as Nigeria and Senegal, attended the opening ceremony for the World Conference of Mayors annual convention which kicked off yesterday.

And local representatives included Premier Jennifer Smith who addressed the international delegates, Mayor of Hamilton William Frith, Mayor of St.

George's Lois Perinchief, Bermuda Industrial Union president Derrick Burgess and Bermuda Forum president Corin Smith.

Premier Smith entered the room to a standing ovation and received a warm response from the international group of delegates.

She welcomed the delegates and said they had "distinguished'' Bermuda by their presence -- especially since Bermuda is a very small country.

She noted that World Conference of Mayors was "the first truly international conference held in the new Bermuda'' and highlighted the "frontline'' role of mayors who bind the citizens with their governments. Premier Smith said the delegates' presence symbolised "opening the doors of opportunity'' and said she looked forward to "further cementing'' the relationship with the American representatives.

Mayor of Dakar, Senegal Mamadou Diop said the ocean that divides Bermuda and Senegal should be seen as a link instead of a handicap.

He mentioned "millions of black people who left Dakar from (the slave castle island) Goree.. .who built a new world''.

And he said his participation in the conference was a symbolic trip to find his "brothers and sisters'' and bring together "the new world and the old world''.

Deputy Mayor of Douala, Cameroon Belong Movna said he was honoured to be present and stated: "After so many centuries of being separated, you can understand our joy of being here.'' "Africa has come so far to be here to bring you the baptism by fire and to bring you the blessings of the ancestors,'' he said.

Conference organiser Bonnie Marshall stated: "This is a new day in Bermuda, a historical day.'' Alluding to the earlier controversy surrounding the planning of the conference, Ms Marshall stated: "This was never about me -- it was about you and bringing together people of African descent to Bermuda and beginning this relationship.

"You have amazing people in Bermuda and amazing black folks in Bermuda -- very smart, very tough, very on top of it, very warm.'' And moderator Glenn Blakeney spoke of the conference and the new Government as being a historic time for "reawakening in a belief as ourselves as Bermudians'' by showing "how well-defined inclusion can be''.

After the opening ceremony, delegates attended a luncheon where internationally-renowned motivational Bermudian speaker Dennis Watson gave the keynote address.