THE UNITED STATES IS ASKING GHANA TO VOLUNTARILY WITHDRAW A SENIOR DIPLOMAT FROM WASHINGTON OR FACE HIS FORMAL EXPULSION. THE MOVE COMES IN APPARENT RETALIATION FOR LAST MONTH'S EXPULSION OF A U-S DIPLOMAT FROM GHANA.A STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TOLD THE U-S DIPLOMATIC DEMARCHE TARGETS THE FIRST SECRETARY OF THE GHANAIAN EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON, HANNAH AMA NYARKO.
THE OFFICIAL SAID HE OR ANOTHER GHANAIAN DIPLOMAT OF A SIMILAR RANK MUST LEAVE THE UNITED STATES BEFORE JULY 19TH OR RISK BEING DECLARED 'PERSONA NON GRATA.'
THE MOVE COMES IN APPARENT RETALIATION FOR LAST MONTH'S EXPULSION OF U-S PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER NICK RICHARDSON FROM ACCRA. GHANAIAN AUTHORITIES ACCUSED MR. RICHARDSON OF INTERFERENCE IN THEIR INTERNAL AFFAIRS BECAUSE OF WHAT WAS INTERPRETED AS HIS CRITICISM OF THE GHANAIAN PRESS LAW.
THE STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL CALLED MR. RICHARDSON'S EXPULSION UNWARRANTED AND ADDED WASHINGTON VIEWS IT AS INTERFERENCE IN THE OPERATIONS OF THE U-S MISSION IN GHANA.
THERE IS NO WORD HOW THIS ROUND OF EXPULSIONS WILL AFFECT U-S / GHANAIAN RELATIONS. GHANAIAN EMBASSY OFFICIALS IN WASHINGTON WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR COMMENT LATE THURSDAY.
19-Jun-97
Source: Voice of America