Jamaica PM seeks clarification on visa revocation

Bruce Golding is trying to find out from the US why one of his former ministers was stripped of his visa. (Photo: jamaicangroupiemet.com)

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Friday May 27, 2011 – Prime Minister Bruce Golding is taking his own action to determine why the United States revoked the visa of former Energy and Mining Minister James Robertson.

He has instructed Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Dr. Kenneth Baugh, to meet with the US Ambassador on the matter.

That disclosure has come from Information Minister Daryl Vaz who said Prime Minister Golding was officially informed of the visa revocation last Friday, the same day Robertson found out that he and his wife were stripped.

“The issuance of all visas is a right of a sovereign nation or state and the privilege of a visa holder. They (the US) have taken a decision and that is within their right,” Vaz said. However, he added, “we can pursue that as best as possible, through diplomatic channels, to make sure that whatever the reason and the cause is, we find out and deal with it accordingly.”

Robertson resigned from the Cabinet on Tuesday.

Vaz said not having a visa made his position as a Minister of Government almost untenable. 

“Automatically, it goes without saying, it prevents…you from carrying out your portfolio responsibilities. That was something that was taken into consideration not by the Cabinet but James himself, which made it that much easier…in terms of having to take a position or give an opinion,” the Information Minister explained.

In the wake of Robertson’s resignation, Prime Minister Golding has assumed responsibility for the Energy and Mining Ministry, pending a review of portfolio responsibilities within his Cabinet.

State Minister for Energy and Mining, Laurence Broderick will assist Golding in the day-to-day running of the ministry.

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