Sam Hinds says will take up US Ambassador post once it is confirmed

Former President and long-serving Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds has confirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has written to the authorities in the United States to officially appoint him as Ambassador to the US.

Speaking with the News Room on Tuesday, Mr Hinds referred to the “leak” of his appointment and noted that it was “premature.”

As he explained, even though Guyana’s Foreign Ministry has officially written the US, no agrément has been returned, which is the agreement by a State to receive members of a diplomatic mission from a foreign country.

Mr Hinds said that the process, as he understands it, can take up to three months. As such, he reiterated that he will not be able to fully comment on the posting until such time that it is confirmed on both ends.

The former Prime Minister noted that he is now awaiting word from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation confirming the appointment. He will replace incumbent, Riyad Insanally who has held the post since September 16, 2016.

Mr Hinds, who served as President for a brief period following the death of President Cheddi Jagan in 1997, held the portfolio as Prime Minister from 1992 to 2015.

Meanwhile, Charrandass Persaud has also been tipped to become the new High Commissioner to India. There has also been no word on whether India has accepted him. If accepted, he will replace Dr David Goldwin Pollard.

High Commissioner Pollard is concurrently accredited to India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.