Dr. Kim Howells, the United Kingdom's (U.K.) Minister of State in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), will be arriving in the island today for a two-day visit.

While in the island, Dr. Howells is expected to have discussions about regional and international security concerns with the Government and the Opposition.

Dr. Howells who has responsibility for the Middle East, Afghanistan and South Asia, Counter Proliferation, Counter Terrorism, Conflict Issues, Counter Narcotics and U.N. Reform will also familiarise himself with the scope of U.K. cooperation and support for Jamaica on security and justice issues.

He is scheduled to meet with Dr. Peter Phillips, Minister ofNational Security; Derrick Smith, Opposition Spokesman for National Security and Delroy Chuck, Opposition Spokesman on Justice.

Dr. Howells was appointed Minister of State at the FCO Office in May 2005. He was previously Minister of State at the Department for Education and Skills. He has also held ministerial posts at the Department for Transport, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and the Department for Trade and Industry.