Hood, James appointed to serve in diplomatic posts

TWO persons who served as diplomats in the former National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration have been appointed to serve in diplomatic positions for the New National Party (NNP) Government, which was elected into office on February 19, 2013.

Karl Hood, former Foreign Affairs Minister for the NDC administration who resigned from his ministerial post, will be taking up the job of Ambassador to China while Derrick James, who served as Honorary Consul to New York, was re-appointed. The NDC administration terminated his service due to a diplomatic gaffe over job title.

James, who had a contract with the Government as Honorary Consul, was claiming to be the Consul General. The US Government wrote to the Government of Grenada inquiring about his true position and his service was rescinded.

The two were among a list of five diplomats who were offered one-year contracts to serve in various diplomatic posts.

The others are Jocelyn Whiteman, who will serve as High Commissioner to London as well as Claris Charles and Hasan Hadeed, who will serve as Ambassadors to Cuba and Venezuela respectively.

Legal Affairs Minister, Elvin Nimrod, said that the inclusion of former NDC diplomats to the new selection is part of the NNP administration’s desire to be all-inclusive.

“We are looking forward to these men and women giving of their best; we hope to get the best of it from all of them,” said Nimrod as he expressed confidence in the ability of the appointees.

Significant diplomatic appointments to be named are: OECS/CARICOM Ambassador; Ambassador to the United Nations; and Ambassadors to the United States and the European Union.