Dear Editor,
I have seen two letters, written in good faith, disagreeing with President Ali’s mention of the Indigenous origins of Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett during his recent speech to the UN General Assembly.
Please permit me to write in support of the President in this matter. Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett’s Indigenous origins are a legitimate campaign asset that enhances, rather than obscures, her qualifications for the post. Her indigenous status deserves to be highlighted.
Think of how much it would ennoble the United Nations to have an indigenous woman at its head: not only a woman, but an indigenous one. There are some eighty countries in the world with indigenous peoples, who are some of the most deprived and disadvantaged people in the world. They are ardently petitioning the United Nations to support their cause – something I have seen first hand for years.
Electing an indigenous person would warm their hearts.
On this occasion, President Ali was on the mark in supporting her candidacy.
Yours faithfully,
Bertrand Ramcharan
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