Lest it be cast as ‘namak harams’

THE ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Monday declared that the “intellectual skunks” who never cease to distort history — the combined Opposition — want the Government of Guyana to shake hands and say thank you to those who “abuse and mock” Guyana; or be cast in the role of “namak haram” (treacherous).

Issuing a statement on the matter, the PPP expressed its views on the breach of the fundamental principle of diplomatic behaviour by the former United States Ambassador to Guyana, Brent Hardt. Its statement said the U.S. Ambassador breached the international comity which states that: “One State, to the greatest extent possible, (must) recognise the legislative, executive or judicial acts of another.”

The PPP questioned whether the US ambassador was acting on his own, or was acting in accordance with the imprimatur of the U.S. State Department.

The party’s statement followed the ensuing fallout that occurred after the former US Ambassador was upbraided earlier this month for ‘crossing a red line’ with his comments.

Ambassador Hardt had been one of the most vocal persons in the diplomatic corps, calling on the current administration to hold local government elections. He had been vocal to the point where he criticised President Donald Ramotar for “selectively” abiding by Guyana’s constitution, even as the country awaits long-overdue local government elections. It was this comment that constituted a ‘red line’ for the Government, and resulted in then Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Priya Manickchand taking Ambassador Hardt to task at a US Independence celebration held at his home, where he repeated his call for the “restoration of effective, elected local government” in Guyana.

The PPP party reiterated that Manickchand’s statement had the approval of the Government of the Republic of Guyana, as was clarified by Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon. The party said Manickchand had full power to make her address.

At last Thursday’s sitting of the National Assembly, Minister Manickchand was “booed and heckled” by the combined Opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC); but the ruling party has stated that according to the video footage, it was the usual suspects, the individuals who spend their days and nights plotting and planning ways and means of seeing the back of the PPP/C Government, who had engaged in heckling the minister.

“In accordance with the practice of Diplomacy, diplomats are sent abroad to engage in advocacy for, and to advance the interests of, their country. The ultimate aim is to influence others to support their views. In other words, to make them their allies,” the statement said.
The PPP explained that Guyana hosts several ambassadors, high commissioners, delegates and resident representatives representing their governments and international organisations. These individuals enjoy the basic privileges and immunities offered, and are guaranteed by the Government of Guyana; but with the exception of a few sporadic statements that can be described as undiplomatic and interference in the internal affairs of our country, the majority of diplomats here in Guyana have held steadfastly and honourably to convention and the orthodoxy of diplomatic practice.

“The former U.S. ambassador carved out for himself the role of the elephant,” the party said.
The statement also mentioned, “As regards the claims that Manickchand’s staunch representation of our country’s sovereignty and dignity being a “cuss down”, “vulgar” and “undiplomatic”, all this is nothing more than useless twaddle by a few posturing messiahs and untrustworthy egoists, who probably pay no taxes, have no certificate, nor make any tangible contribution to improving the wellbeing of the Guyanese working people.

“Like peacocks strutting the diplomatic circuit, this useless bunch displays pretentious airs as traffickers of modern ideas, when in fact they are nothing more than a gathering of gurus of fathomless ignorance.”

In response to the claims made that the PPP depreciated the help rendered by the U.S. to return democracy in 1992, the statement pointed out, “The PPP has always made reference to the strong support extended first and foremost by U.S. Congressman and Senator above all, the former President Jimmy Carter, and later by President George Bush. That’s part of our history, only ignoramuses would not know that.”

“What must never be forgotten or downplayed is the decisive, arduous and central role played by the Guyanese people at home and abroad in forcing the PNC to hold free and fair elections,” the ruling party said.

(By Sandy Agasen)