THE EDITOR, Sir:
I AM writing in response to the letter captioned 'Consulate poverty', that appeared in the March 13, 2001 edition of The Jamaica Gleaner.
The requirement for persons calling in to obtain the passport application form by providing a self-addressed stamped envelope is a standard procedure for many government offices, and is not limited only to Jamaican government offices.
This practice is also exercised by several public-sector offices in this country. It is pure folly to even suggest that this procedure prevents persons from exercising their rights in applying for a Jamaican passport, as suggested by the author. Moreover, we are more than happy to mail the application form to anyone claiming inability to send a stamped envelope, as done on a few occasions. A mere US$0.34 cents should not be seen as a cause of contention.
Additionally, there are other options available for obtaining passport application forms; namely by collecting at the Consulate if one so desires or by downloading from the web site of the Consulate at www.jamcongen-ny.org. If we were to send each applicant an application form free of cost, the result would be a tremendous burden on our resources. We are however proud that many hundreds of thousands of persons who utilise the services of the mission are appreciative of the excellent service given to all.
The statement made that Consular staff has been instructed to locate less expensive residences is mischievous and without foundation. Perhaps the author would wish to enlighten this office as to the origin of such instructions. To this end, I am personally inviting Ms. Winsome Moses-Johnson to contact my office with any constructive suggestions to improve delivery of service and not be side-tracked by other considerations.
I am etc.,
Dr. BASIL K. BRYAN,
Consul-General of Jamaica,
New York
E-mail: cg@jamcongen-ny.org
767 Third Avenue, New York City
Via Go-Jamaica
