Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Lilian Chaterjee has refused to comment on an ongoing investigation into an alleged breach of protocol involving one of her Officers.
“It is not the Canadian High Commission’s practice to comment on Consular cases involving Canadian citizens,” the Diplomat told reporters on the sidelines of the Guyana Police Officers’ Conference at State House Thursday morning.
The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has launched an investigation into the alleged breach of security protocol at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport on December 22, 2018, involving a Mission Security Officer of the High Commission of Canada, Mr. Richard Beliveau.
Mr. Beliveau reportedly escorted former Parliamentarian, Charrandass Persaud to his LIAT flight #LI 392 when he fled the Guyana one day after voting in favour of a No-Confidence Motion against his Government in the National Assembly.
Persaud is also a Canadian citizen.
Reports are that there was a breach in protocol when a security pass was also issued to Mr. Peter Ramsaroop, a known affiliate of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), to also accompany Persaud to the airport’s departure lounge.
Pressed on the matter, the High Commissioner told reporters that “Canada has enjoyed very close relations with Guyana and we hope that will continue.”
“I have no further comments,” she added.
The Canadian High Commissioner, however, confirmed that she met with Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge on the matter on Wednesday.
On this matter as well, she offered no comments.
In a statement on Monday, the Ogle Airport Inc. (OAI) maintained that there was no breach of protocol.
The OAI claims that “Mr. Ramsaroop was issued with a pass in accordance with an established courtesy practice since he said he was part of Mr. Beliveau’s party.”
The airport authority contended that the men were subjected to full and complete screening before entering the Departure Lounge in accordance with the requirements of the Aviation Security Programme approved by the GCAA.
However, the GCAA has directed the authorities at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport to suspend the issuance of Protocol Passes “until this system is further reviewed.”
Ramsaroop was also seen escorting Persaud from the National Assembly on the night of December 21 after the vote.
