Ned Brown | What Ambassador Tapia might accomplish

It has not been a good last two weeks for wealthy American businessmen who contributed to the Trump inauguration celebration (now under investigation by the New York State attorney general). Hotelier Gordon Sondland contributed US $1 million and got the plum post of ambassador to the European Union. It could also get him an indictment from the US Justice Department that he lied to the US Congress over Ukraine money for political favours investigation targeting President Trump.

Donald Tapia donated US$100,000, and that got him a coveted post in Jamaica. Ambassador Tapia might be in his current position for only 14 months if President Trump does not get re-elected. So what might Ambassador Tapia accomplish during that time that benefits Jamaica and the US?

Before we can discuss specific projects, the first issue is, who does Ambassador Tapia speak to within the US State Department? The officer ranks at State in DC have been decimated, so there really isn’t anyone within the Western Hemisphere Department for him to deal with.

PROPOSED AREAS OF FOCUS

Sondland, in his post, went directly to President Trump or Rudy Giuliani, which got him into a heap of trouble. My suggestion to Ambassador Tapia is to pick up the phone and call members of Congress on issues and projects where they have congressional oversight. He might even do regular meetings with the members, and ask Jamaica’s Ambassador Audrey Marks to join him.

So what might be the areas Ambassador Tapia should focus on?

Electric power generation: Ambassador Tapia started an electrical-supply company in Arizona. He certainly understands power generation and infrastructure. He can reach out to the Energy Department directly. Invite Secretary of Energy Governor Rick Perry, who will be leaving the department shortly, down to Jamaica for several winter months to help with this issue. Get the governor a house in Tryall to use, which got its start in 1959 with a wealthy group of Texans.

US H-2B visas for Jamaican workers: The allocation of worker visas is coming up shortly, and the US Embassy can smooth the way to ensure that Jamaicans get the necessary permits.

Neonatal and early childhood healthcare: Ambassador Tapia should engage Health Minister Chris Tufton to see what programmes and resources can be brought from the US to help Jamaican mothers and their children. He will get lots of support in Congress for these efforts, and Tufton already has good relations on his own with many members.

I could go on, but those three initiatives critical to the Jamaican people, and Jamaica as a whole, are a good place to start for Ambassador Tapia to stay focused and be productive over the next 14 months.

Ned Brown is a Washington, DC, political consultant and author, and is currently completing a book on Jamaican tourism from 1947-1962. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.