Former gov't minister appointed St Vincent consul general

NEW YORK, CMC:

After 15 months without a Consul General in New York, the Ralph Gonsalves administration in St Vincent and the Grenadines has filled the post with the appointment of a former minister of government.

Selmon Walters, a former Member of Parliament for the South Central Windward Constituency, has been approved by Cabinet to take up the post, effective February 1.

United States Ambassador La Celia Prince confirmed Walter's appointment, without elaboration.

Speculation was rife that the administration had delayed announcing the appointment until completion of last month's general elections.

Walters - who held the portfolios of minister of social development, cooperatives, the family, gender and ecclesiastical affairs, and rural transformation, information, postal services and ecclesiastical affairs - did not contest the December poll.

He replaces the first official Consul General in New York, Cosmus Cozier, a former banker, who retired in August 2009. Cozier, an ex-parliamentarian, had held that post from December 2001.

When the incumbent Unity Labour Party (ULP) first assumed power, following the 2001 elections, it created a separate Consulate General, splitting the mission to the United Nations. Previously, the mission was also responsible for consular affairs.

Observers in New York had surmised that deputy New York Consul General Cyril 'Scorcher' Thomas would replace Cozier, but Thomas gave no hint of such desire when contacted by the Caribbean Media Corporation.

He, however, disclosed he is "under contract until April 2011," adding that the hiring of the new consul general "has had no impact" on his decision to continue to serve St Vincent and the Grenadines or to retire.

Thomas said if Prime Minister Gonsalves deems him "fit to extend" his tenure of service, he will "humbly accept his generous gesture".

"If another worthy Vincentian is tapped for the position, I will give him/her my blessing, and thank God and the Comrade [Gonsalves] for granting me the chance of a lifetime to serve on the frontline for my beloved country," said Thomas, who is also a renowned calypsonian.

Stellar record of service

He applauded Walters for his "long and stellar record of service," stating that he is "suitable to handle the various challenges that come with the position of consul general".

Cozier said Walters will "do well" in his new role.

"I think he's well-suited for the position," he told CMC, before leaving for London, where he was expected to be personally conferred with the Member of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II.

"He has experience in government, and he understands the civil service," added Cozier, referring to Walters. "So that should serve him in good stead".