Need for staff at UN mission in NY to be accredited – to handle consular affairs

Cabinet Secretary Mrs. Gemma Bain-Thomas has said that a recommendation has been made to have someone at the UN mission accredited, so that consular matters for Grenada can be handled.

This has become necessary after the post of Consul General became vacant following the Government’s decision to regularise the position in New York.

A statement from the Office of the Prime Minister last week said the “purported appointment of Mr. James as Consul General was inconsistent with United States law and standard diplomatic and consular practices”.

During a post-Cabinet briefing on Thursday last, Mrs. Bain-Thomas said the issue first came up at the end of 2008 when James was initially appointed to the position.

It was brought to government’s attention in 2009, following which a decision was taken to appoint him as Honorary Consul General.

The Cabinet Secretary revealed that “no administrative decision was taken to have him accredited by the US Department of State”.

His status was changed in 2009 to Honorary Consul, and at the expiration of his two-year contract last month, he was offered a temporary month to month appointment, which was accepted.

Mrs. Bain-Thomas said after careful review, “Cabinet decided that the Consulate General in New York should remain open because of the large number of Grenadians living there.”

In addition, Government has said that Derek James served Grenada admirably in the role since 2008 and it intends to have dialogue with him as to how he may be of continued service to Grenada.

Mrs. Bain-Thomas said it was not a question of unsuitability.