– says Guyana’s reputation tarnished by false blogging
The government of St Maarten has flayed a blog report in that country which made numerous damning allegations about the consular services being provided by Guyana to its citizens living on the island.
In a statement, the St Maarten government said it had taken note of a press release from the government of Guyana expressing concern over allegations in a news blog discrediting both the consul general to Barbados, Michael Brotherson, and the interim director of the Department of Foreign Relations for St Maarten.
According to St Maarten’s government, in the absence of a consular representative, Brotherson was given full authorisation by the Guyana Foreign Affairs Ministry to conduct consular duties, representing the interest of the Guyanese residents on St Maarten.
“All necessary protocols with regard to accreditation were followed including due process by both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guyana and the Directorate of Foreign Relations of Country St Maarten,” the St Maarten statement said.
The island’s government regrets that Guyana’s “name is being tarnished by irresponsible blogging. The consular activities by Mr Brotherson were executed in total conformity with the applicable procedures on the basis of a request by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guyana. As a country, St Maarten is obliged to treat consular officials of other countries with courtesies and protection afforded to all such personnel on the basis of the Vienna Convention.”
Due process followed
According to the St Maarten government, the falsehoods contained in the story on the blog site, could have seriously jeopardised the relationship between Guyana and St Maarten, based on articles of the Vienna Convention on consular relations.
The government of Guyana has also stated that it will issue a letter of warning to the blogger and legal action could result if no heed is taken.
Noting that a breach of the Vienna Convention is a serious issue, the government of St Maarten said it will not accept any individual or group compromising the name of St Maarten for personal reasons.
“The government of St Maarten again stresses that due diligence was followed in the matter related to consular activities of Guyana on St Maarten.”
The local Foreign Affairs Ministry has issued a statement that all consular fees, as fixed by itself, were processed in accordance with the financial regulations of the government, with the required government receipts issued.
“The government of St Maarten is concerned with these incidents of false “news” stories, baseless allegations, and unfounded damaging reports, which circulate on this so-called news blog. While the government of St Maarten is all for ensuring and respecting the freedom of the press and appreciates the role the media plays in informing the public, the media, too, has to operate within the framework of professional and ethical journalism and respect for the rights of others.”
