CARRINGTON. the very first thing that is of importance is the nature and regard for our community and you cannot compromise on that principle

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) - The Caribbean has indefinitely postponed a meeting of its national security ministers with US homeland security secretary, Tom Ridge, because of major differences over Haiti, officials said yesterday.

Caribbean Community secretary-general, Edwin Carrington, said the May 3-4 meeting in the Bahamas will not take place because the 15-member regional bloc does not recognise the new US-backed Haitian interim government.

Cooperation against terrorism was a major issue to be discussed at the May 3 meeting in the Bahamas.

"I agree that security is very important to all of us but I think that the very first thing that is of importance is the nature and regard for our community and you cannot compromise on that principle," Carrington said in AFP reports.

Caricom has called for a UN investigation of Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's controversial departure from Haiti on February 29. Aristide says he was forced to resign by the United States, which denies the claim.

The US administration has insisted that Haiti - a member of the community - sit at the Bahamas meeting, Carrington said.

Trinidad Prime Minister Patrick Manning was scheduled to lead the Caribbean delegation at the Bahamas meeting, which was to focus on a joint effort in combating terrorism.

A second meeting of US and Caribbean security officials, planned for Thursday and Friday in St Vincent and the Grenadines, will also be cancelled, Carrington said. Ridge was not scheduled to attend the St Vincent meeting.
It was not clear if the meetings would be rescheduled.

Caricom has said it would reconsider the issue of recognising Haiti's interim government in July. But Caribbean leaders may discuss the issue earlier at a regional meeting from May 4-5 in Antigua, Jamaica's foreign minister, K D Knight said yesterday.

Haiti's interim government, headed by Prime Minister Gerard Latortue, will be in place until next year when general elections are held. No one in the interim government will be allowed to participate in the elected government.

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