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The Government is denying that there’s a purported “diplomatic row” seemingly festering between Washington DC and Kingston over Jamaica’s reported refusal to accredit the same-sex spouse of an American diplomat.
“There is no diplomatic spat, or as the media reported, diplomatic row, between Jamaica and the United States, as we continue to enjoy strong and positive diplomatic relations,” said Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, Robert Morgan, who has responsibility for information.
“… And the US (United States) would have echoed the same sentiments in their presentation,” he added.
Morgan was alluding to a seeming response from the US Embassy in Jamaica to the media coverage of the alleged dispute between its country and Jamaica.
The embassy stressed that both countries “continue to enjoy close ties based on shared values, trade, culture, tourism, and a vibrant diaspora community in the United States”, in an Instagram post on Tuesday.
In a carry-over of the developments on Wednesday, Morgan reiterated the Andrew Holness-led Administration’s position at a post-Cabinet meeting, hours after Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Kamina Johnson Smith issued a release in which she also denied allegations of any “diplomatic row” between the US and Jamaica.
Minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister Robert Morgan (File photo)
Reading from Johnson Smith’s statement, Morgan said:
In accordance with diplomatic practice and within the ambit of Jamaica’s Constitution, Jamaica grants privileges and immunities to incoming diplomats, their staff, and families to either reside in or visit the country.
All requests made to the foreign ministry are considered within this context. Members of staff from both countries continue to reside and work in each other’s territory and are expected to observe the laws of their host country.
Reports surfaced Monday of a purported dispute souring diplomatic relations between the two traditional allies.
Allegations are that earlier this year, the US Government wrote to the Jamaican Government seeking its approval for the married partner of a diplomat about to be posted to Jamaica and who is in a same-sex relationship to be given diplomatic immunity and all the privileges of a diplomat.
It’s reported that the Jamaican Government did not respond to the request in a timely manner. Jamaica does not recognise same-sex unions under its constitution.
Morgan noted Wednesday that the foreign affairs minister stressed that Jamaica has always complied with procedures and set term limits for the length of stay of diplomats within the US.
That appears to be in response to a suggestion in the local media that three of Jamaica’s diplomats would not reportedly receive an extension of their five-year diplomatic visas when they expire shortly.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade has complied with these procedures (relative to diplomatic visas) and has, in fact, conducted its customary rotation exercise,” said Morgan, in reading from Johnson Smith’s statement.
“Heads of Jamaican missions in the United States whose tenure will come naturally to an end later this year are already preparing for their transition,” he added.
On the matter of the current relationship between Jamaica and the US, the island’s foreign affairs minister, as quoted by Morgan, said both countries will continue their seamless diplomatic relationship.
Morgan elaborated: “The Government of Jamaica recognises the importance of maintaining the traditions and practices of diplomacy, which have long ensured a seamless relationship with the diplomatic community and supported vibrant and admirable relations with the United States for over 60 years.
“The people-to-people relations between Jamaica and the United States have been a most successful area of cooperation, and we look forward to their continuation,” he said.
When pressed by reporters as to whether Jamaica had requested an extension for three of its diplomats in the US beyond their five-year term, Morgan said he could only provide the information given to him by the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
He noted, too, that he cannot speculate on any suggestion relative to that matter.
“We saw information in the media of what is classified as a diplomatic row. I engaged with the minister and also the ministry, and they provided me with a statement to say that there is not a row,” he explained.
“In the general engagement between countries, there will not always be agreements on 100 per cent of matters,” Morgan emphasised.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy said, as of August 2021, diplomats from all worldwide bilateral missions to the US are accredited for a maximum of five years.
“At the conclusion of the five-year period, in the absence of a waiver approved by the (US State) Department, the diplomats are expected to end their tour with the bilateral mission and depart the United States.
“Ambassadors, chargés d’affaires and deputy chiefs of mission are exempt from the five-year accreditation policy,” the embassy said in a post on Instagram on Tuesday.
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