I recall the initial discussions which we had in Washington on the occasion of my visit with you as your guest, out of which was born the germ of the idea of the Caribbean Basin Initiative which has flowered today. I want to offer next a toast to you as a friend of the Caribbean. President, have given to the implementation of your programs, a characteristic for which you are both well known and admired throughout the world. It speaks highly of the level of positive leadership which you, Mr. Knowing well the rigors of the legislative and congressional procedures in the United States, it is nothing short of very impressive that all this has been accomplished in one year. We have had the purchase, barter, and exchange of bauxite for the strategic mineral stockpiles by the General Services Administration of the United States. businessmen's committee, which has played a critical, catalytic role in initiating new investment for Jamaica. In that past year, we have had as a part of the strengthened bonds of friendship between our countries the enactment of legislation to allow for conventions to charge their business expenses against their U.S. I offer, first of all, a toast to him as head of government and state for the extent to which his clarity of conviction and dedication to purpose has enabled a strengthening of U.S.-Jamaica relationships over the past year. I would be more comfortable in offering several toasts, and I'm going to adopt the more comfortable line. I find some difficulty in offering a toast to the President of the United States. If they had the opportunity by virtue of a longer stay, this personal experience, I am sure, they would have felt in their journeys to other areas of the island where they would have had the opportunity to meet with Jamaicans in other walks of life. Our only regret is that their stay here is so short and that by virtue of the brevity of this stay, they will not have the opportunity to personally experience the revival of spirit, the renewal of hope, and the determination of purpose that now characterizes the new Jamaica. Reagan and their distinguished delegation to Jamaica and to have the opportunity of reciprocating that hospitality. It is our great pleasure today to welcome President Reagan and Mrs. And I can recall at that time that we hoped that the day would come very soon when we would have the opportunity of reciprocating the hospitality that we received in Washington. It was the occasion of myself and my wife being invited to be the first official guests of the then new government of the United States. It was but a little more than a year ago that myself and my wife, Mitsy, had the pleasure of being guests of our distinguished guests, President Ronald Reagan and his wife, in Washington. Reagan Right Honorable Hugh Shearer, Deputy Prime Minister Honorable Ministers of Government Your Excellencies distinguished guests ladies and gentlemen: Your Excellency, Sir Florizel Glasspole and Lady Glasspole President Ronald Reagan and Mrs.

Edward saeger jamaica prime minister