(A GINA feature) The year 2015 proved to be a challenging one for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Guyana was however, able to formulate its foreign policy position in a manner consistent with its interest.THE VENEZUELA THREATDuring the year, Venezuela’s challenge to Guyana’s territorial sovereignty heightened. This??saw a concerted diplomatic effort to counter the neighbouring country’s unjust moves of deliberately refusing to honour an international treaty, to which it is a party, and a decision which they accepted.In pursuit of garnering support internationally, extensive work was done with bilateral and multilateral partners during 2015. Additionally, the United Nations Secretary General was called upon to assist in resolving the border controversy.??As a result, a number of high – level meetings were held with representatives, both from Guyana and Venezuela which resulted on the embarking of a process which will see the Secretary General identifying an amicable means of going forward.??These are preliminary measures as Guyana has stated its explicit position, that is, to resort to the International Court of Justice as a means of definitively bringing to an end the border controversy which has plagued Guyana for far too long.STRENGTHENING THE MINISTRYThe year 2015 also saw efforts being made to strengthen the administrative arrangements within the Ministry. A number of persons who were qualified, and employed within the Ministry and who were not posted, such a situation was rectified This was done to ensure that each diplomat not only has the academic requirements, but also the professional experience needed to properly represent the ministry and by extension Guyana.CHANGING OF HEADS OF MISSIONSAnother aspect of strengthening the ministry’s administrative arrangements saw the process to change the Heads of Mission including the Consuls Generals being initiated. The process firstly seeks the identification of possible appointees and?Cabinet’s clearance on the candidates whilst simultaneously notifying the host country of the likely candidates and seeking clearance for them. This process can take up to three months just to vet, assuming that they are no added questions on the likely candidates.The Consul General has community obligations to attend and participate in a number of events involving Guyana and interfacing with opinion forming elements within the community such as Universities, Research Institutes, as well as Guyanese and Caribbean Associations of various sorts.BOOSTING SKILLSAdditionally, efforts were made to supplement the existing skills within the ministry having a team of former ambassadors who would have worked in some of the key areas, to provide a litmus test for some of the policies that come out of the ministry. This will work in tandem with the restructuring of the ministry along with the revisiting of the number of areas assigned.Further, the Foreign Services Institute was reactivated to deliver professional expertise to diplomats, as it will draw upon the available skills of former seasoned ambassadors.INTERNATIONAL POLICYAttention was also placed on the furtherance of the international policy which saw representation at the Caribbean Community,Cheap Wholesale NFL Jerseys, Commonwealth and other Heads of Government meetings which focus on international cooperation.Guyanese diplomats also participated and contributed in a prominent way by either chairing or organising international meetings such as the Post – 2015 Economic Agenda where Ambassador George Talbot played a significant role.The ministry worked towards resolving issues in MERCUSOR which is a regional integration movement outside of CARICOM, and pertaining to the World Trade Organisation and the trade obligations of Guyana. This saw Guyanese diplomats answering questions raised by trading partners as to the way forward regarding issues on trade cooperation.Work in the context of the European Union (EU) and the African Caribbean and Pacific Group (ACP) of States with whom Guyana collaborates and pursues a number of issues, which includes the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) arrangements, also continued during 2015.The end of 2015 saw major international events which proved most important on the international sphere, the first being the WTO round which was an attempt to conclude the DOHA round by trying to put in place a framework that will see the removal of trade barriers. This framework would be removed in a way that will give priority to the requirements as outlined by developing countries.December 2015 also saw the conference on the environment (COP 21) which was an area in which Secretary General Ban Ki-moon played a critical role, and in which Guyana has a very important interest. This saw Guyana contributing to the preparation and negotiations in Paris with other Ministries that have sectoral responsibility for the environment.ACHIEVEMENTSAs sign

The fact that Regional Chairman for Region 10 Mortimer Mingo was not present on A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU) centre stage for the rally held in Linden on Saturday is nothing to shout about.This is according to several officials downplaying his role in the rally held in Linden despite the fact that up to a fortnight ago he was the Campaign Manager for the APNU’s activities in that region.Mingo was present at Saturday’s rally but apparently opted to ‘stay in the shadows,Wholesale Authentic Jerseys,’ unlike on previous occasions where he was being featured prominently, inclusive of the line-up of speakers.Leader of the Peoples National Congress Reform (PNCR) Robert Corbin says that the speakers that were put forward represent a national pitch and the fact that Mingo was absent does not say much.Substantive action as it relates to the internal measures that were supposed to have been taken by the party in terms of a potentially controversial disclosure that was made regarding Mingo and a house lot in the infamous ‘Pradoville II’ is yet to be taken.He said that the APNU will not be distracted by the Mingo/Pradoville hullaballoo because they are focused on removing the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic