Leader of the Opposition Dr. Hubert Minnis yesterday renewed calls for the government to speak to the issue of the delayed confirmation of Dr. Elliston Rahming as Bahamas ambassador to the United States.

"I have spoken to ambassadors in the region and The Bahamas is the laughing stock," he said in an interview with The Nassau Guardian yesterday.

"In their experience if an ambassador has not been named in two months, most likely they will not be confirmed.

"What they would probably do to damper the embarrassment that they are exposing us to, is to remove [Bahamas Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Eugene Newry] from New York and name him as ambassador and keep Rahming in the post that he is in."

He was referring to Rahming's appointment as permanent representative to the Organization of American States (OAS).

Rahming's appointment as ambassador and OAS representative was made in February.

He assumed his duties as permanent representative to the OAS shortly after that, but has not received word on his appointment as ambassador.

"The Christie administration is an embarrassment and the opposition recommends that they resolve this issue as soon as possible," Minnis said.

Rahming, the former superintendent of Her Majesty's Prisons, is stationed in Washington, D.C.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell said yesterday that nothing had changed concerning Rahming's situation and would not offer further comment.

The Free National Movement (FNM) previously called on the government to withdraw Rahming's name and offer a new representative.

A statement issued by the government on July 1 indicated that Prime Minister Perry Christie had directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with regard to the appointments of consuls general in Miami and Atlanta.

But the ministry did not announce any names.

The statement also said a further announcement will be made shortly about changes in personnel in the diplomatic service as soon as the necessary formalities have been concluded.

It remains unclear which areas will be affected by the changes.

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