Left: Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, High Commissioner Cedric Harper (left), presents Colombian Ambassador, Dr. Kent Francis, and his wife, Cecelia, with a gift at their farewell reception. Right: Departing Colombian Ambassador, Dr. Kent Francis (second right), in discussion with (from left), Dr. Barbara Munske, Russian Ambassador Victor Zotin and Mexican Ambassador Leonora Rueda. Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter
The diplomatic Corps said farewell to another of its members on Thursday evening, February 15, as Colombian Ambassador, Dr. Kent Francis, and his wife Cecelia end their tour of duty.
French Ambassador Francis Hurtut hosted the reception at his residence on Hillcrest Avenue, and it was a cosy affair with members of the corps and specially invited guests attending. Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, High Commissioner Cedric Harper, commended the couple for, "doing such a powerful job in Jamaica." He especially congratulated the ambassador on the ties he forged with the University of the West Indies, Mona, in the foreign languages department.
Speaking on behalf of his wife, Ambassador Francis expressed immense joy about their posting in Jamaica.
"We don't want to make an inventory of what we have accomplished. We would rather tell you how pleasant this has been for us." Their only regret was that their stay seemed so short; as approximately one-third of his visit was spent visiting the other CARICOM countries he is responsible for. He expressed their love for Kingston and revealed that often they would watch plays and attend concerts; something that gave them great pleasure.
Among the guests were Chilean Ambassador Alfonso Silva and wife Ada; Trinidad and Tobago High Commissioner Yvonne Gittens-Joseph; British High Commissioner Jeremy Cresswell and Dr. Barbara Munske; German Ambassador Volker Schlegel; Spanish Ambassador Jesus Silva and wife Sara; Dean of the Consular Corps Grantley Stephenson and wife Judith; Ambassador Dr. Matthew Beaubrun; Melvin and Nadine Asin; Dominican Republic Ambassador Filomena Navarro; attorney George Fatta; as well as Cuban Ambassador Gisela Garcia and husband Jorge Crespo.
