– following its publication of misleading information

Dear Editor
I write out of deep concern for the hard working diplomats in Guyana’s Foreign Service, regarding an article appearing on page 16 of the Kaieteur News of October 9th, 2014 captioned ‘Govt. orders probe into duty-free concessions…Reports fingers top GRA officials in fraud scheme.’Among other things the article states: “Another case that is under the spotlight involves a number of SUV’s brought in by a Guyanese diplomat posted to the U.S. He brought the vehicles, reportedly, applying for it as an investor. However, the vehicles were sold.”

The diplomats that are posted from Guyana to the United States of America are His Excellency Bayney Karran, Ambassador to the United States of America and the OAS; His Excellency George Talbot, Permanent Representative to the United Nations; Mr. Brentnold Evans, Consul General, Consulate in New York; Mr. Mohammed Khan, Deputy Consul General; Foreign Service Officers Troy Torrington, Forbes July, Candida Daniels, Bibi Ally and Shiraz Mohamed.

None of these diplomats, I repeat none of these diplomats, has imported to Guyana SUV vehicles. They just cannot do so while they are serving abroad.

Mr. Editor, a phone call to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would have set the record straight. That omission and subsequent publication of the misleading information have caused undue discomfort to our hard working diplomats. I request an apology on their behalf.

ELISABETH HARPER
Director General
Ministry of Foreign Affairs