THE MONTHLY GLEANER | AUGUST 3 - SEPTEMBER 2, 2023 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS 8 Lester Hinds/Gleaner Writer NEW YORK: J AMAICAN COMMUNITY leaders in the diaspora are calling for the governments of United States and Jamaican to diplomatically fix any issue that may have arisen between both countries over the granting of diplomatic immunity to the same-sex partner of a new diplomat being assigned to the island. Irwine Clare, head of the Queensbased Caribbean Immigration Services and Team Jamaica Bickle, said that, given the longstanding relationships between the two countries, any disagreement should be fixed by both parties sitting around a table and discussing the issue. “They should be able to resolve this issue, regardless of moral or personal positions and it should not be a tit-fortat situation,” said Clare. He described the reports of the disagreement between both countries as unfortunate. “We live in a changing world and norms that are accepted in one country may not be acceptable in another, but the relationship built up over many years should not be harmed. It is readily fixable and we have the necessary skilled people to do so,” said Clare. Social media has been abuzz over the past week after news broke that Jamaica had decided not to grant diplomatic immunity to the same-sex partner of a new diplomat being posted by the US to Jamaica. The reports further stated that, given Jamaica’s stance, the US State Department had advised that diplomatic visas for some high-ranking Jamaican diplomats currently serving in the US would not be renewed at the end of the current five-year term. ACCREDITED FOR FIVE YEARS However, the State Department, in a post on social media, said that, as of August 2021, diplomats from all worldwide bilateral missions to the US are accredited for a maximumof five years. “At the conclusion of the five-year period, in the absence of a waiver approved by the [State] Department the diplomats are expected to end their tour with the bilateral mission and depart the United States. Ambassadors, charges d’affaires and deputy chief of mission are exempt from the five-year accreditation policy. The United States and Jamaica continue to enjoy close ties based on shared values, culture, tourism and a vibrant diaspora community in the United States,” the State Department said in its social media post. Dr Allan Cunningham, former Diaspora Council member for the USA Southern region and head of the People Profile Organization, told The Gleaner that each country has its own rules and other countries should abide by those rules. He said the current problem is easily fixed by both parties coming together to discuss the issue and finding an acceptable solution. “Meet at the table. Discuss how best to resolve the issue because, at the end of the day, it is in the best interest of both countries and will allow for the continued relationship between both countries forged over the many years,” he said. CHANGING WORLD Cunningham said the positions of both countries should be respected, although “we now live in a changing world”. He said: “We don’t want to hurt the relationship between both countries, but the rules of each country should be respected.” Patrick Beckford, former Diaspora Board member, told The Gleaner that the situation needs to be fixed and the best way to do so is to recognise that the US is bound by its laws. “The US Supreme Court has made same sex the law of the land, so the United States has to abide by this and cannot discriminate on how it places people in positions,” said Beckford. On the other hand, he noted that Jamaica also has its own laws that it must observe and the best way to resolve the situation is for both countries to sit around the table and discuss it and come up with a solution. “This should not be something that is discussed in the public sphere,”he said. Meanwhile, top Jamaican officials in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade have refused to comment on the situation. Jamaican-American Congresswoman Yvette Clarke has also taken a pass on commenting on the issue. Ja, US must resolve same-sex dilemma diplomatically, say diaspora leaders Irwine Clare Dr Allan Cunningham CONTRIBUTED Patrick Beckford “We live in a changing world and norms that are accepted in one country may not be acceptable in another, but the relationship built up over many years should not be harmed. It is readily fixable and we have the necessary skilled people to do so,” said Clare. Christopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer BISHOP O’GARTH MCKOY, the national superintendent of the United Pentecostal Church of Jamaica, is commending Jamaica’s leadership for its recent refusal to grant diplomatic privileges to the partner of a gay American diplomat, even as he urges Jamaicans to ensure their children are taught about God. MCKOYWAS delivering the keynote sermon at the annual Independence Church Service for St James, held at the Kings Chapel United Pentecostal Church in Montego Bay on Sunday. “Regarding the recent stance of the Government, based on the clippings in the media, that we will not embrace that LGBTQ+ scenario, I know there are going to be consequences for it. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any nation,”said McKoy, referencing Proverbs 14:34. “Buy the truth and sell it not … the once great United States of America (US) was established on the faith of their founding fathers, ‘In God we trust’. I wonder where their trust is now?” McKoy added. “Man without God is sinful, lost, imprisoned, and enslaved. If freedom, to you, means that you can do anything you want, you are not free.” Last month, reports emerged that Jamaica and the US, which have always enjoyed a positive diplomatic relationship, were involved in a row over Jamaica’s refusal to grant diplomatic immunity to the same-sex partner of a new diplomat being posted by the US to Jamaica, where same-sex marriage is not legally recognised. The situation was exacerbated by subsequent reports that the US denied applications to extend the stay of three Jamaican diplomats at Jamaica’s embassy and consulates in that country. TENSIONS However, Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Kamina Johnson Smith dismissed the reports of tensions between the two countries. McKoy also warned during Sunday’s service that parents must take responsibility for their children having a knowledge of spiritual matters and a close connection to God. “As our children and grandchildren are going on to university, we have a responsibility to ensure that we raise them up the right way. Inasmuch as education is important, the fear of God is the beginning of knowledge, and a generation of educated people without God Almighty is a generation that is lost,”McKoy said sternly. Meanwhile, in his remarks at the service, State Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister (West), Homer Davis, said that Jamaica’s 61st anniversary as an independent nation is a cause for celebration and scrutiny. “We are at a very critical juncture of life in this country. Sometimes when we speak, you would think that we have been an independent nation for over 500 years, but we are only 61 years old and we have achieved a lot,”said Davis. “These are occasions when our leaders should stand out and let the people who are looking upon us [know and understand] that we are leading in their best interest.” McKoy: Where is America’s trust now? Bishop O’Garth McKoy PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER THOMAS
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