Seychellois’ co-existence needs emulating, says outgoing Don McKinnon |28 November 2007
“Seychelles mix is working very well and other countries with problems need to find out what Seychelles is doing right or they are doing wrong,” he said.
Mr McKinnon said that Seychelles membership of the 53-nation body is quite cost effective, as this country gets about $25 in return for every $1 it invests in the organization.
Saying he felt good to be here, where he will also enjoy a one-day holiday with his wife, Mr McKinnon said that he had consulted with President Michel in Uganda during the just-ended Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
He said that his talks with VP Belmont touched on many global issues, and added that the Commonwealth is sad that Pakistan is at the moment suspended from the organization.
He confirmed that six nations which were never ruled by Britain have shown interest in joining the Commonwealth after the criterion that members be former British colonies was removed at the Kampala meeting.
Asked what he counted as his main achievements during his term as secretary general, Mr McKinnon said it was hard to single out a particular achievement, but was happy to see the involvement of former heads of government as special envoys in the resolution of problems in their own countries.
He said that many countries are now more confident of their good governance policies than they were 10 years ago, and that many youth programmes are quite successful.