Dear Editor,
Reference is made to ‘While I am often on travel duty, that does not affect the overall quantity of the foreign affairs work I do’ (SN, June 14). Clearly, the Minister of Foreign Affairs is a very busy public servant operating quietly, and shunning the grand self-marketing of vaunted predecessors. Thus, I thank him even more for taking the time to share his work with an ordinary citizen (a barely visible nonentity) like me.
In view of what Mr Greenidge has laid out so patiently and meticulously, I take the opportunity to reach out to him (in his ministerial capacity and as Vice-President), the cabinet, and to the President himself to table something that has bothered me, and needs to be addressed.
The Minister is where he needs to be, when such is required on behalf of this nation; there are embassies and competent officials in key capitals and places representing the interests of this state; and then there are lesser groups and agencies around and about where the action percolates. Given these contexts and realities, why do ministers and senior officials always seem to be winging their way to this or that locale at the drop of a hat, and racking up frequent flyer miles? Why is there a need for all of this expensive travelling that this country cannot afford? Why is there so much travelling when structures are already in place as identified earlier? Why so much journeying when even rich private business (including Wall Street) sees it fit to capitalize on the communications revolution and make reductions to their travel budgets? Surely, this country can be more cost conscious ‒ has to be so consistently?
It should be remembered that plane tickets are only part of the package, as there has to be boarding and lodging (whatever the star, it does not come cheap), and entertainment, too. And while I am at it, there is usually room for the baggage of an entourage.
Editor, this is a poor and developing country; it can do with the savings, which I venture have to be considerable. I say that Minister Carl Greenidge and his far-flung colleagues must be recognized as not only already being in place, but also fully capable of coordination and handling the business of this land.
Now this could well open a can of worms, but I do find them delectable and good for digestion. These extravagances occurring on sometimes flimsy pretexts must be diminished and significantly so. I succeeded in avoiding use of that slur ‘junket.’ It was a little difficult. Now let there be a start in remedying the situation. And it is not by keeping it out of the press. Last, and again, there is appreciation to the Minister for taking me seriously.
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
