St. George’s, December 6, 2012 – Former cabinet minister, Joseph Gilbert, has said that the Grenada government’s sacking of consul general to New York, Derrick James, follows a pattern and he’s “not surprised by the action of the NDC regime’’.

“It is part of their ongoing war of attrition against some of our most hardworking and patriotic sons and daughters serving at home and abroad,’’ Gilbert said.

James’ American citizenship, a Grenada government statement said, “would properly allow him only an appointment as honorary consul. The government of Grenada has been aware of these circumstances for some time; and in the wake of the US State Department’s most recent representation on the matter has no alternative but to bring an end to Mr. James’ purported appointment.’’

Former Foreign Minister Peter David has said that as far back as 2009, a “simple solution’’ to solving James’ diplomatic citizenship issue was presented to cabinet.

But Prime Minister Tillman Thomas, who is also Foreign Minister, has blamed David – who was moved from foreign affairs to the ministry of tourism in 2010 – for failing to ensure James’ diplomatic status was regularized.

“I was under the impression that that was done,’’ Thomas told the Grenada Broadcasting Network.

Gilbert noted that government itself has admitted that the solution was simply naming James an honourary consul general.

“So why then,’’ Gilbert asked, “was his status not regularized by appointing him as honorary consul? Is that not the traditional practice adopted by many other countries which have seen the wisdom in having their most efficient and effective nationals carry out such assignment, even though the particular individuals hold US citizenship?’’

According to Gilbert, Antigua along with several other countries are known to have opted to appoint honorary consuls general in the United States in order to comply with US regulations. American law restricts US citizens from being appointed as consuls general for other countries.

“I was in cabinet at the time and I can testify that this Antigua solution was put to the prime minister in cabinet,’’ Gilbert said.

“The prime minister is fully aware of how the matter could have been resolved if he wanted to have it resolved. But, the political will was absent on the part of the PM. What we see happening now is not political will to resolve the issue but political mischief.’’

James, Gilbert said, now joins a long list of competent patriotic citizens, including former Senator Arley Gill, “who have been fired by the NDC administration for politically motivated reasons’’.

James, who received his official termination notice on Wednesday, described his four years as consul general as a “wonderful and rewarding experience. This experience affirmed that my purpose is in the service of others.’’

He said he embraces his departure as consul general “as a new beginning strongly rooted in my commitment to service.’’