Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Christopher Sinckler are carrying out a sweeping assessment of all of Barbados’ overseas postings and more diplomats are set to be moved.
Sinckler revealed the review as he confirmed the recall of New York consul general Lorenzo Harewood, making it clear that New York was not a one-off move.
“Prime Minister Mottley and I have been doing an ongoing assessment of postings – both political appointees and professional staff – over the past months and relooking what the country requires in terms of the human and financial resources available to the administration to achieve the foreign policy and consulate services objectives of the country,” he stated.
“This has and will inevitably lead to adjustments in postings across the service. The New York Consulate is one, but not the only one to be affected. Some have already occurred and others are likely.”
In Harewood’s case, Sinckler, a Senior Minister, said that “we have determined that the adjustments should be done at this time”. He added that “in due course, Barbadians at home and in New York will be notified of the new consul general designated when the Prime Minister has advised the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade who that person is”.
Sinckler, who is in Turkey attending the COP31 (31st session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) with Mottley, sought to reassure the diaspora that the changes were not personal, and that recalls were part of normal diplomatic practice.
‘Not unusual’ “It should be noted that the process of recall and replacement of diplomatic and consular personnel is not unusual and happens periodically. Appointees are always advised as such when offers are made.”
He acknowledged the close bonds Harewood had formed in New York and said Government valued those ties.
“We are mindful and respectful of the fact that members of the diaspora as well as professional colleagues will develop respectful attachments and close working relationships with officers at all levels. This is a good thing as it allows for congenial working relationships that advance the interests of Barbados and Barbadians alike. We encourage such partnerships.
“We equally appreciate and respect the desire of some to have these relations continue for as long as possible. However, from time to time adjustments have to be made,” he noted.
“The former consul general has made a valuable contribution to the advancement of the priorities of the administration and the interests of the diaspora over the two-and-a-half years that he has served. We thank him for his efforts and, of course, wish him well as he transitions from this particular role to future endeavours.”
On Monday, after hearing that Harewood had been recalled, Barbadians in New York took to social media to vent about the action, with some calling him the best consul general New York ever had.
A petition was also created to submit to Mottley outlining the good things he had done and asking for the decision to be rescinded. Up to yesterday evening, it had 182 of the 200 signatures it was seeking to achieve.
It is also understood that a group held a meeting on Thursday night to further discuss the matter. (MB)
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