Dear Editor,

The furore raised by the announcement of the resignation of the Jamaican ambassador to Washington omitted some important considerations. As the ambassador herself admitted, it is conventional protocol for diplomatic representatives who serve at the pleasure of the government to submit their resignations to a new government. Sometimes the resignation is accepted. Other times it is not.

Jamaica has a tradition of long-serving ambassadors in Washington and that makes eminent good sense, for it takes a long time to establish proper effective diplomatic contacts in Washington. Presenting credentials to the president of the USA is only the first step. It takes a long time to break into the political system in Washington, and changing an ambassador in an election year in the USA is just not a smart move as any new appointee will have a hard time getting any attention before the November general election. An old hand might know how to set up meetings but with a new person it will be far more difficult. To her credit the present Jamaican ambassador made the transition quickly and smoothly. And by all accounts she has been a tremendous asset to her country.

Some of the most effective Jamaican ambassadors in Washington served long enough to be deans of the Caribbean Diplomatic Corps. Deans are usually the longest-serving representative and efficacy derives from the coincidence.

Damon Livingston

Washington DC

USA

  0 comments

  2 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  1 comments

  0 comments

  3 comments

  2 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  2 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  1 comments

  0 comments