PROFESSOR Clive Thomas, the Director of the University of Guyana’s Institute of Development Studies (IDS) has condemned his last-minute omission from a diplomacy workshop presumably because he is associated with an opposition alliance, a false premise immediately refuted by the Government. Foreign Minister Ms. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett rejected Thomas’ claims, saying that not everyone could have been invited to the workshop and that the renowned Caribbean economist was not left out because of his affiliation to A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).
“No, certainly not; he is a very respectable gentleman and has a lot to offer,” the Foreign Minister was quoted as saying by Demerara Waves Online News
(www.demwaves.com).
Rodrigues-Birkett said she was unaware of such a decision by the Guyana government and wanted to know who conveyed that information to Professor Thomas. She noted the major role he has played in the work of Guyana’s foreign ministry including the formation of the Coalition of Service Providers.
According to the Demwaves report, Thomas lamented on his exclusion from the Workshop on Development and Diplomacy after he was properly invited and had begun preparations. The workshop is being held from July 20-29 at the Foreign Service Institute.

A senior government official last night, when contacted by  the Chronicle for a comment, denied any deliberate exclusion of Professor Thomas from the workshop, noting that the distinguished professor was unfortunate to be one of the persons affected by a late decision to ‘cut’ or reduce the length of the programme from eight days to five days.
The official said Professor Thomas and Sir Shridath Ramphal were among several persons that were informed about the reduction of the training programme from eight days to five days. “As a result, some persons who were previously engaged to participate as facilitators were no longer needed to conduct the training,” the official explained.
“It is obvious that Professor Thomas is misinformed as to what has actually taken place with regards to the change in programme for the workshop,” the official added.