Canada asked to explain “Breaches of protocol”

– Guyana approaches Canada for explanation

– meets with High Commissioner

– both parties working to reach satisfactory conclusion

DPI, Guyana, Saturday, January 12, 2019

Guyana has formally approached the Canadian High Commission in Georgetown seeking explanation regarding certain breaches of protocol.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in keeping with normal diplomatic procedures, a Note was sent to the High Commission and meetings were subsequently held.

The Note was dispatched on Monday January 7. This was followed by meeting with the Canadian High Commissioner on Wednesday January 9 and Friday January 11, according to the ministry.

A release from the ministry states that it is duty bound to seek clarification on reports of breaches of diplomatic protocol by a foreign mission.

The matter is in relation to reports that there was a breach in protocol at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport on the morning of December 22, 2018.

According to a report submitted by the Airport Duty Officer at the time of the incident, Peter Ramsaroop, Advisor to the Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, in the company of Canadian Diplomat, Richard Beliveau, requested a protocol pass to access the tarmac of the airport, to escort recalled Member of Parliament, Charrandass Persaud to his departing flight for Canada.

Persaud, who has also been expelled from the Alliance For Change was, on the day in question, a passenger on LIAT flight #LI 392 which departed the Eugene F. Correia International Airport at 06:17hrs for Barbados.

In the meantime, the ministry says the matter in ongoing and it continues to work with the Canadian High Commission to ensure that the matter reaches a satisfactory conclusion.

Felecia Valenzuela.

Image: Department of Public Information.