Premier Jennifer Smith yesterday congratulated everyone involved in making the dream of St. George's being recognised as a World Heritage Site a reality.

She said: "I am today especially proud and deeply privileged to give recognition to a truly significant moment in the history of our Island.

"As Premier, as the Member of Parliament for the constituency in which the Town of St. George sits and as a Bermudian who was born and raised in the old town, I offer my congratulations to all who made the dream a reality.'' The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) yesterday announced that it had designated the "Historic Town of St. George and Related Fortifications'' as a World Heritage Site.

The announcement puts the East End town under the same heading as India's Taj Mahal, China's Great Wall, Italy's Vatican City and Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

And this would promote interest in Bermuda's history, architecture and heritage throughout the world, noted the Premier.

"In myriad ways, the Town of St. George -- with its historic buildings, narrow streets, old world ambiance and, nearby, beautifully preserved fortifications -- presents a unique opportunity for people to learn about and to experience Bermuda's culture, traditions and heritage, both today and for generations to come.'' Ms Smith recognised the time, preparation and hard work which had gone into the town's application and noted the Country owed the organisations and individuals who had worked on achieving the designation a "tremendous debt of gratitude''.

"In this regard,'' she said, "our thanks go to the St. George's Foundation which spearheaded the application for World Heritage status for the Town of St. George.

"In June, 1999, the Foundation submitted an application to UNESCO, a submission that had been prepared by a working group drawn from the Foundation itself, the Corporation of St. George, the Bermuda National Trust, the Bermuda Maritime Museum, the Department of Planning and the Forts Division of the Department of Parks.

"That partnership produced the comprehensive management plan that was forwarded to UNESCO for consideration and approval in July of this year. All of the participants in this endeavour are deserving of our gratitude.

"We thank the Mayor, Aldermen and Common Councillors of the Town of St.

George, participating Government Departments, especially the Ministries of the Environment and Tourism, the people of St. George and other individuals and organisations throughout the Island who in ways great and small contributed to the desired outcome -- designation of the Town of St. George and Related Fortifications as a World Heritage Site.'' Assistant Director for Forward Planning at the Department of Planning, Peter Adwick, said the Department was delighted at the news and his section was proud to have been part of the process.

"World Heritage Site status is a major accolade not just for the Town but for Bermuda as a whole and puts St. George on a par with other prestigious sites around the world.

"This can provide a springboard for the economic revitalisation of the town, It also brings a responsibility to ensure the Town is managed in a way that preserves and enhances the qualities that make St. George such a unique place,'' he said.

WORLD HERITAGE JOY