.2 ……working jointly towards the further reduction
of trade barriers between the United States and Caribbean
countries and endeavouring to refrain from introducing new import
restrictions, consistent with World Trade Organisation (WTO)
rules;
1.3 …..continuing to work with all concerned parties
to achieve mutually satisfactory marketing arrangements for
Caribbean bananas, recognising the critical importance to
Caribbean countries of the continued access of Caribbean bananas
to the traditional markets of the European Union;
1.4 …..finding, at the earliest opportunity, a
mechanism to facilitate rapid consultations on trade-related
issues;
1.6 …..developing within six months, a plan of action
for promoting bilateral trade particularly in the agricultural
and service sectors, recognising that trade prospects in these
sectors and their expansion and diversification are critical
components in achieving Caribbean economic security and
advancement. Furthermore, the United States will ensure the
provision of grant assistance to the Windward Islands in
developing and implementing a strategy to nurture the development
of Caribbean agribusiness;
1.7 …..a review, by the United States, of its
bilateral assistance to the OECS Region and the exploration of
measures to increase such assistance and to enhance its delivery
in targeted areas;
1.9 …..the provision of technical assistance to
Caribbean countries to support their economic diversification and
in particular, to assist the OECS countries in pooling their
resources in order to enhance the competitiveness of their
products;
1.10 ...facilitating the Caribbean's implementation of
its Uruguay Round commitments. In so doing the United States will
initiative a three-year grant agreement with Caribbean countries
to provide technical assistance for trade liberalisation and
trade and labour relations, with special assistance for the
Windward Islands; …
2. Free Trade
Area of the Americas (FTAA)
In keeping with the Declaration of
Principles of the Miami Summit, we recommit ourselves to work
towards the completion of the negotiations for the Free Trade
Area of the Americas by the year 2005. … we endorse the call
for the launching of the formal negotiations of the FTAA at the
Second Summit of the Americas in Chile, in March 1998. We
instruct our Trade Ministers to ensure that the necessary
preparatory work has been completed by that date.
We recognise that in our hemisphere,
the Caribbean is a region with the smallest and many vulnerable
economies, with a range of specific characteristics which could
affect their participation in the FTAA and their integration into
the international economy.
We therefore agree
to:
2.1 …..endorse the continued functioning of the FTAA Working Group on Smaller Economies;
2.2 …..endorse the recommendations of the Working Group on Smaller Economies to provide opportunities to facilitate the participation of the smaller economies during the negotiations and their effective integration in the FTAA, to make every effort to reduce the transitional costs and minimise dislocation to their economies during its implementation;
2.3 …..the need for technical assistance - as
recommended by the Working Group on Smaller Economies - to
strengthen Caribbean human, institutional and infrastructural
development necessary to assist in the adjustment process and to
enable them to participate meaningfully. In this regard, we urge
Caribbean countries to analyse their particular circumstances and
identify their specific technical assistance needs; …
3.
Telecommunications
We note that access to modern
telecommunications services is indispensable to the development
of international trade as well as to national and regional,
social and economic development and security. … We also note
that several national and multilateral initiatives are underway
to reform the international settlement regime and that the
Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union
(ITU) recently stated that there is an urgent need for action on
this issue. We further note that there is a large volume of
incoming calls emanating from citizens of Caribbean countries who
live abroad, mainly in the United States.
We reaffirm the telecommunications
commitments made in the Declaration and Plan of Action of the
Summit of the Americas and the Declaration and Plan of Action of
the Senior Telecommunications Officials of the Organisation of
American States (OAS). … we will endeavour to put in place
policies that foster a competitive market environment, which
encourages private investment in telecommunications
infrastructure and accelerates transition to the Global
Information Infrastructure. …
We therefore pledge
to:
3.1 …..encourage the development of efficient, cost effective and competition-enhancing telecommunications systems in the region;
3.2 …..assist the Caribbean countries in examining their telecommunications systems with a view to encouraging competition and exploiting investment opportunities …
3.3 …..give priority consideration to exploiting the new technologies in telecommunications … to expand access to information, facilitate easy access by educational and health institutions to the Global Information Infrastructure and increase the exchange of views on telecommunications issues;
3.4 …..maintain the multilateral consultative process during the revision of rules for accounting rates, taking into account the implications for Caribbean countries of any changes in those rates;
3.5 …..support programmes of the ITU and other
multilateral Agencies, such as the World Bank and the
Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), to provide governments
… with technical assistance on critical issues such as
monitoring and reviewing licensing terms, facilitating private
sector investment, establishing independent regulatory agencies
and developing interconnection, tariff rebalancing and universal
service policies; …
4. Economic
Development and Financial Flows
We share the common goal of achieving
stable, sustainable economic development and widespread
prosperity for all citizens in the region. We affirm the central
role of the private sector in realising theses goals. We also
affirm the importance of sound economic policies that provide the
environment for private sector-led growth, …
We recognise that expanded economic
ties with countries throughout the region are also vital for
fostering growth and prosperity, especially for the smaller
countries of the Caribbean region, …
The United States welcomes the
Caribbean commitment to the process of regional integration.
