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THE United States is calling on Caribbean countries to advise Cuba to address issues of democracy and human rights, but Guyana has opted to not get involved in the internal affairs of that country. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett told a press conference on Friday that there is an understanding in the diplomatic world that they will have to agree to disagree on certain issues. “Cuba has been a very good friend to us and the United States has been a very good friend to us. I don’t know that there is a one-size fit all where democracy is concerned. I see that many of the countries have partners with other countries that don’t have our brand of democracy as well,” she stated.
The minister added that there are many other issues in the area of human rights which Guyana would like to discuss.
She said: “For instance, we would like to discuss human rights with deportees and some of our people coming back here and some of the things we would like to see included there.”
Meanwhile, US Plenipotentiary Representative to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Ambassador Brent Hardt, who was also present at the media briefing, said his country is not perfect and that they are trying to deal with some very serious security threats.
However, he highlighted that the US is a staunch defender of human rights throughout the world and will continue to be that.
Moreover, Hardt stressed that the US is not trying to tell the Caribbean how to conduct their relations with Cuba.
“We think the Caribbean has a lot to offer…and it’s always struck me that there is great potential for this region to help and move Cuba to a place where its people can also share those same values, those same freedoms,” he asserted.
He related that because the Caribbean is such a good friend and partner with Cuba, that they would be more inclined to listen to Caribbean countries rather than the US.
The Ambassador added that former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, who last Friday formally resigned from the post, has been an outstanding advocate for human rights in all forms.
The minister added that there are many other issues in the area of human rights which Guyana would like to discuss.
She said: “For instance, we would like to discuss human rights with deportees and some of our people coming back here and some of the things we would like to see included there.”
Meanwhile, US Plenipotentiary Representative to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Ambassador Brent Hardt, who was also present at the media briefing, said his country is not perfect and that they are trying to deal with some very serious security threats.
However, he highlighted that the US is a staunch defender of human rights throughout the world and will continue to be that.
Moreover, Hardt stressed that the US is not trying to tell the Caribbean how to conduct their relations with Cuba.
“We think the Caribbean has a lot to offer…and it’s always struck me that there is great potential for this region to help and move Cuba to a place where its people can also share those same values, those same freedoms,” he asserted.
He related that because the Caribbean is such a good friend and partner with Cuba, that they would be more inclined to listen to Caribbean countries rather than the US.
The Ambassador added that former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, who last Friday formally resigned from the post, has been an outstanding advocate for human rights in all forms.
