THE Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO), youth arm of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), has accused the Alliance For Change (AFC) party of sacrificing the interest of the nation at the altar of petty politics.

In a statement issued yesterday, the PYO said:
“Once again, the AFC has demonstrated that they are prepared to sacrifice our nation’s best interest at the altar of petty politics.
“Once again, the AFC has taken a position which puts them on the side of criminals and criminality.
“Once again, the AFC has demonstrated their willingness to pursue the vested interest of a few, over and above the welfare of Guyana.”
The PYO added that it is from this perspective and for these reasons, it condemns in the strongest possible manner, the AFC’s public declaration that they will not support the amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Act.
It noted too that the importance of these amendments have been recognised even by the diplomatic community which have engaged the opposition and solicited their support. This issue is one that is so important that no political leader or party who has this nation’s interest at heart will take the position adopted by the AFC.
It added that the amendments which are before the Parliament arise out of Guyana’s obligations under two UN conventions to which Guyana is a signatory.
The PYO said that significantly, a task-force whose responsibility it is to monitor the performance of countries with respect to obligations which flow from this treaty recently visited Guyana and made it very clear that unless these amendments are enacted before May 27 2013, when Guyana will be reviewed at a conference in Nicaragua, severe sanctions will be imposed on Guyana as a country.
“The range of these sanctions will include many international financial institutions, countries, and international corporations severing business relations with Guyana. Our commercial banks which are the agents for international banks may not be able to continue their relationship any longer. All monies coming out of Guyana will be tainted with a stigma of illegality and Guyana as a nation will be placed on a list of delinquent nations and this list will be circulated worldwide.
“In short, Guyana’s ability to transact business across its borders will be severely affected and this in turn will change the nature of commerce in Guyana. These important implications and consequences appear to mean nothing to the AFC. They seem prepared to play petty politics with the future of our country,” the PYO asserted.
Significantly, the PYO said, money laundering and terrorism are international crimes and every country in the free world is taking legislative and other measures to address this monster. Guyana cannot afford to take a different position.
“The AFC is no stranger to allegations of having connections to the criminal underworld. Suspicion abounds with respect to the source of that party’s financing. Its leadership connection to known actors in Guyana’s underworld is beyond speculation. The AFC’s position on this issue is therefore consistent with these allegations. We recall their refusal to support the Amendments to the Firearms Act a few months ago. Their scapegoat then was Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee. Their scapegoat now is President Donald Ramotar,” the PYO charged.
The PYO charged that by these actions, the AFC is demonstrating to the Guyanese people and the world that they stand on the side of criminals and criminality and against law and order. We recall also the role that the AFC played in the Linden unrest which led to violence and death. The role that the AFC played in calling out criminals to block the East Bank Public road at Agricola which resulted in violence and mayhem where dozens of people were beaten, assaulted and robbed and hundreds dislocated.
“It is not insignificant to note that the two bills which the President withheld his assent from are A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) bills and not the AFC’s.”
“We therefore reject the reason advanced by the AFC, that their refusal to support the Anti-Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Act is because the President withheld his assent to two of APNU’s bills on the fact that they were unconstitutional. We believe that this reason given by the AFC is simply a facade. The real reason is that they are protecting the vested interest of criminal elements in our country. We therefore call on all patriotic Guyanese to reject the AFC’s position and to say to them very clearly and loudly that this is an issue too important to our country’s welfare and future and must not take precedence over their devious political agenda,” the PYO exhorted.