CARICOM Secretary-General Edwin Carrington has said that with the passing of David de Caires he felt a personal loss and noted that since their first meeting in 1992, he has held the late Stabroek News’ Editor-in-Chief in high esteem.

The Secretary-General said that much has been said about his posture in relation to media and democracy and while that was his avocation, his own interaction with de Caires “was never on a specific subject.”

“… given his breadth of knowledge and his phenomenal range of interest in matters regional and global,” Carrington said, “I found our conversations stimulating, informative and at all times challenging.” 

“Ironically,” Carrington recalled, ”only a few weeks ago, I discussed with colleagues and staff my intention to convene a meeting with media policy-makers in the Region on issues current, critical, and relevant to the Caribbean Community.  In that discussion, the name David de Caires was pre-eminent, not just because of the esteem in which he was held in the Community, but because, despite his reduced levels of physical activity recently, his mental acuity would definitely have served as a catalyst for new ideas in such a forum.”

And given de Caires’ passionate commitment to public discourse, Carrington said that he is keen that such an event should now take place more than ever, and should perhaps be dedicated to the memory and legacy of the late Editor-in-Chief.

“I affirm for his widow, Doreen, and the wider de Caires family, the strength to cope with his death by celebrating his life of service,” Carrington added.