Shadow Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Roysdale Forde S.C said the United States (U.S) seizure of Permanent Secretary (P.S), Ms. Mae Toussaint Jr. Thomas’ telephone is significant. Thomas recently left Guyana for China via the U.S. Whilst in-transit in the U.S, her telephone was seized by the U.S immigration authority. According to the senior counsel, this matter is of urgent national interest and the Government must come clean and do so quickly.
The Government claimed, up to now, there is no information on the matter. But in an interview with this publication, the senior counsel said a matter of this nature, involving the highest public servant in the Ministry of Home Affairs -which is responsible for national security- should be transparent given the implications associated with the issue.
“By now, the government should have been able to provide the nation with some explanation, and society would find it difficult to believe the government has been unable to make contact with the permanent secretary or she with them.”
The fact that the P.S was enroute to China suggests the public servant was on government’s business, Forde advised, stating these are details and confirmation that must be released immediately.
The U.S immigration authority is known for its strict vigilance on criminal activities and matters significant to its own security and national interest. Asked to offer a comment on this fact, Forde said that the P.S was deemed a person of interest, sufficient for her telephone to be seized and placed under the control of the U.S’ authority for further investigation, speaks volume.
According to him, what transpired should raise concern not only for the Government and Opposition of Guyana but every citizen. “Even as this is so and tension may rise, given Guyana’s questionable activities on crime that has attracted international concern, we must remain cognisant the permanent secretary, as the law provides, is innocent until proven guilty,” said the senior counsel.
Further he said, there was no information the P.S was charged or she was likely to be charged as she was understandably able to leave the country. “It is important to note also the fact that the telephone device was seized, suggests the device was seen as providing relevant information on crime fighting and matters of U.S national interest.”
Going further, the shadow minister said Guyanese cannot ignore Guyana has a reputation where criminals and criminal activities have been exposed through U.S surveillance and vigilance. “This must not be lost sight of, and the fact President Ali government has been disregarding the regulations of international organisations we associate with, such as the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, will further erode our standing and reputation in the international arena.”
