Dear readers,

This morning, Wednesday, there was the understated opening of the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting at the Trinidad Hilton and Conference centre and immediately, all Ministers went into closed door deliberations. I was advised that on the agenda is the critical issues of climate change and the economy and Ministers were said to be is serious discussion on the Harare declaration and an appraisal of its implementation. There were no Media facilities and the planned media brief scheduled for 11am this morning was cancelled. I have been informed by the Commonwealth secretariat, that a press brief will be scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday.

Thursday, however, is a very busy day. There will be arrivals from all over the Commonwealth and at 3pm an official ceremony to welcome the Head of the Commonwealth and Queen of England, Elizabeth 11.Following a presidential salute at the airport, Her Majesty and H.R.H prince Phillip, will make their make into town where they will lay a wreath at the cenotaph at Memorial park. At 7 25pm, that evening a state banquet hosted by their excellencies, Professor George Maxwell Richards and Dr Jean Ramjohn -Richards will be held.

H.R.H Prince Phillip is expected to meet with ex-servicemen at Knowsley, Ministry of Foreign affairs, on Friday. Her majesty, the Queen’s meantime will address heads at the N.A.P.A for the opening of the 21st meeting of the heads of government .

I will keep you appraised as best I can during the CHOGM activities.

Closing news suggest that the CHOGM features environmentally friendly vehicles to transport patrons from the ships to events and must effort has been put into ensuring , as far as possible that CHOGM, is green and utilizing all possible resources to be environmentally responsible.

Best regards

Dennis Mc Comie