Dear Editor,
I wish to refer to the article ‘Mexico to grant 10 scholarships’ published on Friday, December 4, 2009, in your prestigious newspaper relating to the scholarships offered by the Government of Mexico to the countries which are members of Caricom. I wish to clarify two very important points mentioned in the above-mentioned article:
1. 50 scholarships are offered for courses to begin in 2010, but there is no guarantee that this is going to be done regularly over the years.
2. Based on the caption of your article your report is interpreted as 10 secure scholarships to be awarded to Guyana. Please be informed that Mexico is offering 50 scholarships to Caricom member countries with no specific number of candidates assigned for each country.
The Government of Mexico will receive the number of candidates that Guyana would like to present, but the candidates will be subject to an assessment which will determine if they are accepted or not for the scholarship.
I find it essential to highlight this because the information provided to the public may cause confusion, and harm the image of our country and our bilateral relations with Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean Region.
Please find enclosed a copy of my intervention made at the press conference on Wednesday, December, 2, 2009, at Minister Westford’s Office, Ministry of Public Service.
Acknowledging the attention that will be provided to this communication and the publication of the same in your recognized newspaper, I reiterate my highest consideration.
Yours faithfully,
Fernando Sandoval
Ambassador of Mexico
