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Hon. Keith Mitchell |
Friday,
August 15th, 2008:
We refer to a statement
made by the government in reference to a
United States VISA issued to the Rt.
Hon. Leader of the Opposition Dr. Keith
Mitchell.
The statement emanating
from the Government of Grenada in
respect to this issue is inaccurate and
misleading. The issue is a simple
domestic matter. The real issue is not
about a passport. It is about valid
VISAS which the old or cancelled
passport contains.
The Rt. Hon. Leader of
the Opposition and former Prime Minister
had submitted his old diplomatic
passport upon the request of the new
Government for the issuance of new
passport as he is still entitled to a
diplomatic passport as leader of the
opposition.
The new passport was
issued to him. The old passport bears
valid VISAS on it permitting Dr.
Mitchell entry to the US, Canada and
other countries.
Dr. Mitchell requested
the return of the old/cancelled passport
with the valid VISAS which they
contained so that he can travel to the
United States on business as per usual.
The normal procedure is
that passports are cancelled but the
VISAS remain valid. The cancelled
passport with the valid VISAS are
therefore returned to the citizen to use
with any new passport (This is
standard).
The US Consular officials
confirmed that no new VISAS are
necessary since Dr. Mitchell already has
10 year VISAS for entry into the US.
Dr. Mitchell has on
several occasions requested the return
of his cancelled passport with his VISAS
on them, but the Government has refused
to do so.
Senator the Hon. Dwight
Horsford,
Deputy General Secretary,
New National Party. |
