Flag Of Dominica Raised: The flag of Dominica was raised at a ceremony this afternoon in front of the delegates' entrance to United Nations Headquarters, following the country's admission as the 151st Member nation yesterday afternoon. The Secretary-General, Kurt Waldheim, welcomed Arlington Riviere, the representative of the people and Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica, the world's newest independent State, and expressed appreciation to the United Kingdom for its role as the Administering Authority, in encouraging and assisting in the country's peaceful transition to independence.The Secretary-General said that Dominica was the 100th new Member to join the United Nations since the flags of the original 51 Members were raised in 1945. This growth in membership was a measure of the great independence movement which, in a third of a century, had seen the birth of more new nations than in any previous time in history. Mr. Riviere said that today's ceremony was an occasion which the people of Dominica would remember and cherish for a lifetime. For some time Dominica had prided itself on moving forward into international affairs, which included the forum of the United Nations. He said that the flag had been prepared by Alwyn Bully, a talented artist. The central emblem of the flag represented the national bird of Dominica, the Cicero parrot, which was also a symbol of flight towards greater heights and the fulfilment of aspirations. The parrot also came from the Dominica coat of arms, thus symbolizing the official seal of the country. The 10 lime-green stars were the traditional symbol of hope, and represented the 10 parishes of the country, each with equal status, demonstrating the equality of the people. The red central emblem carried the connotation of socialism. The yellow, white and black stripes formed a triple-coloured cross, representing the Trinity of God, and belief in God, which the Commonwealth of Dominica was founded upon. Yellow stripes represented the sunshine of the land, the main agricultural products, citrus and bananas, and the first inhabitants of the island. A white stripe represented the clarity of the rivers and waterfalls and the purity of the aspirations of the people. A black stripe represented the rich black soil of the island on which agriculture was based and also the African heritage. Mr. Riviere said that the background of dark green symbolized rich virgin forests and the lushness of the island.
Photo measures 8 x 10 inches.
Photo is dated 12-12-1978.
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