Baptiste-Cornelis yet to return to ‘headquarters’

The Government has yet to confirm reports that Therese Baptiste-Cornelis, former Health Minister and ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, has resigned. Up to 5 pm yesterday, Communications Minister Jamal Mohammed said he had not received any such correspondence from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. When contacted by the T&T Guardian, Mohammed said he was aware of the reports.

However, he said, “I have not received any formal letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or anyone else.” “She was supposed to return today (yesterday), as September 17 was her final day. I have been trying all day to contact the foreign affairs minister.” Mohammed said Baptiste-Cornelis was expected to report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on her return to T&T.

He said he was unsure if Baptiste-Cornelis had in fact returned, and would await further information from line minister Winston Dookeran. Calls to Baptiste-Cornelis’ cellphone went unanswered, while Dookeran’s driver answered his mobile phone and said he was not available.

Baptiste-Cornelis was fired as this country’s ambassador to Geneva in August, after serving in the post for close to a year. On August 9, Dookeran issued a release saying that Baptiste-Cornelis’ appointment would end in September and she would be recalled to “headquarters.”