Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter
Outgoing Trinidad and Tobago High Commissioner Dennis Francis (right) is greeted by (from left) US Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson, Lidia Amaral and Cezar Amaral, Brazilian Ambassador. -
PHOTOS BY WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
ONE OF William Shakespeare's often used quotes 'parting is such sweet sorrow' may be oxymoronic and overused, but it still applies.
High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago and Dean of the Corps, Dennis Francis, and Costa Rican Ambassador Joycelyn Sawyers-Royale will be ending their tours of duty in Jamaica shortly and members of the corps celebrated their achievements with a cocktail reception. It was hosted by Brazilian Ambassador Cezar Amaral at his Carmel Terrace residence on Tuesday.
High Commissioner of St. Kitts and Nevis, Cedric Harper, who is acting dean, revealed that having known Francis for 30 years, he was in no way disappointed or surprised at the good job he had done. Harper took consolation that Sawyers-Royale would be returning to her native land and as they say "there's no place like home".
EXPECTATIONS MET
While High Commissioner Francis moves to cooler climates for his next assignment, Ambassador Sawyers-Royale has called time on her diplomatic career. She will be returning to Costa Rica where she will focus on voluntary service. She told the gathering that when she arrived four years ago, she had a strong expectation and desire to forge strong ties with Jamaica and to strengthen the social and cultural links between the two nations. "I can say those expectations have been met," she said.
In his reply, Francis dispelled the rumour that a long farewell is easy. He briefly reflected on his time as Dean of the Corps, and thanked his colleagues for their cooperation, support and sensitivity, all of which helped him to do his job. He articulated that the corps in Jamaica enjoyed the respect of the Jamaican Government, and he was happy that during his tenure nothing had occurred to dilute how the corps was perceived. Both then had more praise heaped on them by other members who wished to say a few words.
Guests to the function included Spanish Ambassador Jesus Silva and wife Sara, Colombian Ambassador Dr. Kent Francis, Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Sakurai, Chinese Ambassador Zhao Zhenyu and wife Wang Xiaoju, Peruvian Ambassador Luis Sandiga, Chilean Ambassador Alfonso Silva, Indian High Commissioner Shri Kailash Agrawal, Madai and Marcelo Hernandez, Louise Valle, Nigerian High Commissioner Chief Olufolajimi Akintola, French Ambassador Francis Hurtut; German Ambassador Volker Schlegel and his deputy Maria Freidrich-Boerger and Director of Protocol Sandra Grant Griffiths.
