Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jan 26, 2010 News
Jagdeo’s criticism of U.S. role in Haiti…
By Gary Eleazar
Whilst admitting that she did not read the actual text, U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Karen Williams says that there are no untoward ramifications expected as a result of President Bharrat Jagdeo’s critical statements against the United States as it relates to its role in Haiti and the hindrance of some countries to render aid.
“I don’t see any implications for Guyana in that respect,” the diplomat stated.
Asked about Jagdeo’s location at the time of the comment, in light of that country’s relations with the United States, Williams explained that President Barack Obama has made overtures to Iran – in attempts for the two countries to be more open with each other – that have not progressed as desired, but she stressed “We are not going to be going out and telling other nations you can’t visit other countries.”
She said that it could be frustrating when there are people suffering and to see that the assistance that they need is not reaching them, but Williams went on to emphasize that millions of pounds of food and medical supplies have been going out to the affected persons. “We have been doing as much as we possibly can…the reality of the matter is it takes time.”
She explained that the country’s ports were destroyed and with respect to logistics it would take time to figure out feasible alternatives.
President Jagdeo was reported recently in the media as saying that he believes the United States (US) is creating obstacles to the involvement of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and other countries in earthquake-devastated Haiti.
During a recent meeting with the Iranian Vice President, Veep Rahimi, in the Islamic Republic, Jagdeo said he was informed that a delegation comprising Latin American leaders who were seeking to visit Port au Prince faced objection from the US Government and therefore could not make the humanitarian move.
In the wake of the disaster and the decision of the Haitian authorities to hand over control of the airport to the US, Rahimi also raised objection, saying the presence of US forces in Haiti was seriously affecting efforts by other countries to provide assistance to the country in its hour of need.
“I am agreed with the entire axis of your comments,” Jagdeo told the Iranian official. “Although we live in the vicinity of the United States, we are not in agreement with their entire stance, and we do express our dissatisfaction with lots of their policies and viewpoints now and then,” the Guyanese leader stated.
“Many of the moves of the Americans around the globe are against the norms and merely ensure their own interests.”
Alliance For Change leader, Raphael Trotman, had lashed out at President Bharrat Jagdeo over the statements. According to Trotman, the Guyanese leader “does not understand the geopolitical realities that those of us face in the Caribbean”.
He noted that America has always been an ally of the Caribbean, adding too that America played a great part in Haiti’s pre-earthquake problems and such “we should be pushing to have America fix Haiti.”
Trotman said that Jagdeo’s comments were convenient at the time, given the section of the world he was in and might have been trying to “loosen the strings on the purse.”
The US and Haiti have signed a communiqué, of which President Rene Préval stated, “the Government and people of Haiti, welcome as essential to the efforts in Haiti by the Government and people of the United States to support the immediate recovery, stability and long-term rebuilding of Haiti, and requests the United States to assist as needed in augmenting security in support of the Government and people of Haiti and the United Nations, international partners and organisations on the ground.”
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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