New Jersey is expected to join four other states in America in apologizing for slavery.

Under a measure to be considered by its legislators, New Jersey will this week, join Alabama, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia in issuing formal apologies for slavery.

If it does, it will also be the first Northern state to do.

The Caribbean diplomatic corps at the United Nations ended 2007 on a positive note by getting the UN to pass a resolution by acclamation, designating March 25 as International Day in recognition of the Abolition of the trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.

The resolution also adopted by consensus a call by CARICOM for the erection of a permanent memorial in the halls of the United Nations.