Dear Editor,
When I heard of the passing of the eminent Guyanese diplomat, Rudy Insanally I was moved to write about the experience I had in my interaction with him when I served as Ambassador of Colombia to Guyana, Suriname and CARICOM. I had the fortunate opportunity of having Ambassador Rudy Insanally as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana during my tenure as Ambassador of Colombia.
Minister Insanally’s experience in diplomacy facilitated our work and produced the successful results of the meetings of the Colombia-Guyana Joint Commission. Our countries benefited from cooperation and excellent understanding, as well as mutual support in the determination of the candidacies for representatives to international organizations.
My experience as Ambassador of Colombia to Guyana benefited from the good relations I had with Foreign Minister Insanally and his excellent team at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A brilliant career diplomat, Minister Insanally was Ambassador to several Latin American countries. This facilitated good relations and was a favourable factor in the regional integration processes.
His work in the United Nations is very well known, including his Presidency of the General Assembly for one year. His command of several languages, his knowledge of world history and, in particular, his knowledge of Latin American culture, enabled him to distinguish himself in the countries and organizations for which he had responsibility.
I would also like to highlight his humane qualities, his gift for people and his good sense of friendship. I have in my possession a wooden sculpture of Afro-Guyanese art labeled “The Family”. This work was a gift that Foreign Minister Insanally kindly gave me at the end of my time as Ambassador of Colombia to Guyana.
I have the best memories of Guyana. I met very special people, of enormous talent and excellent values. Among them, I would like to highlight the eminent and exemplary diplomat Rudy Insanally. An official and friend, of whom Guyana has every reason to be very proud.
Yours faithfully,
Luis Guillermo Willy Martienez
Ambassador of Colombia to Guyana, Suriname
and CARICOM 1999 – 2002.