The good news and the bad news?

Dear Editor,
Reference is made to an article appearing in your newspaper on 24 October 2009 under the caption “Another Fine CARICOMess”.
In that article, the author, Mr. Tony Deyal, stated “A few months ago I saw a CSME advertisement for a consultant in my field and applied to the address in the ad, copying my application to the Deputy Secretary General (DSG). When I did not receive a reply, I wrote a reminder and again copied it to the DSG. I am still waiting for an acknowledgement and/or reply.”
The CARICOM Secretariat wishes to indicate that contrary to the claim of Mr. Deyal that there was no acknowledgement of an application from him for a consultancy under a project being implemented by the Secretariat, an e-mail dated Wednesday 4 March, 2009 and recorded at 11.11 am was dispatched to all applicants including Mr. Deyal.
That e-mail stated: “I wish to refer to your e-mail/letter of application for the Consultancy on “Information Flows” under the CARICOM Trade and Competitiveness Project.
The panel meets tomorrow, Thursday, 5 March 2009 to make a selection. There is a possibility that contact will have to be made with you to further elaborate on your application.
If need be, you will be contacted at the number you provided on your CV between 14:00 and 17:00 hrs. If there is another number that you would prefer to be reached at, please provide same at the earliest possible convenience. Please see attached the Terms of Reference.”
Further also contrary to Mr. Deyal’s claim that the application was copied to the DSG, her office has found no trace of the original or the reminder.
The application was received directly in the relevant department, as the invitation to tender would have indicated. That is the good news.
The bad news is that the Committee did not recommend Mr. Deyal. The Secretariat is not unhappy with that recommendation given the experience which it had with Mr. Deyal during a previous engagement.
Leonard Robertson
Adviser Public Information
Office of the Secretary-General