US State Department unhappy with Jamaica's refusal to accredit spouse of gay diplomat

 

The US State Department today made it clear it was unhappy with the Jamaican government's refusal to grant diplomatic immunity for the spouse of a gay diplomat about to be posted to Kingston.

 

Speaking at Thursday's daily briefing, State Department Spokesman Matt Miller said the US government was concerned with the Jamaican government's position. 

 

"That it is a policy concern that same-sex spouses would not be granted the same rights and privileges," he said. 

 

Asked whether such an incident had actually taken place, the spokesman said he was "not aware of it happening with respect to a specific individual", adding that the concern was regarding the specific policy that could be applied. 

 

On Wednesday, the ABC affiliate in Miami reported that it was a new US Ambassador that Washington wanted to deploy to Kingston which led to the spat.

 

The candidate for ambassador is in a same-sex marriage and the US government sought to get diplomatic immunity for his spouse.

 

Meanwhile, the US State Department clearly outlined the American government's policy on the accreditation of the spouses of its same-sex diplomats. 

 

"One of our top priorities is to ensure that privileges and immunities are granted to spouses of personnel assigned to US embassies and consular posts regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity." 

 

"The department's policy regarding the accreditation length of diplomats from missions to the United States, however, is applied universally, absent a reciprocal accreditation policy. And diplomats accredited to those missions are expected to end their tour after five years and depart the United States," said Mr. Miller.

 

The US has reportedly rejected a request from the Jamaican government to extend the stay of three diplomats in Jamaica's embassy and consulates in the United States.

 

The US served notice that the trio must leave immediately after their five-year diplomatic visa expires.

 

This is in contrast to what now obtains, where extensions to diplomatic visas for Jamaican diplomats beyond the five-year period are routine.

 

Quizzed on why the US was not granting a waiver in this instance, Mr. Miller acknowledged that "We have not at this point, but I don't have any further update." 

 

His comments confirmed that the Jamaican government sought extensions for the visas of several of its diplomats beyond their five-year limit.

 

Among those affected are Jamaica's ambassador to the US, Audrey Marks, and Consul General Oliver Mair, based in Miami, who the Americans say must leave and return to Jamaica this year.