Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter
Russian Ambassador Edward Malayan gets farewell hugs from (from left) Louise Valle, Dr. Laura Tanna and Elisabeth Mathers. The Diplomatic Corps had a farewell reception for both the Russian and Mexican ambassadors, held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston, on Tuesday.- FILE
ADIOS, DOSVIDANIYA, Farewell; no
matter how it was said, the sentiment was the same.
Russian Ambassador to Jamaica Edward Malayan and his Mexican colleague Benito Andion were the toast of the Diplomatic Corps on Tuesday April 5, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. It is rare that two tours of duty should be coming to an end at about the same time. And that's exactly why Dean of the Corps and Trinidadian High Commissioner Dennis Francis was keen to give both gentlemen and their lovely wives a grand send-off. In a classy touch, balloon columns stretched from ceiling to floor with the balloon colours representing the Jamaican, Russian and Mexican flags.
Acting as the MC for the night, High Commissioner Francis lauded his colleagues, starting with Malayan. He pointed out that in his approximately four-year term, he was very active in representing his country and his culture. His warmth and personality made him special.
Ambassador Andion was praised as an "able and competent representative of Mexico." He was described as being kind, warm but firm when the need arose. In the opinion of all, he was shrewd and incisive as a diplomat.
BRIEF EXPRESSIONS OF THANKS
And the spouses were not left out. On the contrary, Marina Malayan and Evelyn Sancho were applauded for their support, both to their husbands and to the Corps. Speaking on behalf of their wives, both men gave brief expressions of thanks to the people in the room and to the wider Jamaican Government and public. Ambassador Malayan probably said it best.
"Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. I wish you good health, some luck and hope to see you soon." Ambassador Andion joked that his grandmother had always admonished him to never leave without saying goodbye and he had no plans to disobey her.
As a symbol of the love and respect for both
couples, High Commissioner Francis presented them with gifts to take with them on their new postings. The Malayans are off to Luxembourg while the Andions head for Italy's fashion capital Milan.
Among the diplomats and other well-wishers who attended were Trinidad First Secretary Kirk Francois; Honorary Consul to Iceland Robert MacMillan; Spanish Ambassador Rafael Jover and wife Maria; Honduran Ambassador Carlos Matute; Chilean Ambassador Alfonso Silva; Canadian High Commissioner Claudio Valle and wife Louise; British High Commissioner Peter Mathers and wife Elisabeth; Permanent Secretary in the Foreign Affairs ministry, Ambassador Douglas Saunders; Dean of the Consular Corps, Arnold Foote and wife Patricia; Drs. Dhiru and Laura Tanna; Herman Portocarero; Chinese Ambassador Zhao Zhenyu and wife Wang Xiaoju; Nigerian High Commissioner Chief Olufolajimi Modupe Akintola; Costa Rican Ambassador Joycelyn Sawyers-Royale; French Ambassador Francis Hurtut; Acting Indian High Commissioner Bimal Saigal; German Ambassador Dr. Christian Hausmann; Belgian Ambassador Jamaica's former ambassador to Canada, Ambassador Raymond Wolfe; Patrick Lynch and George Fatta.
