ROSEAU, Dominica: The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is to present a resolution at the United Nations calling for a special event to be commemorated in 2007 marking the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. This disclosure was made recently by Dominica’s Ambassador/Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Crispin Gregoire, on behalf of CARICOM, in an address to the Third Committee during the 61st session of the UN General Assembly on Agenda 65: Elimination of Racism and Racial Discrimination. In a statement, Gregoire explained the idea behind this special event: “This event would afford the international community the opportunity to honour the memory of the millions who died as a result of slavery, including their transportation on the Middle Passage, in revolt, in resistance to their enslavement. We are heartened by the overwhelming support expressed thus far by many member states and express the hope that the resolution will be adopted by consensus. “The commemoration will serve as an opportunity to acknowledge the legacy of slavery as being at the heart of situations of profound social and economic inequality, hatred, bigotry, racism and prejudice which continue to affect people of African descent today. This activity would be consistent with the spirit of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, and we look forward to working with all member states, as well as UN organisations such as UNESCO and others, in ensuring a successful commemoration in 2007.” Reprinted from Caribbean Net News caribbeannetnews.com