THE Alliance For Change (AFC) has recently endorsed a US$1.2 million United States (US)-funded project that the governing People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has said is aimed at bolstering the opposition’s chances of success at the polls.The AFC also announced that it supports the American administration’s position that the project would go ahead, even in the absence of approval from the Guyana Government.

Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon, has flayed US Ambassador to Guyana, Mr Brent Hardt, for allegedly not adequately consulting with the Donald Ramotar Administration before crafting the Leadership and Democracy (LEAD) project, and hiring consulting firm International Republican Institute (IRI) to execute activities.

The AFC dismissed concerns by the PPP and the Government that Hardt’s posture violated Guyana’s sovereignty and disregarded state power.

“The AFC believes that any effort which enhances democracy promotes, rather than undermines, sovereignty; and at a time when there has been no local government elections for over fourteen years and when the country is governed by a minority party which is continuously at war with the legislative arm of the state, any effort which improves the participation of a broader cross section of the population in the decision making process of the country is not only welcome but necessary,” that party has said.

LEAD, the AFC said, was not only useful, but necessary at a time when Guyana totters on the brink of minority authoritarianism.

Government has openly stated that it would not recognize motions or assent to Bills passed by the House, which is controlled by the combined opposition with 33 seats – one more than the PPP.

Dwelling on the issue of sovereignty, the AFC accused the PPP of being two-faced by conveniently forgetting that it was PPP Founder Leader Dr. Cheddi Jagan who not only sought but insisted on the participation of former US President Jimmy Carter in his efforts to enhance democracy in Guyana in 1992.

The AFC queried what could be Government’s justification for rejecting the project that seeks to increase participation of the citizenry in democracy building, consensus building in the National Assembly, funding for research and legal drafting skills for Parliamentarians, women and youth civic education festivals, and local government education and awareness.

In addition to claiming that it has not been properly consulted, Government has suggested that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has violated its agreement with the Guyana Government by going ahead with LEAD despite Government’s disapproval.

The Ramotar Administration has also found objectionable the fact that the project would support individual political parties rather than go through parliament, and that it would be engaged in policy-making activities that could lead to constitutional reform.

The Guyana Government has since written to the US State Department seeking confirmation about whether comments by the American Ambassador in the Stabroek News newspaper reflected the views of the US Administration.