THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed its grave concern over an article, written by Bibi Hodge Shaw and carried in the St. Maarten News Network (SMN News), which has sought to discredit the Consul General of Guyana to Barbados, Mr. Michael Brotherson.A release from the ministry said: “The ministry wishes to inform that, in the absence of a consular representative in St. Maarten, Mr. Brotherson was authorised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guyana to travel to St. Maarten to attend to the consular needs of the Guyanese community there.
“This visit was made only after the necessary protocols were followed between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guyana and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of St. Maarten.”
“In the article, Bibi Hodge Shaw has maligned the characters of the public servants of Guyana and St. Maarten and has made unfortunate accusations that are totally unfounded.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to advise that all consular fees, as fixed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guyana, were processed in accordance with the financial regulations of the Government of Guyana, with the required Government receipts issued. All such revenue is remitted to the Government of Guyana Consolidated Fund.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs further wishes to advise that, in a separate communication, Bibi Hodge Shaw has been cautioned that any further articles with similar content and which carry false and damaging information will result in legal action being taken against her.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform that, in an effort to strengthen the relations between Guyana and St. Maarten and to better serve the Guyanese community, a request was made to the Kingdom of the Netherlands for its approval for the appointment of a consular representative to be accredited in St. Maarten.
It added, “The ministry is awaiting a response to this request.”