(E-183/00) October 11, 2000 BARBADOS, BELIZE ENVOYS GIVE MAIDEN ADDRESS AT OAS Speaking at the Organization of American States Permanent Council for the first time, Barbados' new Ambassador today urged the Organization to continue safeguarding the rights of women, children, indigenous populations and migrant workers. "We support the initiative for the preparation of a draft Inter-American Convention against Racism and all Forms of Discrimination and Intolerance… because we believe, like the resolution recognizes, that diversity of ethnic groups and cultures enhances the societies of the hemisphere and must be given due consideration," declared Ambassador King, who presented credentials to the OAS Secretary General on Tuesday. Among the issues he touched on, the Barbadian diplomat welcomed the OAS' creation of the Justice Studies Center of the Americas, noting that strong emphasis must be placed on ensuring equal access and equality under the law as well as "reasonable response time" in dispensing justice. The Belize Ambassador, Lisa Shoman, also delivered an inaugural address before the Permanent Council today. Thanking the OAS for its hurricane assistance, she gave an update on the estimated US$200 million damage inflicted by Hurricane Keith last week. She said preliminary estimates put tourism damage in two islands Belizean islands at US$100 million. Public infrastructure was set back to the tune of $55 million while agriculture suffered US$45 million in losses. On other matters, Ambassador Shoman stressed the need for the OAS to remain a strong partner in development and technical cooperation for member states. "It is important that the OAS retain its practical approach to the fight against poverty by tackling underdevelopment through partnership for development activities," she declared, renewing Belize's "unconditional commitment to the values enshrined in the Charter of the OAS--the equality of sovereign states, the defense of democracy and the shared ideal of living together in peace, harmony and security." Chaired by Canada's Ambassador Peter Boehm, the Council meeting took up a number of other agenda items, including a status report on the Museum of the Americas Foundation and a report on the nineteenth meeting of the Summit Implementation Review Group. ******