NEWS BRIEFS

Clinton hails nationon Independence

United States Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has underscored the long-standing close relationship between Kingston and Washington in her message to mark Jamaica's Independence Day.

"Our two nations are united by our shared history, values, and hopes for the future," Clinton said.

"We work together through CARICOM to promote regional security and stability, widen opportunity and prosperity, and strengthen democratic governance and the rule of law throughout the Caribbean and across the Americas," Clinton said.

Leaders away for Ja's birthday

Jamaicans will celebrate the nation's 48th birthday today with neither Prime Minister Bruce Golding nor Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller at the party.

Golding is on an official visit to Bogota, Colombia, to participate in a number of activities, including the official swearing-in of the newly elected Colombian president, Dr Juan Manuel Santos.

During the visit, Golding will meet with Jamaicans living in Colombia, after which he will hold bilateral talks with outgoing president, Dr Alvaro Uribe Velez.

Tomorrow, Golding, along with heads of state and government officials from a number of Latin America and Caribbean countries, will attend the official swearing-in ceremony for Santos.

The prime minister will return to the island on Monday.

In the meantime, Simpson Miller left today for Canada as the guest of honour for the Independence activities being put on by the Jamaica Canada Association and the Jamaican Diaspora Canada Foundation.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Dr Ken Baugh, will represent Golding at today's activities. while People's National Party Chairman Robert Pickersgill will represent Simpson Miller.