Saint Lucia’s Foreign Minister to New Heads of Missions: Obtain Tangible Benefits for Saint Lucia – This is Not a Holiday.
Minister for External Affairs, International Trade, Civil Aviation and Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Alva Baptiste, has told Saint Lucia’s newly appointed heads of Missions that they are being sent out to obtain tangible and measurable benefits and results for Saint Lucia. Speaking during an opening address at an Orientation Workshop for the new diplomats, held at the Bay Gardens Inn on Friday 11th January, Hon. Baptiste cautioned the diplomats that they were not going on a holiday.
“As we close this opening session, I urge all participants – and in particular the Heads of Diplomatic Missions, to listen and learn – so that you can perform and be productive. You are being sent out as a diplomat to obtain tangible and measurable benefits and results for Saint Lucia. This is not a holiday, it is not a vacation, it is not a cool-out and it is not a lime. I know that you are going out there to work hard and bring back benefits for Saint Lucia, and I know that there will be moments when you punctuate your heavy agenda with some rest but you will be judged by performance.”
The Minister went on to advise that the diplomats would be judged by how they fulfilled set targets.
“The targets will be set and we expect on a yearly basis when I am clothed with the important trust of giving an accounting in the House of the people to the performance of the Ministry I can speak to targets set and of course achievement of those targets. Of course, for your hard work, you should enjoy the pomp and ceremony where necessary, but I know these are never going to be your overriding objectives. You will also be afforded privileges and immunities, which must never be abused. Conduct yourselves on the high plane of dignity and discipline, be ethical and respectful in all your dealings.
The Foreign Minister then went on to compliment the diplomats, saying that the Philip J Pierre administration had assembled “ a fine team of men and women to navigate this rapidly changing global environment and I know you have the structural integrity to navigate it with relative ease.”
The workshop was the first of its kind to be held for Saint Lucia’s newly appointed Ambassadors and Consuls General. These are: High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Non-Resident Ambassador to the Republic of France, Anthony Severin; Ambassador to the United States of America and Permanent Representative to the Organisation of American States, (OAS), Mrs. Elizabeth Darius-Clarke; Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Menissa Rambally; Ambassador to the Republic of China (Taiwan), Dr. Robert Lewis, Ambassador to the Republic of Cuba, Dr. Charles Isaac; Non Resident Ambassador to the United Mexican States, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) , Peter Lansiquot; Consul General in Toronto, Canada, Henry Mangal and Consul General in New York, Jeremiah Hyacinth.
Its a pity you’re not the Prime Minister, you’ve got the good looks and the present P.M. don’t look like he’s up to the job; here’s the thing: looks like, the problem is with this job its over his head, he don’t look like he has any understanding of international politics, economic, monetary or foreign policy or world influence experience; at a time such as this, the people want reassurance.
St. Lucia needs leadership, PjP comes across like a little lamb trying to find his way to the top. Don’t think I don’t like the guy, but he dose nothing to excite anyone. St. Lucia needs a saviour, so Father god, you can do it.
Wow, you are a piece of work. God is looking out for us because this guy is not the PM.