… We encourage the International Financial Institutions to
strengthen and expand existing programmes to better advance
theses important objectives.
We welcome the commitment of the
United Sates to assist Caribbean nations in their economic
reforms by: …
4.2 …..continuing regional programmes in the Eastern
Caribbean that focus on environmental concerns, disaster
preparedness and the expansion of trade;
4.3 …..maintaining significant programmes in Haiti
and making every effort to protect Jamaica and Guyana;
4.4 …..exploring mechanisms to promote private sector
development;
4.5 …..finding institutional mechanisms, …, to
encourage dialogue between the Caribbean and the U.S. private
sectors;
4.6 …..exploring ways by which current bilateral and
multilateral debt management programmes can support adjustment
efforts in highly-indebted countries;
4.7 …..exploring the possibility of increasing technical co-operation in the areas of:
(a) strengthening and modernising legal and supervisory systems … to bolster savers' confidence and to strengthen financial systems; and
(b) improved investor education by
drawing on the expertise and experience of … the United
States;
4.8 …..accepting the pledge of the United States to
expand its regional co-operation programmes in the Eastern
Caribbean, to include a focus on education and micro-enterprise;
and
4.9 …..joining in the call to the IDB to meet its
commitment under the eight replenishment, to target 35 per cent
of Bank lending to smaller economies, including those in the
Caribbean.
5. Disaster
Preparedness and Response
We recognise that the Caribbean
region is vulnerable to several forms of natural disasters
including hurricanes, volcanoes, earthquakes and flooding. …
We also recognise the important role
of preparedness and mitigation in reducing the vulnerability of
our states to such disasters. We pledge to continue to
co-ordinate our efforts and improve our ability to detect,
monitor and respond to natural disasters. We affirm the priority
of investment in planning, preparedness and mitigation
initiatives, to strengthen the capacity of countries in the
region to protect themselves …
We therefore agree
that:
5.1 …..the United States will continue to assist,
whenever possible, in the provision of logistical support in
disaster response, including search and rescue and the supply of
humanitarian assistance;
5.4 …..the United States will provide technical
assistance to support the building of a regional capacity for
conducting natural hazard assessments …
5.5 …..the United States will assist the Caribbean in
exploring the availability and means of accessing disaster
assistance programmes currently available in the World Bank and
IDB;
5.7 …..the United States and Caribbean agencies will
cooperate to develop and promote common search and rescue
protocols to govern medical evacuations, support logistics for
humanitarian supplies, and overflight in search for survivors and
survey damage;
5.9 …..we will continue efforts to maintain the
Cooperative Hurricane Upper-Air Network; and
5.10 ….the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) will
collaborate in defining further areas of technical co-operation.
6. Aviation
We recognise the importance of air
transport to the Caribbean region, both as a means of linking the
various countries, as well as an essential component for
supporting the vital tourism industry. We not that Caribbean
Governments and the Government of the United States continue to
emphasise the need for the safe and orderly development of civil
aviation. We further note the process of privatisation of air
carriers underway in the Caribbean. …
7. Educational
Cooperation
We recognise the critical
contribution made by education and training to economic growth,
to the improved standard of living and the reduction of poverty
of our peoples. We also recognise that development of human
resources is both a cause and effect of economic development
…
We therefore agree
to:
7.1 …..develop arrangements for appropriate joint
action between the universities in the Caribbean and universities
and advanced research and specialised institutions in the United
States, particularly in such areas as science and technology and
informatics and key economic and management fields; …
8. Sustainable
Development
We recognise that the Caribbean
… is extremely dependent on the marine and coastal
environment. … The Caribbean possesses many of the world's
oldest know genetic species of marine and terrestrial
biodiversity of significant scientific and commercial value.
We also recognise that the major
economic activities of the Caribbean - tourism (land-based and
cruise), agriculture, mining (petroleum, bauxite, gold and other
minerals), fishing and forestry - are extremely dependent on a
sound environment The sustainability of these economic activities
and their continued contribution to the development of the
Caribbean, is inextricably linked to the preservation of the
environment. …
Recognising the importance of a
health environment to our countries, we agree that theses threats
can only be attenuated by global, hemispheric, bilateral
co-operation and national action and commit ourselves to work at
all levels, towards making the Caribbean environment more secure.
