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Ambassador urges US-based Jamaicans to participate in US polls
Thursday, 03 January 2008
With Americans in the throes of selecting who will represent the parties when presidential elections are held later this year, newly appointed Ambassador to Washington Anthony Johnson says he will push for eligible Jamaicans to take part in the political process.
Speaking with the RJR News Centre Thursday morning, Mr. Johnson, who takes up his post later this month, insisted that Caribbean people should ensure that their voices are heard.
"Jamaica's policy on that is that the Jamaicans who live over there must try their best to be good citizens of the United States, those who are citizens. Those who are not must ensure that they take best advantage of the opportunities available to persons who live there and be model residents and they must keep a strong link with Jamaica," said Mr. Johnson.
Problems facing Jamaican immigrants and the issue of trade between Jamaica and the United States will also be high on the agenda of the new ambassador.
Mr. Johnson told the RJR News Centre he was not happy with the level of trading between the countries and will be pressing for an improvement.
But he said the problems facing immigrants will also keep him busy.
"The entire business the Diaspora, the business of migration to the United States, the issue of employment in the United States, the problem of deportees constantly come up and all of these have to be looked at under the watch of the mission," he continued.
His tour of duty will last three years.
Thursday, 03 January 2008
With Americans in the throes of selecting who will represent the parties when presidential elections are held later this year, newly appointed Ambassador to Washington Anthony Johnson says he will push for eligible Jamaicans to take part in the political process.
Speaking with the RJR News Centre Thursday morning, Mr. Johnson, who takes up his post later this month, insisted that Caribbean people should ensure that their voices are heard.
"Jamaica's policy on that is that the Jamaicans who live over there must try their best to be good citizens of the United States, those who are citizens. Those who are not must ensure that they take best advantage of the opportunities available to persons who live there and be model residents and they must keep a strong link with Jamaica," said Mr. Johnson.
Problems facing Jamaican immigrants and the issue of trade between Jamaica and the United States will also be high on the agenda of the new ambassador.
Mr. Johnson told the RJR News Centre he was not happy with the level of trading between the countries and will be pressing for an improvement.
But he said the problems facing immigrants will also keep him busy.
"The entire business the Diaspora, the business of migration to the United States, the issue of employment in the United States, the problem of deportees constantly come up and all of these have to be looked at under the watch of the mission," he continued.
His tour of duty will last three years.