PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar was warmly received in New York by the large diaspora as he interacted with Guyanese in Richmond Hill and Brooklyn.
Guyanese from all walks of life came out to receive the President as he set out to discuss the many pressing issues confronting their homeland.
His Excellency spoke at Moka, 130-35 91 Ave and visited Liberty Avenue to have an exchange with Guyanese apprising them of the political situation back home. He also met with Guyanese in Flatbush, Brooklyn.

Earlier, the President attended meetings at the United Nations.

This was the President’s first visit to the U.S., since he became President almost six months ago.
The President said he decided to use his New York visit to update Guyanese of all ethnicities on political developments in their homeland since the outcome of the general election on November 28 in which the ruling PPP/C is short of one seat for a majority in parliament and the obstacles the government is facing from the opposition in passing bills.

At the various sites, the President elaborated on government’s policy of building the capacity of the country’s human resources and government’s keenness to promote development to benefit all.

The President told Guyanese he always felt at home coming to New York where hundreds of thousands of his fellow countrymen and women are settled.

He thanked Guyanese for taking time out to interact with him. In turn, Guyanese said they were pleased to see Ramotar in his new role as President having met him several times before in the city called the financial capital of the world.

At Moka, the President was given a standing ovation amidst loud cheers as he entered the hall. He was welcomed by Miss Guyana World 2012 who garlanded him in a traditional Guyanese gesture.
The Moka meeting was dubbed ‘Guyana Independence: Meeting the
Diaspora’. There, President Ramotar told the overflowing hall of hundreds that the opposition is using its one-seat majority to stymie the economic progress of the country and to divide the nation. The audience, comprising people of all ethnicities, walks of life and political persuasions, listened attentively to the Guyanese Head of State as he delivered his remarks. He told the gathering he was pleased to have a discourse with them and that he hopes to have frequent exchanges with the diaspora and to tap into their expertise and skills.
The President’s remarks were frequently interrupted with loud applause and were laced with some good humour, especially in his description of the opposition.
The Head of State accused the opposition of “being intoxicated with parliamentary power.”  But the President pointed out that he is firmly in charge of the executive branch of government and that he would do everything in his power to ensure continued growth in Guyana’s social and economic life.
President Ramotar said in spite of the problems the government faces from the combined opposition APNU (PNC) and the AFC, the country is making economic strides. The President said he wants to work together with the opposition but accuses them of not wanting to work with him and/or cooperate with him for the advancement of Guyana.
Ramotar called on the opposition to join him in working together to address the problems affecting the country.
Addressing the budget cuts, Ramotar said “there is no logic in the huge $21B cut in the proposed budget. Most of the cuts make no sense”. He said the cuts were thoughtless, selfish, irrational and illogical.
Describing the cuts as “nearly criminal” in intent, he said the budgetary cuts by the joint opposition APNU and the AFC “would strike deep at the heart of this policy and create disadvantages for the poor.”
Repeating that the cuts were “wicked and vindictive” and meant to hurt the working class, His Excellency said the $21B budget will leave many public servants heading for the breadline. However, the President said he will try to limit the loss of jobs resulting from the huge budget cuts.
Ramotar said the government is creating equal opportunities for all, adding that his administration is making sure that every child has access to education and learns how to use a computer. He said in spite of the severe budget cuts from the opposition, he will continue to do all he can to enable poor families to obtain computers.
Ramotar told the diaspora that the country is open for investment and urged them to return home to help with development. He said the country has made advances in the social sector including education, housing, information technology, food production, and health. He also said the country intends to establish a specialty hospital that will cost substantially less for surgeries being conducted abroad. He also said the country is looking at health tourism once the hospital is constructed and will also promote eco-tourism.
Ramotar condemned the opposition cutting funds for solar panels to benefit the poor in the hinterland regions. He said the solar panels will help the poor people of the outlying regions to experience a modern standard of life. The President said the government is committed to generating cheap electricity which is essential for economic progress to bring in investments and advance manufacturing. He said he will continue to invest heavily in education, health and agriculture. He said agriculture will help the economy to grow.
Also addressing the gathering was Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh who impressed the audience with his economic facts and statistics about the state of the economy. Like President Ramotar, he showed how the opposition budget cuts would impact on development. Dr. Singh thanked the gathering for its unflinching support to the government and people
of Guyana. He noted that while countries are struggling to stave off economic crises, Guyana grew at five percent per annum over the last five years.
Among the dignitaries at the event were New York Counsel General
Brentnol, Evans and Deputy Mithulall, Deputy of the U.N Mission M. R. Khan, High Commissioner to Canada, Harrinarine Nawbatt, and Guyana UN Mission head Mr. Talbut. The event was chaired by Raj Singh of the ACG.
The event was broadcast live via facebook by Anter Narine, an independent correspondent of I News.