Wednesday 21 August 2013

New Ambassadors to assume duties on September 1


Karl Hood
Almost six months after the New National Party won the February 19 General Elections, new ambassadors who were named within weeks of the new administration taking office have begun taking up their posts and presenting their credentials to the relevant Heads of State.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Nicholas Steele, informed the House of Representatives at the end of the July session that by the end of August all new ambassadors will be deployed.

“Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that the governments of the various countries have accepted our nominees for the post of ambassadors,” he said.

Dr. Angus Friday
The new ambassadors are: Karl Hood, who will be in China; Dr. Angus Friday, who will be based in Washington and will also be the representative to the OAS; Claris Charles, who will be in Cuba; Joslyn Whiteman, who will be the High Commissioner in London; and Mr. Hassan Hadeed, who is the Ambassador to Venezuela. Dr. Denis Antoine will be the new ambassador to the United Nations.


Dr. Denis Antoine
Claris Charles
For the first time since Independence, Grenada will not be having a Consul General at the New York Mission but instead a Honorary Consul General. This position which is almost equivalent to that of Honorary Consulate as the person appointed – Derek James will not be able to perform the task of Consul General. All official duties of the Consul General will be handled by Washington.

Minister Steele said on Saturday that with regards to the Brussels Embassy there will no longer be a Grenada Embassy there as the entire OECS will be moving to open one embassy and appoint one ambassador.

“The OECS will appoint an ambassador to represent the sub-region, but each island will have its own space within that office,” said Steele as he explains that this format of operation is already taking place in Canada.

The ambassadors are expected to work along with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to improve diplomatic and bilateral relations. (LS)


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