Diplomatic appointments for Washington and the U.K. to be announced soon

The Andrew Holness administration is expected to announce shortly the appointment of Jamaica's representative to Washington and the UInited Kingdom. RJR diplomatic sources have confirmed that replacements have been identified for both postings.

Ambassador Ralph Thomas, High Commissioner Aloun Assamba  and Jamaica's representative to China, Fay Pickersgill all demitted office on May 1, following the February 25 general election. Mrs. Pickersgill had been in Beijing for a mere three months, after her appointment was announced last November.

According to the diplomatic sources, Businesswoman Ambassador Audrey Marks and Businessman Seth George Ramocan have been tipped for the coveted Washington and UK postings. Ambassador Marks, a St. Mary native and founder of Paymaster Jamaica Limited is no stranger to Washington. She was Jamaica's ambassador to the United States from 2008 to 2012.

 Mr. Ramocan is also familiar with the diplomatic circles. He was appointed Jamaica's Consul General to Toronto,  in 2009. The impending announcement of the appointments, follows recent  concern from Opposition Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Morais Guy about  the non-appointment of Jamaican diplomats in three countries.

Dr. Guy noted that the appointment of diplomats to fill the vacancies are critical to support Jamaica's foreign policies for economic growth. Efforts to reach Foreign Affairs Minister Senator Kamina Johnson were unsuccessful.