Odeen Ishmael taught and guided the young Jagdeo

Dear Editor,
I refer to your April 18 editorial: “Change at Takuba Lodge?”
While I agree in general with what the editorial states, I have a difference in view regarding this statement in reference to Guyana’s ambassador to Venezuela, Dr Odeen Ishmael: “But ever since Dr Ishmael’s transfer to Caracas from Washington, there has been a sense that he does not fully enjoy the President’s favour. . .”

Why should this be? When Mr Jagdeo was appointed as finance minister back in the mid-1990s, in his first media interview he pinpointed Odeen Ishmael (then ambassador in Washington) as his mentor. This was obviously because Ambassador Ishmael was one of his most respect-ed high school teachers at Bygeval Multilateral School.