New UN rep to the region introduced to Cabinet; observers believe this signals that a US Embassy will be sited here

Simon Springett, the new United Nations Representative to Barbados and the
Eastern Caribbean, was invited meet the Cabinet during its sitting of June 26,
this week’s Notes report.

The Notes say the purpose of the meeting was to introduce Springett to the
ministers of government and to look at the projects the United Nations
supports in this region.

However, some observers believe the US official and his group were, more
likely, sussing out the Executive as part of their decision on the location of a
US Embassy in the Eastern Caribbean.

The United States had announced, last year, that it would be establishing two
embassies in the sub-region. Informed persons have since concluded that
Antigua and Barbuda will be one of these locations, as the Government of the
People’s Republic of China already has entrenched itself here.

Reportedly, Springett noted that he had attended the recent SIDS4 Conference,
and has promised to work closely with the Government to achieve the
Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS.

The US official is said to have acknowledged the prediction that 2024 will be a
very busy hurricane season, and pledged a strong UN response to the extreme
weather events that are likely to affect the region.