Because countries may be hesitant to confirm diplomatic appointments made by an interim government especially when elections are just around the corner, the move to recall several ambassadors is being viewed as one that can “really hurt us.”
A senior professional at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Guyana Standard, “something has to happen, the decision (made by Minister of Foreign Affairs Karen Cummings) needs to be overturned. I hope the President steps in and stop this.”
Yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the removal of Audrey Jardine-Waddell from the post of Director-General. The Ministry also announced that the government has decided to “bring to an end the services of a number of heads of mission, especially those who might have enjoyed an extended tenure of duty beyond the official limit.”
The Ministry noted, “As it is well known, the tenure of an Ambassador runs to approximately three to five years. However, for a variety of reasons and factors, some of our Ambassadors have been abroad for as long as two decades. This situation has become an impediment to other younger and rising Foreign Service Officers whose performance and professional competence might require that they should be appointed to the summit of the Foreign Service.”
The Foreign Ministry added that an announcement on the recall would be made in due course.
Guyana Standard understands that the decision to recall ambassadors is a “smokescreen.” Sources say, “this decision is one to justify letting go of Jardine-Waddell. And the excuse for young blood is just one to play on the emotions of young supporters.”
An examination of the current diplomats reveals that only two of those who served as PPP ambassadors have been reappointed by the APNU+AFC administration. These two career diplomats are Bayney Karran and George Talbot. All others have been serving four years or less.
Also, even though Karran and Talbot were serving pre-2015, neither of the two remained at their positions held under the PPP. They were both reposted. “So no diplomat has been serving in one position for more than five years.”
Guyana Standard has been able to confirm that up to the time of publication, none of the ambassadors who served for more than 20 years received notices of termination.
PROBLEMATIC
Guyana Standard was told that the Ministry has obviously not taken careful thought of the decisions it made recently. Regarding the pending recall, there are several issues to consider. For instance, Cabinet has not approved any funds to repatriate these ambassadors and their families. And, the repatriation process can extend way beyond a month.
Also, a major issue to be considered is the fact that the APNU+AFC administration is indeed carrying a caretaker status. Before the appointments of ambassadors can be made final, the country to which the diplomat is to be posted has to approve. It is now a worry that many may not approve appointments suggested by a government that is carrying a caretaker status, especially with elections months away.
Many, including the ABC countries, have a rigorous process for Foreign Service appointments. The system in the United States for appointments has been regarded as “long and complicated,” while the system in Britain has been described as “tight.”
Even if certain countries allow reappointment, the process is likely to take three months and that is in circumstances where there are no particular problems or concerns about the pending appointment. In such instances where the appointments are not confirmed by the host country, the chargé d’affaires will heave to act as head of mission.
In Guyana’s circumstances, many of the chargé d’affaires, who will be forced to act as heads of missions are not experienced, diplomats. Therefore, if ambassadors are recalled now, Guyana can very well end up without a healthy Foreign Service.
Guyana Standard’s source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “It is unheard of, you simply cannot fire your ambassadors without arrangements to replace them.”
The source was also keen to note, “Only the President can appoint ambassadors and therefore, only he can remove the ambassadors. Many of us at the Ministry are wondering if it is the President who made the decision to recall the ambassadors. From all indications, it was not him.”
