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Jamaica Minister, Senator Anthony Hylton, Urges international Support for Bicentenary Anniversary of Abolition of Slave Trade.

NEW YORK, (JIS):

Thursday, September 28, 2006

Minister of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade, Senator Anthony Hylton, has called on the international community to support next year's programme of events marking the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade in the Caribbean region.

Minister Hylton, who was making his contribution to the 61st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York yesterday (Sept. 26), noted that the anniversary was a very special one for member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

He said he was expecting the fullest support of the international community through a resolution, which will be tabled during the current session.

"The bicentenary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade in the British Empire will be marked in 2007. For all CARICOM countries, this is a special anniversary based on shared history. We look forward to the support of all delegations," Minister Hylton said.

On other regional concerns, the Foreign Minister told the influential gathering that Jamaica was particularly encouraged by recent developments in Haiti, which have allowed the country to once again, take its rightful place in CARICOM.

He said that under the democratically-elected government of President Rene Preval, "attention can now be focused on institution and capacity-building as well as reconstruction and other initiatives for economic and social development."

The general debate session of the UNGA ends on Friday, September 29