Several persons have recently been recommended to Cabinet to take up different diplomatic positions overseas.
Minister with responsibility for Foreign Affairs, Sir Louis Straker made the disclosure to WEFM via telephone today.
Minister Straker said that Ellsworth John, former Ambassador to CARICOM and head of the Regional Integration and Diaspora Unit, will replace Dexter Rose, as SVG’s Ambassador to Cuba.
His Wife, Charmane Tappin-John will also serve in Cuba, as Minister Consular.
Dexter Rose and his wife will be rotated back to St. Vincent & the Grenadines.
“In the United Nations, Rhonda King would remain there” – Straker said.
“In Washington DC, the Ambassador to Washington DC would be Lou-Anne Gilchrist, who is now the Chief Education Officer. She would also be the Permanent Representative to the organization of American States (OAS) and of course, the non-resident High Commissioner to Canada” – he added.
Minister Straker said that in New York, Howie Prince, Director of the National Emergency Organization (NEMO) will be the new Counsel General and Selmon Walters, will be coming back home.
“Those are the appointments we are likely to see in the next couple months, after the Public Service Commission has made its recommendations to the Governor General and we hope the governor General will appoint the new people there to their positions” – Straker outlined.
Straker, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said the reason for the changes include the fact the most of the persons who are now being replaced have been in their positions for years.
“When they leave here, they get a contract for two years and we have been renewing their contracts and we feel that it is time to have a rotation… have new blood in the positions” – Straker said.
First Published WEFM