Dear Editor,

I REFER to the Stabroek News’ March 8th, 2016 editorial titled ‘Diplomatic Appointments’, and wish to say that I am largely in agreement with both the grand observations and the specific concerns posed.

I would, however, like to add some points of clarification, if not correction: Two of the current ambassadors, Mr. George Talbot and Mr. Keith George, are career diplomats who have ‘worked their way up through the ranks’.

Mrs. Esther Griffith, former Chief of Protocol — who is to be the Consul General in Nickerie, Suriname — has been in the service for well over twelve years without ever having previously been posted or heading a mission.

That more new ambassadors have not been chosen from serving officers is attributable to the points you have mentioned about career planning, training, posting abroad, as well as nil or inadequate exposure to the frontline of those at Headquarters.

It may, nonetheless, be helpful for you to note that a number of officers were recently posted abroad at levels just below Heads of Missions (HoM) in preparation for eventual HoM positions. They, like some of those recently recalled, are well on the way to being appointed HoM in the next round, within the next 2-3 years.

Additionally, I am happy to inform you that Ambassadors-designates Mr. David Hales and Mr. Neville Totaram, the latter who is both a career diplomat and a very long serving Permanent Secretary, will be posted to the Guyana Mission in Brussels.

Finally, among Heads of Missions to be appointed, or for whom agréments have been requested, are a few former members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who returned to contribute to the national struggle after extensive service abroad, or in the region on the diplomatic circuit.

Yours faithfully,
CARL B. GREENIDGE
Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs