Dear Editor,

Attorney General Marlene Malahoo Forte’s tweet essentially spoke to disrespect vis-a-vis Jamaica’s laws. Red herrings thrown in by others should not be allowed to confuse us. She deserves the highest commendation and support for the bold stance she took regarding the brazen and highly disrespectful flying and parading of the gay flag at the US Embassy in Jamaica.

Undoubtedly, Jamaicans sincerely sympathise, given the unfortunate loss of the 49 human lives in the US at the hands of a misguided gunman. Opportunity should not be seized to advance the gay agenda, and fly the gay flag in Jamaica, in utter disregard of Jamaicans, our laws, mores, and sensibilities.

It should be borne in mind too that international law (per the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961 Article 41) requires that embassy personnel respect the laws and regulations of the host State and not interfere in its internal affairs. It is desirable not to violate either the letter or spirit of this law.

The attorney general is absolutely correct. Her tweet did not question any right to fly flags at an embassy. Some have confused US embassy premises being “inviolable”, (Article 22), with it being “sovereign territory” of the US (which it is not), or it being “regarded as part of US soil”. However, it is accepted that, in various respects, it is as if a US/foreign country embassy is on US/foreign country soil. Nevertheless, can you imagine, for instance, that in support of, say, reducing global warming, or another deemed worthy cause, that the US would for days have its female staff dressed and paraded in bikinis on the grounds of their embassies, in full public view, in countries such as Saudi Arabia, where such dressing would be quite contrary to the female dress code in those countries?

Don’t miss the diss, or worse will follow. Respect due. Always.

Anthony Barnes

Red Hills, St Andrew

barnsea03@hotmail.com