Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07GEORGETOWN386
2007-04-17 20:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Georgetown
Cable title:  

HAPPILY NEVER AFTER: PRESIDENT TO DIVORCE

Tags:  PGOV GY 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0022
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHGE #0386 1072038
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 172038Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5089
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L GEORGETOWN 000386 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/17/2017
TAGS: PGOV GY
SUBJECT: HAPPILY NEVER AFTER: PRESIDENT TO DIVORCE

Classified By: CHARGE MICHAEL THOMAS FOR REASONS 1.4(B) AND (D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L GEORGETOWN 000386

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/17/2017
TAGS: PGOV GY
SUBJECT: HAPPILY NEVER AFTER: PRESIDENT TO DIVORCE

Classified By: CHARGE MICHAEL THOMAS FOR REASONS 1.4(B) AND (D)


1. (C) SUMMARY: Ending public speculation regarding the
status of their relationship, President Bharrat Jagdeo and
First Lady Varshnie Jagdeo yesterday announced the end of
their nine year marriage. The announcement came as a shock
to no one-rumors of adultery, separation, and domestic
violence have been rife for some time. END SUMMARY

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"ALL OUT" AT THE CRICKET MATCH
--------------


2. (C) The tumultuous relationship of President Jagdeo and
his wife came to a boil at the Cricket World Cup in Guyana
last week. Apparently, the First Lady and her father showed
up, uninvited, to the one of the cricket matches and were
seated in the Presidential Box. An angry Jagdeo ordered his
chief protocol officer to have her removed from the premises.
The officer refused, and he was subsequently relieved of his
duties and sent home. After the media got a hold of the
story and began to ask questions, Jagdeo told them that he
would "deal with that within two weeks time." A week later,
the Jagdeos announced their pending divorce.

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A MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE
--------------


3. (C) Despite their gala wedding ceremony in 1998, many
speculated that the marriage between Jagdeo and Varshnie was
one of convenience. At the time, Jagdeo was an up-and-coming
politician, rising through the ranks of the People's
Progressive Party (PPP),and sitting on the doorstep of the
presidency. It is rumored that Janet Jagan, then President
of Guyana, persuaded Jagdeo to marry in order to project a
more stable, family-oriented image. In fact, Varshnie, who
was born and raised in the U.K., immediately went back to
school in England following their wedding -- they lived apart
for two years before she finally returned to Guyana. There
have been all sorts of salacious rumors surrounding the
Jagdeos' marriage. From the very beginning, it was common
knowledge that Jagdeo continued to have girlfriends or other
liaisons on the side. Varshnie is also believed to have been
living with a boyfriend the last few years. The political
opposition has also pushed the unlikely rumor that Jagdeo
prefers men - in the last election, the leader of the
opposition party, Robert Corbin, often insinuated in his
campaign speeches that Jagdeo was gay.

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ME, MYSELF, AND I
--------------


4. (C) COMMENT: Jagdeo's divorce announcement comes at a time
when he has become increasingly insular in his actions.
Long-time PPP members have commented that the President no
longer seeks outside counsell from his advisors or his
party-- he prefers that any government decisions come through
him personally. Now, in the ultimate sign of going it alone,
Jagdeo has even jettisoned his wife. END COMMENT
Thomas