CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – The Ministry of External Affairs, International Trade, Civil Aviation and Diaspora Affairs, Friday blamed “a genuine error” for the posting on social media of a cheque that had been issued to Foreign Affairs Minister, Alva Baptiste, to attend the upcoming regular session of the Organization of American States (OAS).
“On the issue of a potential confidentiality breach, I can report that the Ministry conducted an in-depth investigation into the incident, and we are satisfied that the leaking of the document to social media resulted from a genuine error and was not driven by mischievous or malicious motives.
“If anything, the Ministry’s investigation revealed the continued need to exercise care in the transmission of official documents and information,” said Augustus Cadette, the permanent secretary in the Ministry.
He said that Baptiste is due to attend the OAS meeting from June 21-23 and that the images of a government cheque issued to the minister “appeared on social media under seemingly questionable circumstances.”
He said the cheque was issued to meet the costs of the trip, and “although Minister Baptiste has done his part in debunking the disparaging assertions that accompanied the online postings, I am duty bound as the administrative head of the Ministry to address the matter as it relates to ..concerns about the confidentiality and fidelity of public officials in the handling of government information with which they are entrusted; and …anxieties about the amount of the cheque.”
He said while he is aware that in an age of information and communication technology that has brought with it a heightened risk that confidential messages or information may inadvertently end up in the wrong destination or the public domain, “the Ministry condemns efforts by some to capitalize on the latest glitch to commit political mischief and to mislead.
“For instance, despite perverted references to the cheque as an illustration of lavish government spending on travel, the sums for meals and subsistence allowance are
computed using standard rates that have existed for over 25 years and have transcended several administrations.”
He said that the cheque posted on social media was for EC$13,360.71 (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) to cover accommodation in Washington and for meals and subsistence.
”These are standard allocations and are not unreasonable when one considers the location of the meeting, namely Washington DC,” the permanent secretary said, adding, “What is lavish about that?”
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