By KHASHAN POITIER

Guardian Staff Reporter

Veteran broadcaster and journalist Ed Bethel has been appointed the Bahamas' Consul General to New York. He is expected to take up his post by Jan. 1, 2003.

This announcement came from Prime Minister Perry Christie Tuesday at a press conference at the Churchill Building.

"In the person of Ed Bethel, we have someone who through his successes in journalism, knows every part of The Bahamas intimately, knows the people of The Bahamas intimately and is, therefore, best able to promote our country in the most intimate and knowledgeable of fashion. So, he really takes with him a wealth of experience, excellent counsel and good judgment," said the Prime Minister.

"I believe Ed Bethel will lend his special talents and appeal to the heightening of the image of The Bahamas overseas, and I am therefore pleased to be able to nominate and support his appointment," he added.

Describing Mr Bethel as having had "a distinguished career," Mr Christie said, "This is only the first step in the diplomatic annals of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas."

Mr. Christie advised that other Consul General appointments will be made between now and Jan. 1, 2003.

"Under the Constitution, I am empowered to make such appointments. I have advised the Minister of Foreign Affairs of my intention to name a number of persons in the immediate future," the Prime Minister said.

"We have created a new ministry in Financial Services and Investments. For a long time former governments have spoken about using cultural offices and embassies abroad in furtherance of the promotion of investment opportunities in The Bahamas," said Mr. Christie, adding that persons like Mr. Bethel will make this a reality.

Mr. Bethel's job, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs and Public Service Fred Mitchell, will include issuing visas for persons wanting to visit or invest in The Bahamas.

In response to the appointment, Mr. Bethel said, "As Consul General, I hope to strengthen relations with the Bahamian community in the tri-state and all else that fall under my jurisdiction.

"The Consulate General also serves to assist Bahamians in crisis situations and distress and to that end, I will represent our people to the best of my ability in accordance with international law and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic and Consular relations."

Mr. Bethel said his new post will enable him to promote the country, take advantage of trade opportunities, and "encourage tourism and cultural activities."

Mr. Bethel made his journalism debut as a reporter for ZNS Radio of the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas, and the Tribune in 1961.

While at ZNS, Mr. Bethel propelled his career as a play-by-play commentator in 1975, when The Bahamas won its first World Championship belt in the person of Elisha Obed in his fight against Miguel de Oliveria in Paris, France.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Bethel covered several historic meetings, including those with the late American President John F. Kennedy, and Caribbean and Commonwealth Heads of Government meetings. In addition, he covered five visits of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to The Bahamas in 1966, '75, '77, '85 and '94.

During the 1972, 1982, 1987 and 1992 general elections he was the radio and television anchor at ZNS.

For the past four decades, Mr. Bethel has interviewed numerous celebrities, including The Bahamas' Ambassador to Japan, Sidney Poitier, former World Heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, actors Sean Connery, Vanessa Williams, Lou Gosset Jr., performer James Brown, presidents, including Nelson Mandela, Kenneth Kaunda, Robert Mugabe, Pierre Trudeau of Canada and Michael Manley of Jamaica.

The weekly shows "Action-Line" and Sports-Line," the first phone-in radio talk shows to be introduced, were the brainchilds of Mr. Bethel.

In 1990, for a six-month period he was appointed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Bahamas Embassy in Washington, D.C. as Press Attaché.

He served as anchor of Love 97's recent State Funerals of Sir Randol Fawkes, Archdeacon William Thompson and former Prime Minister the late Sir Lynden Pindling.