JAN 10

Prime Minister Keith Mitchell has expressed sadness over the sudden passing, on Tuesday of Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica Pierre Charles.

Dr. Mitchell said that Mr. Charles was a valiant friend of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and a committed and patriotic exponent of Regional Integration "I must express the fact that we are deeply shocked at the untimely passing of Prime Minister Pierre Charles of Dominica. It is very rare in one's life that you would find a situation within the space of two years that two Prime Ministers from one particular country die suddenly in Office", he said. The Prime Minister also commented on the passing of Prime Minister Charles, in the context of the integration movement.

"Every time you have the untimely passing of somebody in a strategic position, particularly as it relates to the success, in this case, of the Regional Integration movement, certainly it does affect it somewhat.

But I have always held the view that the Regional Integration movement is not about any particular individual. It is something that all of us must do.

It is my belief that who ever takes over the Office of Prime Minister of Dominica, will continue the work of the late Pierre Charles and his predecessor, the late Rosie Douglas, and others who traversed this path before in advancing the process of Regional Integration.

Prime Minister Mitchell went on to say: " In view of this, and given the serious financial situation, it really calls now for greater unity of the people of Dominica in every sense of the word, as well as support from the Caribbean Region in these difficult times for Dominica.

"I saw Prime Minister Charles as someone who demonstrated commitment to his Country and to Regional Integration. Despite the fact that he did not campaign for this job and, in fact, had to inherit it due to the untimely passing of former Prime Minister Rosie Douglas, he literally gave of his best.

"While they were coming to grips with their financial problems, and the recent announcement by the IMF (International Monetary Fund) of some support dealing with the financial situation in Dominica, it is very unfortunate that Mr. Charles had to depart at this particular time. But, of course, the Almighty knows best.

"Each and every one of us to need to understand that we are here upon this earth for a very short time and that we should use every opportunity to make a contribution to mankind. "It is a message for every single one of us to spend less time on hate, hurt, pain and destruction, and spend more time on
building love and unity.

"This is why in our own country, Grenada, we've been calling on all persons, whether they are supporters of the Government or not, to unify to build our Country. "Each of us should leave this earth feeling that we have made the contribution that God put us here to make.