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Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir on Wednesday morning disallowed a question by the opposition which sought clarity on the impending visit by US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo here from Thursday.
Nadir who is presiding over the assembly virtually after being diagnosed with Covid-19 said that while he considers the questions to be important he does not think they meet the requirements of urgency.
In an immediate reaction, Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon questioned what could be more urgent on such an important visit by a very senior official of the US Government.
“How much more urgent can this be. This is bad for the people of Guyana, this is bad for Guyana,” Harmon said.
He assured that people of Guyana will not tolerate such high-handed approach to governance by the PPP/C.
“What is so difficult, what is there to hide. The Speaker’s response reeks of bias, it is unfair and unjust,” Harmon asserted.
Outside of the opposition several other citizens and the Guyana Human Rights Association have questioned the motive and timing of the visit.
In a press release on Wednesday the US State Department said that Pompeo is due for a two-day visit here from Thursday as part of a South American tour to celebrate democracy and help revitalise economies stung by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The State Department said during Pompeo’s visit here he will congratulate newly elected president Irfaan Ali and his cabinet, and meet with CARICOM Secretary-General Irwin LaRocque. ” He will reinforce the promise of a values-based U.S. partnership highlighting opportunities for more responsible and transparent private sector investment to increase prosperity for the people of Guyana, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the statement read.
Coalition’s questions
Ahead of the visit to the main parliamentary Opposition tabled their questions asking the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government to clearly state the country’s position on Venezuela.
During Monday’s opening round of budget debates in the National Assembly, Opposition Member of Parliament, Attorney-at-Law Amanza Walton- Desir placed before the House a number of burning questions to be answered as a matter of urgency by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd.
‘What is Guyana’s key interest and non-negotiable policies as it relates to Venezuela? Is the country still committed to the non-intervention in the internal affairs of Venezuela?’ – are among questions the APNU+AFC Coalition is hoping that the Government will answer before Pompeo arrives in Guyana on Thursday, September 18, 2020 for his two-day visit.
The US has imposed severe sanctions on the Nicolas Maduro Administration over a range of issues including human rights violations and poor governance, and has been on a mission to muster support from countries within the Western Hemisphere.
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has long maintained that it will not interfere or intervene in the internal affairs of Venezuela or any other state – a position Guyana has embraced.
The APNU+AFC also wants PPP/C Administration to assure the nation that the country’s national interests will not be compromised. In seeking further assurance, Walton- Desir asked that the country be assured that the Government will not be a party, directly or indirectly, to any aggression against Venezuela.
Further, the Opposition Member of Parliament asked the Foreign Affairs Minister to disclose what are the agreements to be reached, during the meeting with the U.S Secretary of State; and what support was offered by the PPP/C Administration ahead of the high-level meeting.
“Could the Hon. Minister map the scenario analyses of the likely consequences of any action taken by Guyana for our case before the International Court of Justice in the Guyana/Venezuela territorial controversy,” the Opposition Parliamentarian further asked.
During the months-long elections dispute in Guyana, it was disclosed that the APNU+AFC Administration had turned down a request by the United States Government to relay Voice of America content to Venezuela utilising one of this country’s medium wave towers. It is likely that during the meeting with President Irfaan Ali, the request again placed on the table by the US Secretary of State.
In a recent interview with News Room, President Ali described the visit by the US Secretary of State as “extremely important,” noting that that the two countries intends to strengthen their bilateral relations.
Aside from Guyana’s development, the Head of State said that there are a number of issues regionally and globally that require attention by countries.
“I think his visit is at a key time especially when as a country, we are exploring various initiatives in accessing capital, ensuring that we have capital that is not only accessible but cheap capital or low-interest capital. We also have a transformative agenda that we want all to be involved in,” President Ali said.
