…just over two weeks ago

THE International Republican Institute (IRI) resident Country Director, Glenn Bradbury, whose visa and work permit were revoked just over two weeks ago is still in Guyana, although whether or not he is still working remains unclear.Bradbury is in charge of implementing the controversial $300M United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded Leadership and Democracy (LEAD) project and has been in Guyana since September 25, 2013.
General-Secretary of the ruling party, Clement Rohee, yesterday made it clear that the revocation of Bradbury’s extension of stay was effective immediately and the United States Embassy employee is unauthorized to work in Guyana.
Speaking at a press conference held at Freedom House, Robb Street, he said, “Bradbury has engaged himself in the internal political affairs of Guyana. His arrogance, deceitful and counter-productive approaches would not be entertained by any self-respecting nation.
“The PPP (People’s Progressive Party) has found that Bradbury has been engaging institutions without their approval. He has also been misrepresenting reality and abusing long-established protocols.”
Rohee also noted the party’s disappointment that the US embassy would associate itself with Bradbury, who has exposed himself to the “disgust” of stakeholders.
“The PPP supports the Government of Guyana’s decision to revoke the work permit of Mr. Bradbury,” the General-Secretary said.
Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon, last Wednesday disclosed to the media that the revocation was communicated by Bradbury to his employer, the United States Embassy in Guyana, and the Canadian High Commission, as he is a Canadian citizen.
Luncheon told the media, at the time of the disclosure, that the revocation of the documents were based on the conclusion that the “immigration laws of Guyana have been offended” by Bradbury and his actions in Guyana.
In a statement to the media, the United States Embassy said, “The decision to revoke Mr. Bradbury’s permit is contrary to our understanding of the Government of Guyana’s commitment to review together the LEAD programme and to the spirit of the discussions proposed by the Government of Guyana itself.”
Bradbury, according to an online professional profile, has more than 20 years of experience at the House of Commons of Canada as a Senior Parliamentary Assistant and Policy Advisor to Members of Parliament; and has amassed considerable expertise in several areas – governance, parliamentary and committee procedure, legislative drafting, regulatory regime reform, public policy analysis, strategic communications, media relations, reputation management, stakeholder engagement, issues management, and public affairs.
The project, whose implementation he heads, was not approved by Cabinet and this was formally indicated to the relevant authorities on October 26, 2013.

(By Vanessa Narine)