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THE Government of Guyana on Friday, February 1st, 2013, signed two signed two security sector support agreements with the United States, paving the way for an additional US$860,000 in security assistance coming to the country through the President Barack Obama-led Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI). The CBSI, which was created in April, 2011, will be providing the US$860,000 and it is anticipated that it will facilitate cooperation in the area of the rule of law and anti-corruption law enforcement, as well as professionalisation support, including border and ports strengthening, countering narcotics control capabilities, and money laundering and financial crimes.
Commenting on the agreement, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, remarked that recently, some additional initiatives were outlined by the Government of Guyana and specifically, the Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, with respect to the security sector, emphasising that the signing of the agreement will in fact complement what has already been done.
Continuing, the minister said, “We know that for us to achieve full citizen security, it is not just the business of the government, but it is the business of the citizens; and we are very pleased that a number of organizations and individuals have come forward to support our security sector plan and we hope that others would come on board shortly.”
“We are therefore very pleased that the United States has continued to support us. Of course, under the rubric of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, which is an initiative between CARICOM and the United States of America?”
Meanwhile, on the question of Cuba’s continuing onward march, Minister Rodrigues-Birkett had good reason to emphasise that Guyana will not get involved in that country’s internal affairs. This was as a result of the call by the United States that the Caribbean countries should advise Cuba to attract issues of democracy and human rights, adverting that the understanding in the diplomatic world, there will be certain issues which call for an agreement to disagree.
It was somewhat refreshing to note that our Prime Minister was able to place on record once again the clear policy of the government, that we will not permit ourselves to be manipulated into violating a well-established diplomatic principle.
Much of the foregoing was published in the Guyana Chronicle.
Commenting on the agreement, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, remarked that recently, some additional initiatives were outlined by the Government of Guyana and specifically, the Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, with respect to the security sector, emphasising that the signing of the agreement will in fact complement what has already been done.
Continuing, the minister said, “We know that for us to achieve full citizen security, it is not just the business of the government, but it is the business of the citizens; and we are very pleased that a number of organizations and individuals have come forward to support our security sector plan and we hope that others would come on board shortly.”
“We are therefore very pleased that the United States has continued to support us. Of course, under the rubric of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, which is an initiative between CARICOM and the United States of America?”
Meanwhile, on the question of Cuba’s continuing onward march, Minister Rodrigues-Birkett had good reason to emphasise that Guyana will not get involved in that country’s internal affairs. This was as a result of the call by the United States that the Caribbean countries should advise Cuba to attract issues of democracy and human rights, adverting that the understanding in the diplomatic world, there will be certain issues which call for an agreement to disagree.
It was somewhat refreshing to note that our Prime Minister was able to place on record once again the clear policy of the government, that we will not permit ourselves to be manipulated into violating a well-established diplomatic principle.
Much of the foregoing was published in the Guyana Chronicle.
