THE grassroots movements had better understand the dynamics of passing the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill and get a better grasp of the government, because it is useful to widen the scope, and take a politico-economic perspective. The Bill will be expensive for the Guyanese people. It is therefore essential to ensure that an end is put to those financial practices of irresponsible risk-taking.
As noted by the Bank for International Settlements in its 2009 annual report, “A healthy financial system is a precondition for sustained recovery. Delaying financial repair risks hampering the efforts on other policy fronts.”
It is my conviction that we must seek to go beyond these AML/CFT proposals and take a firm political decision and resolve one of the basic dilemmas facing our country. We do not feel that this is an insoluble dilemma, and for this reason, Guyana is prepared to advance, in as good faith as practicable, and we Guyanese people expect feasible proposals to deal with this problem without any injury to the interest of the Guyanese people.
Our position on this matter is dictated by the belief that a solution is critical for the political support for the passing of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill. The maintenance of a common stand against any moneylaunderers or acts of terrorism in our country is necessarily premised on the need to develop the capacity of all Guyanese people of our country to withstand the economic pressures that are inevitably involved in the struggle to achieve fundamental transformation of the existing order.
We must present a united front, or the majority of us will perish; so let us give content to the dialogue among ourselves today. Let us pursue programmes with respect to matters of economic importance. Let us save ourselves and our children today; because tomorrow, it may be too late.

Sherwood Clarke