We therefore agree:
8.1 …..to implement the relevant provisions of the
1994 Barbados Declaration and Plan of Action on the Sustainable
Development of Small Island Developing States, the 1994
Declaration and Plan of Action of the Summit of the Americas, the
United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Conference to
develop a Global Programme for the Protection of the Marine
Environment from Land Based Activities, and the 1996 Bolivia
Declaration and Plan of Action on Sustainable Development in the
Hemisphere. Institutions in the Caribbean and the United States
… will develop a collaborative programme to advance the work
in the critical areas identified in these Declarations and Plans
of Action;
8.2 …..to enable governmental agencies to access and
build upon the best information available by exploring the use of
the latest information technology to create a virtual Caribbean
Centre for Environment and Development. …
8.3 …..to collaborate in the development and implementation of:
(a) a fisheries protection management plan to ensure a sustained supply of regional fish stocks; and
(b) conservation measures …
8.6 …..that the United States will assist the
Caribbean in its efforts to access resources from the Global
Environment Facility (GEF) … in order to facilitate the
strengthening of the human resource capacity of the Caribbean, in
the area of environmental protection;
8.9 …..to work towards the implementation of the
International Coral Reef Initiative Framework for Action and the
Tropical Americas Regional Action Plan, … and exploring the
establishment of a regional node for the Global Coral Reef
Monitoring Network;
8.10 ….to improve management and disposal of solid
and liquid waste … and to strengthen existing national and
regional plans to combat oil pollution; and
8.11 ….to welcome the implementation by the United
States, of the Caribbean Clean Energy Initiative.
II. JUSTICE AND
SECURITY
1. Reduction of
Crime and Violence
We recognise that crime within
national borders and organised transnational crime threaten
democratic institutions, undermine economic development, engender
assaults on health, safety and security and continue adversely to
effect the welfare of the peoples of the United States and the
Caribbean. We also recognise that there are limitations in the
laws and the law enforcement agencies of the Caribbean region. We
pledge to collaborate in modernising crime control laws,
strengthening the institutional capacities of these agencies
through technical assistance, resource strengthening and
multi-agency collaboration.
We therefore agree:
…
1.4 …..to promote multi-agency collaboration,
nationally and regionally, to enhance the intelligence capability
of Caribbean law enforcement agencies;
1.6 …..that the United States will continue to
provide technical assistance and training in crime prevention and
reduction strategies and techniques;
1.7 …..that the United States will contribute to a
United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP)
regional legal reform assistance project which is designed to
assist Caribbean countries in the development of drug control
laws, in accordance with the standards and criteria set by the
United Nations Conventions;
2. Arms
Trafficking Control Regime for the Caribbean
We acknowledge the threat posed by
illegal trafficking in arms, ammunition, and other similar
materials to the moral fabric of our societies and the well being
of our peoples, as well as the social, economic, cultural, and
political foundations of our respective countries. …
We are determined to rid the
Caribbean region of the scourge of this traffic by adopting
strategies and measures which have the highest possible legal
status and enforceability. Additionally, we pledge to work within
existing regional and international organisations to combat the
illegal traffic in firearms, ammunition and other similar
materials. …
We pledge to cooperate
in:
2.1 …..improving the mechanisms for the exchange of
information and intelligence on a regular basis by means of
appropriate international communications systems;
Negotiation of an International
Agreement
We recognise that the conclusion of
an instrument establishing enforceable rights and obligations is
an effective tool in the fight against illicit traffic in arms,
ammunition, explosives and other similar materials and, to this
end, we commit ourselves to work towards the early adoption of an
international agreement against the illicit manufacturing and
trafficking in arms, ammunition, explosives and other similar
materials.
3. Illicit
Drugs: Reduction, Education, Rehabilitation and Education
We recognise the threat to
hemispheric values caused by the traffic in and use of illicit
substances and the compelling need to give the highest priority
and importance to primary drug abuse prevention programmes,
particularly those directed to the youth of our respective
societies.
We also acknowledge that the need to
reduce both demand and supply should be addressed within the
framework of a comprehensive, balanced and integrated strategy.
We are determined to devise, develop
and evaluate a comprehensive multilateral strategy, within the
context of the principle of joint hemispheric consultation and
determination issues of regional importance, indelibly inscribed
in hemispheric relations through the Summit of the Americas
process launched by the Plan of Action in December 1994.
We therefore agree
that:
3.1 …..the United States will cooperate with other donors in -
(a) the provision of necessary assistance and training to Caribbean States for the development and promotion of demand reduction programmes; and
(b) seeking means to develop and
implement viable alternative occupational activities;
3.4 …..in addition to its assistance to Caribbean
States, the United States will engage in a US$ 5.5 billion demand
reduction campaign within its own borders; …
4. Strengthening
Criminal Justice Systems
We believe that for democracies to
provide justice and security for their peoples, they must have
independent, effective and efficient criminal justice systems.
