Latest update April 23rd, 2024 12:59 AM
Feb 17, 2020 Letters
DEAR EDITOR,
A recent survey of hundreds conducted by this writer found that every Guyanese, in the US and in Guyana, want closer relations with the United States. The US has been an ally of Guyana going back last seventy years. Historically, post independence 1966, US and Guyana have had very good, friendly relations although there were periods of tensions during the 1950s thru 1964 and from 1976 thru the 1980s.
The bilateral relationship was especially close with then Guyana regime post independence in the 1960s and 1970s when the regime collaborated with the US to serve as a bulwark against the rise of leftwing forces threatening US interests in Guyana and the region. The relationship has been transformed since that time with the US now focusing on institutionalizing democracy and boosting trade ties. The left is not a threat to US interests in Guyana.
US-Guyana have had very good, warm relations as a result of politics and people to people linkages. There are as many Guyanese and their American born descendants living in America as the total population of Guyana. The US has the highest concentration of people born in Guyana and no country has a higher percentage of its citizens living in the US.
In opinion polls I recently conducted, Guyanese have very high favorability rating towards the US especially since the US restored democratic governance in 1992. The US policy in Guyana since then has focused on strengthening democratic governance, including but not limited to the promotion of human rights and the rule of law. The US is also interested in enhancing economic prosperity and improving the long-term security in the country as well as on the border with Venezuela. US wants to secure its interests in Guyana and the region. The U.S provides a lot of financial aid to Guyana over the last five decades as a result of the country’s long-standing development challenges. Aid levels were particularly high during the 1960s and early 1970s as Guyana served as a ‘base’ for U.S operations against the left. U.S. assistance began to wane as Guyana embraced communist movements late 1970s.
Relations with the US strained when the country veered eastward during the mid 1970s and 1980s. Foreign assistance was cut. Diplomatic and economic sanctions were applied as pressure tactics on the government to return to its once close link with America. Following the collapse of communism in 1989, relations between the two countries returned to normalcy. The US intervened in Guyana in 1990 to restore democratic governance that led to the rise of the left wing PPP administration that has been pursing closer links with Washington. The PPP has mellowed and seeks close links with Washington. Foreign assistance and cooperation were restored in 1992.
Aid began to flow without hindrance. It is used to promote an open economy capable of sustainable growth, an improved business and investment climate, protection of American corporate and citizen rights, and the well-being of the country. The US, for its part, works with the government to address regional challenges – including the fight against terrorism, transnational criminal networks, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, illegal immigration, and trafficking in persons. It also supports environmental protection.
The US Embassy works closely with civil society to promote individual rights and democracy including free and fair elections. And it collaborates with the private sector to promote free trade particularly with the US which is Guyana’s largest trade partner.
Civilian and democratic rule had become and still is the lynchpin for U.S policy in Guyana. Democracy has been strengthened. The US has also supported and funded the holding of free and fair elections. American institutions have played a close role in elections.
US officials see democratic elections as the only realistic way to address political conflict. US also maintains significant security (military) and commercial ties, and engages on issues such as migration and human rights.
The US funds a wide range of development activities in Guyana. These activities include good governance programs intended to strengthen institutions. The US also aids activities to encourage civil society engagement and oversight of government policies. The US provides assistance to agriculture programs intended to increase food security and rural income generation. It also aids education programs intended to improve the quality of the education system. It also aids economic reform programs intended to foster employment and income growth. The US gives bilateral aid to provide training and equipment for the military. US aid has traditionally been driven by high levels of poverty and unemployment;.
The US and Guyana have cooperated closely on security issues for many years. Current bilateral security efforts primarily focus on the border threat from Venezuela and drug trafficking. The US supports counter narcotics operations. U.S. Assistance to Guyana is guided by a strategy to keep China and Russia from strengthening their presence in the region. The US wants to
Increase opportunities for American businesses.
It is not surprising that Guyanese wants to cement ties with America. There may be as many Guyanese and their American born descendants living in America as the total population of Guyana. The US has the highest concentration of people born in Guyana and no country has a higher percentage of its citizens living in the US; some one in three born in Guyana over the last forty years live in the US.
In opinion polls I conducted, Guyanese has very high favorability rating (in the 90 percentile) towards the US. And they say they want their government and the political parties to also develop friendly relations with Washington. America. They welcome the move by former left wing parties to court the US and to work closely with Washington and the US Embassy in Georgetown. Those Guyanese in America also want US to cement ties with Guyana and supports the initiatives taken by Washington to promote democracy in the former homeland.
Yours truly,
Dr. Vishnu Bisram
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