by staff writer
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Nov 15, CMC – The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) says it is saddened at the deaths of two regional politicians this week, including the former premier of the British Virgin Islands (BVI), Ralph Telford O’Neal.
O’Neal, the longest-serving elected representative in BVI history, died on Monday at the age of 85, while former Suriname government minister, Winston Lackin, 64, also died on Monday.
“Mr. O’Neal’s long and invaluable service to the territory was highlighted by his becoming its first Premier when the constitution was amended in 2007,” CARICOM Secretary-General Irwin LaRocque said in a message of condolence to BVI Premier Andrew Fahie.
LaRocque said that “the depth of respect that Mr. O’Neal earned was evidenced by the praises showered on him by all sides of the political divide when he became the first member of the House of Assembly in recent Virgin Islands history to have been bestowed with the title of Member Emeritus.
“The contribution to his beloved BVI spanned much more than politics as he was involved in business, sport and virtually all aspects of the life of the territory,” La Rocque said, adding “his, was a voice that was also heard in support of regional integration, both at the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States and CARICOM”,.
The Secretary-General said Lackin, who served as foreign minister from 2010-15, had an “energy and vibrant personality (that0 were continuously evident in the Councils of the Community during his tenure.
“His commitment to CARICOM and determination to ensure Suriname’s prominent role in advancing the goals of the integration process were a feature of his contributions to the discussions. His contributions were always underpinned by a full command of the issues at hand,” La Rocque said in a message to President Desi Bouterse.
He said those characteristics were also evident in Lackin’s role as Ambassador for the Environment, highlighted by his organization of a major international conference on climate financing for High Forest Cover and Low Deforestation (HFLD) countries in Suriname last February.
