Obama Sends Delegation to Jamaica 50

By Derrick Scott

Jamaica Information Service
8/4/2012 1:18 PM EST

United States (US) President, Barak Obama, has announced that he will be sending a high level delegation to represent the US at Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of Independence celebrations on Monday (Aug. 6).

Former US Secretary of State, General Colin Powell, who is of Jamaican heritage, will lead the delegation, which includes US House of Representatives Congresswoman, Yvette Clarke, also of Jamaican parentage, and US Ambassador to Jamaica, Her Excellency Pamela Bridgewater.

The President said it is important to send the representatives, as a signal of the strong bond of friendship and mutual respect between the two countries.

At a brief ceremony held in the Oval Office of the White House on July 30, where Jamaica’s 11th Ambassador to the US, Professor Stephen Vasciannie, presented his credentials, President Obama, highlighted the importance of Jamaica’s relationship with his country.

He pointed out that while Jamaica is celebrating 50 years of Independence this year, both countries are also marking 50 years of diplomatic ties.

“Jamaica and the United States have shared a long history of friendship based on mutual commitment to democracy, prosperity and security,” the President said.

He pointed out that “beyond the common interests of our governments, our people share an unbreakable bond and close family ties, and Jamaica’s dynamic culture has deeply enhanced the fabric of the American society”.

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