GENERAL Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Mr Clement Rohee, yesterday stressed that that party holds a similar position to that of the Government on the $300M USAID-funded Leadership and Democracy (LEAD) project.He said: “The party’s position falls fully and squarely behind the position of the Government. The HPS (Head of the Presidential Secretariat), speaking as the main spokesperson for the Government, made it pellucid that the Government is prepared to enter into talks, on the condition that the project be put on hold. You cannot be negotiating something that is being implemented at the same time.”
The project was not approved by Cabinet, and this position was formally communicated to the relevant authorities on October 26, 2013.
Asked about the statement of support for the project by majority of the private sector, Rohee pointed out that while he respects the opinion of the private sector, statements of support ought to consider more than the project document.
“You cannot only look at the project proposal, but also at the correspondence between the two sides, and also look at the views that have been publicly expressed on the matter,” Rohee said.
Private Sector Commission Chairman, Mr Ronald Webster, in a prior interview, told the Guyana Chronicle that the project was the subject of discussions between the PSC and representatives of the United States Embassy last Thursday. The PSC is expected to meet with Government officials before articulating its position on the matter.
Meanwhile, Former PSC Chairman Captain Gerry Gouveia has noted that the Government needs to explain more clearly why it is rejecting the project, and should take steps to restore good relations with the United States.
President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce (GCCI), Mr Clinton Urling, has also expressed similar sentiments.
Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon, acknowledged at his last post-Cabinet press conference that the issue is not an “insurmountable” one. However, he made clear that there would be no negotiation under duress.
Government has since written US Ambassador Brent Hardt seeking clarification following reports that aspects of the rejected USAID Leadership and Democracy Project were still being implemented, despite the administration’s objection to its design. The response received from the US Embassy called on the Government to engage the US on aspects such as the design of the project.
The way forward in regard to the project has yet to be clarified.