Guyana has learnt with great sorrow of the death of Mr. Rashleigh Esmond Jackson, OR, at the age of 93 years.
Mr. Jackson was one of Guyana’s most distinguished diplomats and public servants. He was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1978 to 1990 after serving as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry from 1969 to 1973 and Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations from 1973 to 1978.
Mr. Jackson was respected internationally, particularly, for his skill and tact in safeguarding Guyana’s security and sovereignty within the Caribbean Community, Non-Aligned Movement and United Nations during the difficult period of territorial controversy and international destabilization in the 1980s.
Mr. Jackson published one of the most important books on foreign policy – Guyana’s Diplomacy (ISBN 976-8178-11-6) – in 2003 in addition to several monographs on the security of small states, international cooperation, peaceful co-existence and relations with Brazil, Suriname and Venezuela.
Mr. Jackson’s expertise and experience were acknowledged and appreciated especially by the Guyana Government and, as a true patriot and public servant, he never withheld
