THE United States embassy in Georgetown last evening held a reception at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston to mark the 239th Independence Anniversary of the United States of America from the United Kingdom, and Chief of Mission Bryan Hunt recognises the similarities between Guyana and the United States in the fight for national unity. “The United States, like Guyana, has embraced diversity, and we both view it as a strength, not a weakness,” Chief of Mission of the US Embassy in Georgetown, Bryan Hunt told the gathering. He cautioned, however: “We both know the whole is better than the sum of its parts, and that is why we work hand in hand and walk step by step to move forward.”

Hunt was keen to note that while in the United States tensions flared in cities such as Ferguson, Baltimore, and New York, a similar line could be drawn with Guyana, where “the form of ethnically divisive rhetoric on the campaign trail” bears similarities to the “racial discord” in some U.S cities.
Hunt reasoned, however, that both the U.S and Guyana have “emerged stronger from these experiences, in no small part due to the visions of our respective senior leaders.” He noted, too, that while U.S President Barack Obama has spoken about healing that country’s racial divide, President Granger and Acting President Moses Nagamootoo “have eloquently called for national unity and stressed the need for social and ethnic inclusion.”
The senior U.S embassy official recalled that in July 2014 when then acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Priya Manickchand doled out her infamous “feral blast” against then U.S Ambassador, Brent Hardt. Hardt, who demitted office late last year, was criticised by the former People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government for his strong stance against the 20-year reluctance to call Local Government Elections.
“Today,” Hunt said in his address, “I can confidently pledge American support to President Granger and Prime Minister Nagamootoo as their government prepares to hold local government elections by the end of 2015.”
Meanwhile, acting President Moses Nagamootoo, who also addressed the gathering, extended gratitude to the United States as the country continues in its drive towards social and economic development, and towards improving the security sector.
“We have witnessed the further strengthening of several programmes in areas considered important to the Government of Guyana for the promotion of economic and social well-being of our people, in combating especially narco-and trans-border crime, and in exploring alternative energy resources,” Mr. Nagamootoo said.

“I may be bold to announce that there will be no more feral blasts”, Mr. Nagamootoo said to thunderous applause and laughter in the room, “on any of these occasions.”
“I wish to lift that curse of damnation from Ambassador Brent Hardt, and to acknowledge that his advocacy for local government elections has borne fruit, with the tabling in the National Assembly of the Local Government (Amendment) Bill to pave the way for these elections.”
With the recent passage of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill, Mr. Nagamootoo said, “This is only the beginning of a new vibrant and democratic parliament that also embraces the ideals of liberty in pursuit of happiness for all of our people.”
In his address, Hunt similarly touched on the issue of Guyana’s 11th Parliament which the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has notably refused to join since its June 10 convening.
While jovially plugging that he now understands the definition of a “feral blast,” the intricacies of prorogation, and the critical importance of international election observation, he is optimistic that the next lesson will be on “how to form a vibrant parliamentary opposition.”
Hunt also confessed to having learnt about the “warmth, hospitality, goodwill, creativity, dynamism, and tremendous strength of the Guyanese people,” and is hopeful that these traits will take Guyana forward in prosperity.

By Derwayne Wills