Ambassadors of Finland and Indonesia accredited

Georgetown, GINA, February 22, 2007

The Ambassadors designate of Finland and Indonesia, Excellencies Mikko Pyhala and Dr. Suprijanto Muhadi presented their letters of credence to Head of State President Bharrat Jagdeo at his Office in New Garden Street.

            Ambassador Muhadi is currently the Director of Cooperation of Human Rights   Promotion Department of Law and Human rights of the Republic of Indonesia. He is married with three daughters.
            Ambassador Pyhala is married with two daughters and speaks 11 languages. He is also accredited to Venezuela.  

            He was bestowed an award in 1992 for the best non-fiction book Amazonica. Other diplomatic posting of the Finland Ambassador were Chechoslovakia, Mexico, India and Italy.

Also present at the accreditation ceremony was Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rudy Insanally and Director General of the Ministry, Ambassador Elisabeth Harper Chief of Protocol (ag) Esther Griffith and Officers within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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President bids farewell to Benn and Fung-On
-Fung-On remembered as stickler for rules and principles

Georgetown, GINA, February 23, 2007

Head of State, President Bharrat Jagdeo today on behalf of the Government and the People’s Progressive Party bid farewell to friend and colleague George Fung-On at a funeral ceremony at Christ Church.  

            President Jagdeo in a tribute to the former Chairman of the Public Service Commission said Fung-On’s contribution to his country was tremendous and this is the  only consolation that could be taken from his passing.
            He said his tribute is not based on research on the life of the man George Fung-On but, from his interactions with him especially during Cabinet meetings.

“I came to know more about George’s character from Cabinet, he was very careful and his interventions based on substance and principle. I recall the time when I saw most his courage, and it was the time when we had a major strike in the Public Service and a lot of people were wavering about where we should go and what positions we should take and I think because we were so anxious to resolve that conflict many people moved away from principle but, throughout George Fung-On stood his ground on a position of principle, he was a stickler for rules and principles.”

 The President said people of Fung-On’s ilk are rare in Guyana, and he will be remembered for his dedication, service and commitment to both his party and the people of Guyana.
George Fung-On was born on October 24, 1921 and passed away on February 16, 2007
            The President also stood by Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn’s side during the service of thanksgiving for the life of his sister Dr. Monica Benn at the St. George’s Cathedral.
            Minister Benn in his eulogy said his sister was the third of seven born to Brindley Benn, longstanding PPP activist and member. He said Dr. Benn was an active member of  the Women’s Progressive Organisation and spoke of her love for the artisan genres.
            Dr. Benn too, made significant contributions to the country through her service to the Guyana Defence Force.

            Also present at the thanksgiving services were Ministers of Government and members of the PPP/C.  
             Dr. Monica Patricia Eslanda Benn was born on May 30, 1954 and died on February 17, 2007 from cancer. She leaves behind her son Brindley named after her father.
            May the souls of George Fung-On and Dr. Monica Patricia Eslanda Benn rest in peace.    

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