…
The United States reaffirms its
commitment to continue to provide assistance in respect of the
following:
4.1 …..a second phase of the UNDCP regional legal
reform assistance project designed to train personnel in the
prosecution and adjudication of drug, money laundering, and asset
forfeiture cases;
4.2 …..modernisation of the judicial, law enforcement
and penal systems of Caribbean States through the provision of
equipment and training; …
5. Combating
Attempts to Corrupt Officials
We are aware that the vast wealth of
international criminal organisations may be used to corrupt
public officials. We are determined to detect and punish such
corruption in our own States. …
6. Combating
Money Laundering
We recognise that money laundering
permits drug trafficking and other criminal organisations to
perpetuate their criminal activity.
Money Laundering is an extremely
corrosive force. It undermines the integrity of financial
institutions. It corrupts officials and threatens political
stability. It can distort economies, skew currency markets and
create unfair advantages over legitimate enterprises.
We agree to continue working together
to strengthen national, regional and international action against
money laundering and we express our support for Caribbean
Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) - sponsored regional
anti-money laundering training initiatives.
We therefore agree:
6.1 …..to implement the 1988 United Nations
Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotrophic Substances;
6.1 …..to endeavour to adopt the international
standards to combat money laundering set forth in the
Recommendations of the CFATF, the Financial Action Task Force
(FATF), the OAS/CICAD Model Regulations and the Communiqué from
the Summit of the Americas Ministerial Meeting on Money
Laundering; and …
7. Criminal
Justice Protection Programme
In order to meet the rising threat to
the criminal justice systems in Caribbean States in the form of
the intimidation and elimination of witnesses, jurors, judicial
and law enforcement personnel and their families, we agree:
7.1 …..to continue to work together towards the
establishment of a Criminal Justice Protection Programme that
would facilitate co-operation in the confidential protection of
witnesses, jurors, judicial and law enforcement personnel and
their families; …
7.3 …..to work with other nations and with regional
organisations, including CICAD and UNDCP, to co-ordinate training
and technical assistance efforts in this area.
8. Strengthening
Regional Security Forces
Combined and
Co-operative Interdiction Efforts
Collecting,
Analysing and Sharing Information
We recognise the need for greater
co-operation of security forces in the region to deal with
illicit drug trafficking, alien smuggling, illegal trafficking in
arms and threats to stability. We agree that no single nation has
the ability to deal effectively with the threats to the security
of the region, and that co-ordination, co-operation, and combined
operations are necessary. …
To this end:
8.1 …..Caribbean States, through the Caribbean
Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, will work towards the conclusion
of regional agreements in specified areas of mutual interest,
including extradition and mutual legal assistance in criminal
matters;
8.2 …..we agree to work together to enhance maritime
interdiction, through appropriate agreements and related
assistance. In this regard, the United States undertakes to
continue to provide assistance to the Caribbean States to
strengthen operational capacities, and to seek legislative
authority for an expanded effort; …
8.5 …..the United States pledges to cooperate with
other donors and Caribbean States in the establishment of
national and regional computerised databases on all vessels
transiting the seas of the region and Caribbean States will share
such information with the United States; and
8.6 ……the Joint Committee on Justice and Security is
instructed to access the feasibility of providing to Caribbean
States, additional equipment and support for the Caribbean States
in carrying out regional maritime law enforcement.
In respect of port control and
security: …
8.8 …..the United States pledges to work with Caribbean States to provide advice, technical assistance and training in -
(a) maintaining secure factories;
(b) developing adequate controls over packing and shipping processes; and
(c ) combatting customs-related
corruption.
9. Alien
Smuggling and Deportation of Criminals
Alien Smuggling
We recognise the right of each State
to determine its own policies on immigration, consistent with
international obligations such as the United Nations Convention
on Refugees and understand that the ability of governments to
permit legal immigration is eroded by illegal migration. …
We will cooperate to end this
criminal practice and to bring the perpetrators to justice.
…
Deportation of Criminals
We recognise the right of each State
to determine its policies on deportation subject to international
law, and agree to:
9.3 …..provide adequate advance notice to designated
authorities prior to a criminal's deportation;
9.4 …..provide appropriate information regarding the
persons to be deported;
9.5 …..establish, prior to the deportation, that the
deportee is a national of the receiving State;
9.6 …..hold consultations on other issues associated
with deportation; and work to improve arrangements by which the
deportee has access to his or her assets located in the deporting
State.
We note that the United States
intends to offer technical assistance in establishing parole and
monitoring systems.