Ramotar warns of International Blacklisting as nation celebrates 48 Anniversary

May 26, 2014 News

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“Opposing for Opposition’s sake and introducing blackmail methods in our politics will gain us nothing, indeed even if it gives results in the short term, it will damage the moral fabric of our society in the medium and long term”

Guyana today observes its 48th Independence Anniversary, a date that marks the end of centuries of oppression including slavery, indentureship and foreign domination.
This is according to Head of State, Donald Ramotar, in his independence message to the thousands that gathered in the National Park for the annual flag raising ceremony.

The President described the road to independence in 1966 as one that was long and arduous and characterized by valiant struggles and acts of mass heroism as well as great individual feats.
“Whether our people were enslaved or bonded as indentured labourers, our peoples’ dream was always to be free, to be able to determine our own path of development.”
The President asserted that “this is, therefore, one of the dates that call for celebration of the achievements of our people…their strength, their bravery, their perseverance, and their sacrifices in the face of a powerful foreign force through the centuries of our history.”
The President used the opportunity to highlight some of the many gains and achievements over the years such as the uninterrupted growth rate of the economy among others.
He also used the opportunity to lament the cuts to the funds for the Specialty Hospital and Airport Projects among others.
What was seemingly the President’s biggest lament was the current imbroglio surrounding the non passage of the Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill and the consequences.
According to the President, “How can we speak about fighting corruption and Narco-trafficking and refuse to pass the Financial Action Taskforce (FATF) and Caribbean Financial Action Taskforce (CFATF) compliant Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism bill?”
President Ramotar said that in blocking such a Bill coming to the House, the political opposition has exposed Guyana to being black listed by the international community with all the consequences that will follow.
“As we meet tonight (last night) the Guyana delegation is on their way to the CFATF meeting which will review Guyana on our independence day and all indications are that Guyana will automatically be forwarded for review by the FATF.”
Ramotar said that this means that Guyana will be listed immediately as a country that threatens the global financial, banking and insurance systems and countries will be instructed to take protective measures against Guyana.
“What will Guyana gain by these irresponsible and reckless tactics in our body politic…This I believe will have an impact on the collective morality of our nation…These actions threaten the foundations of our freedom and democracy that our fore parents fought so gallantly for.”
On the international front the President reminded that, “we are marking this anniversary in a world that has grown more complex, more interconnected, but, unfortunately, one which still remains very unequal between the developing South and the developed North.”
According to Ramotar, “International relations today are still dominated and determined by a handful of rich countries.  Many of the institutions established, particularly the International Financial Institutions mostly geared to serve the interest of the most rich and powerful countries.”
He noted that developing countries have to manage the affairs of their states in a disadvantageous situation.
This, he said, is reflected in the growing inequality in relation to access to resources and the huge income gap between the rich and poor countries of the world.
“Today, the richest 85 persons in the world are worth more than the poorest 3.5 billion persons; almost a half of the world’s wealth is owned by just one percent of the population; and the bottom half of the global population own less than one percent of total wealth.”
The President said that the struggle for socio-economic justice and a more equitable world continues.
“One of the major issues is the need to democratise international relations…It is patently evident that the vast majority of countries in the world and by extension the peoples of those countries do not have enough influence on international politics and economics.”
Ramotar said that this situation demands that Guyana continues to build greater solidarity among the developing world while we work in alliance with those developed countries interested in genuine partnership.
The president noted that Guyana has, over the last two decades, increased its contacts with countries on the African continent.
“We play an active role in major organizations that seek to improve relations among the countries of both North and South America.”
He noted too that “We are working in the Organisation of American States (OAS), as well as in UNASUR, MERCOSUR and CELAC…In recent years cooperation with countries in the Americas has improved greatly. “
He noted that this is a good foundation and “we need to continuously promote such cooperation and work with countries both in the North and South…This will allow us to broaden our international relations and benefit from wider cooperation.”
The President pointed out that, in a wider setting, Guyana is also working with other former colonies to enhance the nation’s collective influence on world affairs.
“This is manifested in our role in the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries… It is an important forum for us.”
The ACP, he observed, was formed to allow us to interact with the European Union in a more collective way.
“Now we are working to allow it to expand its relations with other countries and blocs of states.
Guyana also takes an active part in the work of the Commonwealth. ..This body brings together both developed and developing countries and seeks to enhance cooperation between and among them.”
Ramotar divulged too that Guyana has earned the international reputation of being one of the leaders in the fight against climate change and to better prepare the world to confront the challenges associated with it.
“Needless to say this is the greatest challenge of our time and Guyana stands in the front ranks of the struggle even though we play no part in creating this problem.”
Ramotar in concluding his Independence Day message, called for a renewed patriotism and nationalism from the political parties.
“Opposing for Opposition’s sake and introducing blackmail methods in our politics will gain us nothing, indeed even if it gives results in the short term, it will damage the moral fabric of our society in the medium and long term…The only criteria should be what is in the interest of our people and country.”
According to Ramotar, “As we approach the 50th Anniversary of our Independence let us work in greater cooperation and unity… We still have a lot to do to further enhance the quality of life in Guyana.”

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