THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it will be paying close attention to Guyana’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Dr Shamir Ally following the recent revelation of a civil case that was filed against him and others by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge told reporters on Thursday at his year-end press conference that while Dr Ally will remain Guyana’s Ambassador to Kuwait for the duration of his contract, the President David Granger-led administration will be keeping an eye on him. “We now will look forward to the service that he provides and he is aware that in the light of what has happened we will keep especially close to him,” said Minister Greenidge.

In September, after Dr Ally was appointed Guyana’s Ambassador to Kuwait the civil matter was made public via the media. The Ambassador, along with Ronald Lanchoney and Robert Mancuso, were allegedly involved in the distribution of false financial information by Acrodyne Communications Inc. in 1998, 1999 and 2000 and according to court documents Mancuso, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company, Dr. Ally, the company’s former controller and Lanchoney were aware of many problems associated with the company’s accounting controls, but failed to assure that its financial transactions were accurately recorded.

Mancuso was fined US$50,000 and Ally and Lanchoney fined US$10,000 each. However, when asked about the civil matter and whether due diligence was done in the case of the diplomat, Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge told reporters that due diligence was done in the lead-up to Dr Ally’s appointment. He said that the size of the United States, where the Ambassador resided prior to his appointment, is one factor that resulted in the government’s failure to obtain that information.

But Greenidge explained that after looking at the issue comprehensively, it was concluded that Dr Ally should have drawn to the attention of the government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the civil matter he was involved in. “It was inappropriate for him not to have done so. We have taken the necessary action in relation to that matter and as it stands right now the contract that he has will stand,” the Foreign Affairs Minister told the gathering of reporters.

The ministry, Greenidge said looks forward to the service that Dr Ally will provide and when pressed to elaborate on the “necessary action” taken said the Ambassador to Kuwait was written to. “As regards the actions taken in relation to Dr Shamir Ally, let me say that the appropriate action in the light of the circumstances had to do with writing Dr Ally and drawing to his attention our concern and our wish to ensure that no similar oversight will be uncovered in the future.”

Meanwhile, Dr Ally has been employed by the government for one year. Asked of the possibility of renewal of contract, Minister Greenidge said, “I would not want to pronounce on that at this stage. There is always a prospect, whether it is good or not so good is another thing.”

Dr. Ally is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and President of International Consulting Services and has 20 years of experience in the field of business in Guyana (1960-1979). In the U.S., he has acquired 27 years of experience in the field of business, operating as Corporate Controller, Chief Accounting Officer, Vice-President of Finance, and Chief Financial Officer at AMEX, NYSE, and NASDAQ — Listed Public Corporations in New York and Pennsylvania, USA. Additionally, he has global experience in 15 industries and services: electronics, apparel, printing & packaging, insurance, financing, lotteries, pharmaceuticals, sugar, rice, spices, gold, diamonds, accounting, auditing & consulting services, and universities.