A recent trip to the USA by Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat and the subsequent news report by esteemed Guyanese journalist Enrico Wolford about the reception committee that greeted the Minister as he disembarked at JFK Airport has sparked a contentious letter from Sanjeev Datadin representing the Minister.
Mr. Wolford posted on his Facebook page that “Guyana’s Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, was met, escorted off, and questioned by Federal Agents at the JFK airport last night, July 11th, 2024. It is unclear why those particular investigating officers and not the usual diplomatic protocol officers would meet and escort Guyana’s Minister of Natural Resources.”
According to Datadin, Enrico’s report is “utterly false” and “without merit,” adding, “…I am instructed to inform you that your statement is defamatory and has caused injury to my client’s reputation and good character. Further, I am instructed to demand a full and public apology to be published immediately.”
The attorney further warned that if Wolford fails to comply with the demands, legal proceedings will be initiated against him. The letter also highlighted the potential for criminal charges, indicating that the matter is being pursued with the relevant authorities.
Subsequently, a letter to Mr. Bharrat’s lawyer, Sanjeev Datadin, from attorneys Eusi Anderson, Nigel Hughes, and Roysdale Forden, representing Enrico Woolford stated, “There will be no retraction, apology or compensatory damages or payments of legal fees as requested, to your client or any of his attorneys by July 14th, 2024 or ever.”
If Minister Bharrat is claiming that because of his status as a minister in a sitting government, he is afforded Diplomatic privileges and therefore immunity, then the U.S. Department of State website explains:
“International law, to which the United States is firmly committed, requires that law enforcement authorities of the United States extend certain privileges and immunities to members of foreign diplomatic missions and consular posts. Most of these privileges and immunities are not absolute, and law enforcement officers retain their fundamental responsibility to protect and police the orderly conduct of persons in the United States.”
Further, it emphasizes:
“It should be emphasized that even at its highest level, diplomatic immunity does not exempt diplomatic officers from the obligation of conforming with national and local laws and regulations. Diplomatic immunity is not intended to serve as a license for persons to flout the law and purposely avoid liability for their actions. The purpose of these privileges and immunities is not to benefit individuals but to ensure the efficient and effective performance of their official missions on behalf of their governments.”
Irrespective of what transpired after Mr. Bharrat was greeted at JFK Airport by US officials, should Minister Vickram Bharrat continue to pursue legal action against Mr. Enrico Wolford, it could potentially create more problems than it resolves. Sometimes, it is best to “let sleeping dogs lie.”
