Minister of State Joseph Harmon on Friday dispelled recent reports of new overseas diplomatic postings, while saying that there are no recommendations for any such positions engaging the attention of Cabinet.
“What I can say to you right know [is] as far as Cabinet is concerned, that we have no recommendations for diplomatic postings before the Cabinet,” Harmon responded when asked at a weekly post-Cabinet press briefing to confirm reports of diplomatic postings.
He explained to reporters that the diplomatic appointments are made by the president.
The process, he said, requires a recommendation from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, following which it is deliberated on by the president. Thereafter, the recommendation would be sent to the Cabinet.
“Cabinet will then give its final statement on the matter,” he informed, while adding that he had previously indicated that the only ambassador that had come before the Cabinet, for whom approval was given, was Cheryl Miles, who has since been posted to Venezuela.
Stabroek News had reported last week that businessman Hamley Case had been nominated to be Guyana’s new High Commissioner to the UK, while attorney and former Deputy Speaker Clarissa Riehl had been proposed as new High Commissioner to Canada.
Sources also told this newspaper that Bayney Karran would remain in his post as Ambassador to the United States. Sources also told Stabroek News that former PNC government official Halim Majeed has been selected as Ambassador to Cuba and economist, Dr Kenrick Hunte will serve in the mission to South Africa.
The nominations, this newspaper was told, were being finalised.
Observers have expressed concern that six months into the life of the APNU+AFC collation government nothing is being said about the changing of heads of the various overseas diplomatic missions.
