– according to PM Hinds at independence celebration
THE American Embassy in Guyana, last Friday evening, hosted a gala reception in commemoration of the United States of America’s 235th anniversary since the signing of the declaration of independence on July 04, 1776. Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, performing the duties of President, in his remarks at the reception,  said that occasions such as this one provide an opportunity to reflect on the great strides that the United States have made, and which has led to the country attaining a very influential position in the global arena.
“There should be no doubt that the level of economic and social development enjoyed by the United States is as a result of the hard work and endurance of its people in their efforts at nation building and the preservation and maintenance of independence,” the Guyanese Prime Minister lauded.
He noted that as a developing country seeking to improve the quality of life of its citizens, Guyana continues to consider the US as an influential model and partner in the process of nation building, as traditionally, it has been one of the country’s main development partners in a number of areas such as education, governance, security, and economic growth and development.
In the area of health, a notable development programme between the two countries in recent years has been the US President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PREPFAR).
With regards to economic development, Guyana has received support for the improvement of the agriculture sector and assistance through the Millennium Challenge Corporation to address the country’s fiscal deficit by means of developing the management and fiduciary oversight of Government expenditure.
As it relates to governance, the Prime Minister said assistance for the institutional strengthening of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is much appreciated; while in the area of security, the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the use of an electronic system to trace illicit firearms (E-Trace) and the signing of an agreement on April 18, 2011 under the bilateral component of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, to establish and support projects in law enforcement and tracking money laundering, have always been welcomed by the Guyana Government.
“The support of the US has helped us to pursue activities within the context of our poverty reduction and national development strategies and is very much appreciated,” Mr. Hinds posited.
However, whilst acknowledging the ongoing partnerships and areas of cooperation between the two countries, the Prime Minister expressed Government’s distress over the recently published US State Department Report on Trafficking in Persons (TIP).
“We find it replete with misrepresentations of the reality on the ground in Guyana, even though we have acquired a fairer ranking, having been moved from the ‘Tier 2 Watch List’ to ‘Tier Two’…the report paints Guyana in a negative light while ignoring the progress that is being made to eliminate trafficking by having those found to be traffickers feeling the full force of the law and by protecting and caring for victims and potential victims,” he asserted.
As it relates to the issue of climate change, Prime Minister Hinds said Guyana is committed to achieving the objectives of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). On the international front, Guyana has also been playing an integral role within the REDD-plus partnership of which it assumed the co-chairmanship.
He added that Guyana is particularly committed to the work of this international partnership, since it aims to operationalise the establishment of a global incentive structure for reducing emissions through avoided deforestation and by which countries can receive payment for forest climate services.
Charge’d Affaires of the US Embassy in Georgetown Mr. Thomas Pierce, in his remarks, echoed the sentiments of US President Mr. Barack Obama, who said that on this occasion, strengthening ties with other countries on the basis of mutual interest and respect, will always be the cornerstone of his Administration’s foreign policy in light of the challenges that no single nation can meet alone.
“We continue to work with Guyana and other partners and in multi-lateral forums in furthering the community of democracy, strengthening civil societies, and promoting freedoms and human rights,” he said.
These partnerships which can be seen in areas such as health, regional security, climate change, and promoting economic prosperity, seeks to create inclusive opportunities for individuals and societies, Mr. Pierce said.
He also used the occasion to extend congratulations to the Government and people of Canada, who celebrated ‘Canada Day’ on July 1, commemorating the formation of the union of the British North America provinces in a federation under the name of Canada. This holiday is akin to the US July 4th celebration.
Guyana and the United States have shared fruitful bilateral relations since 1966.
*** PHOTO saved in Graphics file as: ‘emba reception 1’
Charge d’ Affaires at the United States Embassy in Georgetown Mr. Thomas Pierce, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and his lovely wife Mrs. Yvonne Hinds share a light moment at the gala anniversary celebration last Friday evening at a reception hosted by the US embassy to mark the 235th anniversary since the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence on July 04, 1776. (GINA photo)