Suriname apologises over assault of Guyana envoy

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has received a formal apology from Suriname over the assaulting of Guyana’s ambassador to Paramaribo, Keith George on April 1.

A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs follows:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform that the Honourable Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has received a formal apology from her Surinamese counterpart, His Excellency Winston G. Lackin, regarding the incident that took place at the Guyana Embassy in Paramaribo on April 1, 2015.

In the same communication, the Surinamese Foreign Minister assured that the Government of the Republic of Suriname has initiated a thorough investigation into the incident that involved two Surinamese policemen seeking to execute an arrest of a staff member on the premises of the Guyana Embassy and which led to the assault on the person of the Ambassador of Guyana to the Republic of Suriname. Minister Rodrigues-Birkett was also assured by her Surinamese counterpart that appropriate remedial measures will be taken by Suriname and action will be taken to avoid a reoccurrence in the future.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains committed to the continued deepening of the relations between the Republic of Guyana and the Republic of Suriname and is satisfied that both countries have been addressing the incident under reference in a mature, friendly and good neighbourly manner which is testimony to the strong ties of friendship between both Governments.

The Ministry wishes to take this opportunity to thank the staff of the Guyana Embassy in Paramaribo for firmly defending the applicable rules of the Vienna Convention during the incident.