SVG’s next Permanent Representative to UN will be female – PM

The next permanent representative to the United Nations from St Vincent and the Grenadines will be a female.{{more}}

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves gave this clue last Friday, as he briefed the media on upcoming appointments abroad and at home, during a press conference at Cabinet room.

Not giving any more clues about the identity of the person who would be replacing outgoing permanent representative Camillo Gonsalves at the New York based office, the Prime Minister said that Vincentians would not have to wait too long before the announcement is made.

Gonsalves also said that the names of the three new senators to replace Elvis Charles, Dr Douglas Slater and David Browne will be announced before the next sitting of the House of Assembly on September 10.

“I will write to His Excellency (Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne) quite soon, indicating that these three persons have indicated that they had demitted, and that the three new persons should be appointed from the first of September as senators,” Gonsalves told the media.

“Then these who would get any portfolios in the state administration will be sworn in at Government House by the Governor General even before the next Parliament date on the 10th,” Gonsalves said.

The Prime Minister did not confirm whether the predictions of two of the three senators, in the Weekend edition of SEARCHLIGHT on August 16 were on target, but pointed out that it is only a matter of time before it is revealed if the publication was correct.

Based on a source, SEARCHLIGHT predicted that two of the senators will be former UN permanent representative Camillo Gonalves and Unity Labour Party 2010 East Kingstown candidate Luke Browne, with the third individual not yet known.

In relation to the new UN permanent representative, Gonsalves said that he had already written to Sir Frederick for the person to be appointed to the position, but he was not ready to reveal the identity of the individual, as he is awaiting the letter of appointment from Sir Frederick.

The last female ambassador to the United Nations was Margaret Ferrari, who preceeded Camillo Gonsalves in office.(JJ)