from Office.Corbin told this publication that what he will reiterate is that Mingo is a committed member of the PNC/R and is a loyal supporter of APNU.Speaking with this newspaper yesterday Executive member of the APNU and potential Prime Ministerial Candidate Dr Rupert Roopnarine said that he is clear that the APNU issued no directive that would have prohibited Mingo from speaking at the rally.According to Dr Roopnarine,Jerseys NFL Wholesale, he was also not aware of any resignation (as Campaign Manager for Region 10) letter from Mingo nor was any such letter accepted.Dr Roopnarine posited that he believes Mingo was just opting to have a low profile.Embattled Regional Chairman,Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic, Mortimer MingoMeanwhile this publication understands that all may not be well in the opposition Camp as it relates to Mingo.Credible sources close to the issue opine that Mingo was merely guilty of not fully disclosing the dealing as it relates to the house lot before things blew out of proportion.In his defence, some in the hierarchy of the APNU particularly in the PNCR faction say that Mingo merely received an offer he thought was being made to his Regional Colleagues but when he realized this was not the case he promptly ensured that he did not fall into the trap.The official opined too that the issue is merely being used as a smokescreen like an electioneering tactic of a political campaign.But others in the APNU Executive reportedly aren’t as dismissive and forgiving and had complained and urged that Mingo be placed outside of the limelight until the election blows over.Mingo has in the past denied receiving any land in the controversial ‘Pradoville II.’He had issued a press statement subsequent to the allegations where he advised that Dr Roger Luncheon had called him around August 2010 and had informed him that the Government of Guyana was in the process of allocating house lots at Sparendaam,nfl jerseys china, East Coast Demerara.It was disclosed that the land was being given to senior Government functionaries and Regional Chairmen and that he (Mingo) was identified as one of the persons for a house lot.According to that statement, Mingo was informed that he would be contacted later about the allocation.Mingo said that he later contacted his lawyer and told him about Luncheon’s offer. He said in a statement, “I was advised that I acknowledge the offer and wait to see what and how I would proceed with the offer.”Mingo had added that since that phone call he never heard from Dr Luncheon or anyone concerning the said plot of land.The chairman said that he has not signed any agreement or condition of sale or paid any money for any land at Sparendaam.Mingo further stated that he has never received any lease, title or transport for the said land. In fact, the Regional Chairman said that he has never even seen the said plot of land.The Central Housing and Planning Authority in response to Mingo’s position released photocopies of a cheque that Mingo had given to the Ministry.It revealed that Mingo, of Lot 45, Topira Crescent, Richmond Hill, Linden, issued the $1,500,Wholesale NFL Jerseys China,500 cheque to the Central Housing and Planning Authority on September 3, 2010.However, according to the documents released by the HousingMinistry, the cheque subsequently ‘bounced.’After this,Wholesale NFL Jerseys Online, Mingo acknowledged that the cheque was indeed his.The Region Ten Chairman said tha

Long Island, NY, US –A Guyanese young mom found burned in her Long Island home on Monday may have been stabbed first after arguing with her husband about his arrest on a sex-abuse rap, police said Tuesday.Loventino Cassadean, 49, who is charged with killing his 22-year-old bride Felicia, was busted in April for a third-degree criminal sex act,NFL Jerseys China, the New York Daily News reported yesterday.Charged: Loventino Cassadean (left) and Felicia CassadeanNo details of the case were released but “we’re being told by individuals that there is an ongoing dispute possibly due to this prior arrest,” Nassau County Police Det. Lt. John Azzata said.The wife was not the victim in the earlier case.A mother of two children under the age of five, Felicia Cassadean was found dead and badly burned in her smoke-filled Freeport home early Monday morning.Her much-older husband – who met her when she living in a Catholic home for unwed moms — was picked up by cops on a nearby street. He is said to also be from Guyana,NFL Jerseys Wholesale, US media reports said yesterday.“He’s given statements to the fact that he’s had some involvement,” Azzata said.Cassadean was stone-faced and silent as cops walked him to a patrol car. He pleaded not guilty in First District Court in Hempstead and was held without bail.An autopsy will determine the cause of Felicia’s death, but Azzata said she was stabbed. It’s unclear if the fire was set to cover up the stabbing.Her father — who threw her out of the house when she got pregnant at 15, she said — identified her body at the medical examiner’s office.He declined to speak but an uncle, Anthony Ram,Wholesale Jerseys USA, said the family had no inkling of domestic trouble before the slaying.“Like every marriage, I guess they had difficulty. We didn’t know much about it,” he said.“We never saw any bad side of him at all. He was very well-spoken, very soft spoken,Cheap Jerseys Store,” Ram added. “There are a lot of things we don’t know about him.”The suspect was a divorced dad when he married Felicia. They got hitched two years ago and she had a second child.Both children were visiting her mother in Guyana when she was killed.The couple was about to be evicted from their apartment after failing to pay rent since March. Public records show Cassadean had a string of tax warrants and bankruptcy in his past.Felicia, who was taking pharmacology classes at Farmingdale State College,Agustin Marchesin Jersey, was about to start a new job this week.“Felicia was very young, very beautiful girl. Very ambitious. She was very independent. She had two wonderful kids. She was trying to make a better life for them,” Ram said.“Things were looking good for her,China Jerseys Free Shipping, this is a shock.”