Statement at the official opening of

International Cultural Festival by

Minister of Foreign Affairs

The Honourable Fred Mitchell

Saturday 16^th October, 2004

On behalf of the Government, Prime Minister Christie and all my colleagues, I am pleased to be here today to open this International Cultural Festival. I am sure that in its 10^th year this will be better than ever. I encourage all persons to come and share in this wonderful event. I know they will enjoy good clean fun, fun for the family that is in a safe and clean environment.

I would like to thank James Catalyn and his entire team including Ambassador Leonard Archer for all the fine work that has been done in making this year an the past events a huge success.

I encourage all to visit the art exhibition of art pieces from around the globe now mounted at the Central Bank and which was organized by Mrs. Janet Bostwick who was my predecessor in this job.

The Bahamas continues to have good relations with all nations of the world. People from all nationalities come here, helping us build and develop our country. This is an important initiative toward ensuring that we share the wealth of the cultures of each country that is here, even as we build and develop our own way of life. I thank all countries that are participating. This year, I believe that Japan is represented here for the first time. Bangladesh and the Turks and Caicos Islands are also here for the first time. I welcome them and all the others who are back from years before.

I thank Ireland for the kind donation of $2500 to the Hurricane relief effort. I promise that we shall conclude within a few short weeks a formal agreement on diplomatic relations between The Bahamas and Ireland.

You know that during the past year, the Prime Minister made a state visit to the people’s Republic of China. That was a successful visit and as a result a new stadium as a gift of the Chinese nation to the Bahamas has been promised. The Chinese are also here today. I wish to announce that we are planning to open an embassy in Beijing in 2005/06 and that as of yesterday the consulate general of The Bahamas in Hong Kong close its doors, and consular services will no longer be available there except when an honorary consul is appointed.

I wish at this time to pay special mention for our Haitian brothers and sisters who are suffering from the hurricane and who are suffering from the dislocations of conflict and social change. They have always participated in this festival. I note also that Grenada, Caricou and Petit Martinque, that nation is also here and we identify with their suffering.

Our friends to the north the United States of America are here. This year we welcome the new U.S. Ambassador to the ranks of the festival Ambassador John Rood. Welcome Ambassador.

I wish to say that there is soon to be a resident diplomatic presence in Havana and that the representatives of Cuba are here today and I am sure that those who come today will enjoy the food.

I wish to thank you all then in sum for making this a successful event. I am sure that you will fully enjoy yourselves. And it is now my pleasure to officially declare the festival open.

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