Latin pop sensation Ricky Martin called on UN diplomats on Wednesday to lend a hand in backing a US government initiative to combat child sexual tourism. “This is slavery and this is the year 2004 and we are still dealing with it. There is a lot of denial,” Martin, best known for tunes that appeal to English and Spanish audiences, told a news conference after addressing a luncheon of Latin American diplomats.

“I want to see abolition of this slavery,” he said. “I need to see the world step out of denial and see this happening here.” The cause is also a favorite of US President George W. Bush, who raised the problem in his last two appearances before the UN General Assembly.

But Martin and US officials who set up the event denied it had anything to do with the November 2 US elections. “This issue is a nonpartisan nonpolitical issue,” said US Ambassador John Miller, who introduced Martin and heads the State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. “It is not tied to anyone’s campaign,” said Martin. “I am here to talk on behalf of the children. I need your help.”