Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

The man of the moment. Dean of the Consular Corps of Jamaica, Arnold Foote Jr., enters with wife Patricia at the reception in his honour for being elected President of the World Federation of Consuls. The reception was held at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston, on Monday, December 11. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Can't blame Arnold Foote if he's feeling on top of the world. The Dean of the Consular Corps of Jamaica, Foote was recently appointed President of the World Federation of Consuls, which was hosted in Montego Bay last month.

His colleagues, as well as those from the diplomatic corps, threw a reception for him in recognition of the feat. Of the 120 countries involved in the federation, he is the first president to emerge from this region. During the short speeches, Honorary Consul to Iceland, Robert MacMillan, described him as an indefatigable dean who should have been lauded for the most successful congress ever held.

Vice-Dean of the local corps, Grantley Stephenson, said Foote had made the corps an organisation synonymous with achievement. He reeled off some of Foote's achievements, including the establishment of a corps newsletter, being the first president of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Consular Association, and launching the now popular international trade expo.

In his reply, Foote gave out a host of thank yous to friends, colleagues and family.

Very glad

Pan Caribbean's Kevin Chin-Shue and Kimberly Foote.

"To be recognised by my colleagues is a great honour ... I'm very glad I've made you proud," he said. He was then serenaded by entertainer Keith Lyn who did a fine rendition of My Way.

Guests included: Honorary Consul of Finland, Andrew Issa; Ecuadorian Consul Clelia Barreto de Hunter; Honorary Consul of Poland Irena Cousins; UNDP representative Juan Carlos Espinola; former Minister of Foreign Affairs K.D. Knight; Japanese Ambassador Masahiro Obata and wife Hiroko; Colombian Ambassador Dr. Kent Francis and wife Cecelia; Brazilian Ambassador Cezar Amaral and wife Lidia; Mexican Ambassador Leonora Rueda; Charles and Lisa Johnston; Roy and Sylvia Collister; Honorary Consul to Nicaragua William Tavares-Finson; Honorary Italian Consul Tarquinio Caldarelli; Gloria Palomino; Panamanian Ambassador Ricardo Moreno; Sonia Jones; Argentine Ambassador José Piño; Prof. Denise Eldemire-Shearer; Honorary Consul to Israel Ainsley Henriques and wife Marjorie; Deputy head of mission at the Venezuelan embassy Madai Hernandez; Korean Ambassador Dr. Oh Kichull and wife Dr. Lee Kyung Ja; and Guillermo Hernandez, Counsellor at the Cuban embassy.