Sayonara: A fine send-off
published: Wednesday | August 20, 2003

By Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

From left, an animated Vivian Crawford and the British High Commissioner Peter Mathers joke with Japanese Ambassador Isao Otsuka and his wife, Takako at their reception on Monday night. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

THERE WERE no kimono-wearing women, no bamboo flute music and no speeches. Japanese Ambassador Isao Otsuka and his wife, Takako, bade farewell in a quiet, peaceful fashion.

Typical of the couple, who were calm and delightful themselves, they graced the gathering with their presence. The Talk of the Town suite at the Jamaica Pegasus was packed as the socialites came out to show their support. The receiving line seemed never-ending as no one simply shook hands; guests made sure to say proper goodbyes to one of the more amicable couples on the social scene.

Some of the business leaders and political leaders gave 'doctor's visits' because of various commitments. But none left without greeting the couple one last time. "You must come back", was a popular refrain; one that the couple completely endorse. It seems that the nearly two and a half years they spent in the island was hardly enough.

Among those who came to say goodbye were Minister of National Security, Dr. Peter Phillips; Finance Minister, Dr. Omar Davies; Health Minister, John Junor; State Minister in the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Deika Morrison; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Ambassador Douglas Saunders; Ambassador Madge Barrett; Custos of Kingston, Canon Weeville Gordon; Custos of St. Andrew, Rev. Carmen Stewart; florist Pearl Wright; Gloria Palomino; Joyce Chang and Joyce Shaw from the Jamaica/Japan Society; Adrian Foreman and wife, Darrilyn; Philip Samms; Dr. Winston Davidson; president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society, senator Norman Grant; opposition senator, Anthony Johnson; Winston Dyer; Admiral Peter Brady; Robert MacMillan; broadcaster Barbara Gloudon; British High Commissioner, Peter Mathers and wife, Elizabeth; departing Canadian High Commissioner, John Robinson; Chinese Ambassador Zhao Zhenyu and wife, Wang Xiaoju; Colombian Ambassador, Dr. Kent Francis and wife, Cecilia; Venezuelan Ambassador, Rocio Maneiro; Dominican Republic Ambassador, Arsenio Jimenez; Ecuadorian Consul, Clelia Barreto de Hunter; Mission Director, USAID, Mosina Jordan; Monsignor Richard Albert; Dr. Manuel Pena and wife, Yamila; Mexican Ambassdor Benito Andion; Indian High Commissioner, Inder Chopra and wife Nanita; French Ambassador, Pierre Antoine-Berniard; Honorary Italian Consul, Tino Calvarelli and Head of the EU Delegation in Jamaica, Gerd Jarchow.

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