America is a partner but not one to be always trusted

Apr 06, 2023 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

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Kaieteur News – The former President of Libya, Muammar Gaddafi, once warned his people about the Americans and the Europeans and their agenda concerning Africa’s wealth. He said to them, “If Europe and America, tell you that they love you, be careful. They love the oil of your land: the oil and not your people.”

Guyana has discovered oil. And ever since that discovery Europe and America have fallen in love with Guyana. But is it with our people or with oil?

A few weeks ago, a delegation from the United States Congress visited Guyana. And President Ali almost tripped over himself in adulation of the Americas. He told a reception hosted in honour of the visiting delegation that they have nothing to fear from Guyana, and that America is a “trusted partner”.

He was quoted by the Guyana Chronicle as saying, “You are our trusted partner. We are proud of our partnership and we’re going to work together to make Guyana and the US stronger together. “You have nothing to fear; Guyana is, and will continue to be an important strategic partner of the United States.”

Under President Ali, relations with the United States have never been healthier. But he is reaping the rewards of the rapprochement which began under President Granger who had the enviable task of repairing the fractured relationship which resulted from the decision of a PPPC Minister to go the then US Ambassador’s residence and deliver a feral blast. With the discovery of oil and the fact that the major partner in the exploration and production of oil is the American multinational ExxonMobil, it is only natural that Guyana should enjoy a good relationship and, indeed, a partnership with the United States of America.

It is also in Guyana’s national interest that Guyana should pursue a strategic relationship with the United States of America, more so because of the threat which was posed to our democracy by the attempt to rig the 2020 elections.  But to say that America is a “trusted” partner is a case of the President’s inexperience showing. America can be a partner just as China can be a partner. But the President must not make the assumption that the Americans can ever be a “trusted” partner. For almost 25 years, America conspired to deny the Guyanese people free and fair elections because they saw Burnham as the lesser of the two evils when compared with Jagan. And even Burnham ended up feeling the wrath of the Americans. They refused to help him when he needed help.

After the bombing of the Cuban aircraft in 1976, Burnham met with a US diplomat.  Now declassified documents reported the diplomat as recalling that he was of the opinion that Burnham felt a personal responsibility for the loss of the Guyanese lives on that ill-fated flight. During the conversation, Burnham requested that the United States kill those responsible for the terrorist attack. This request shocked the diplomat who promptly told Burnham that America does not do things that way. To which Burnham replied, “You have done it before!”

Unlike Ali Burnham understood where he stood with the Americans. He had a sound understanding of US imperialism and its ways. Burnham, however, needed them to keep Jagan out of power. But he would never have deemed them a trusted partner.  Under President Ali, Guyana has developed a fawning relationship with the United States. And the United States has spared no effort in making it clear that it does not support improved relations between Guyana and China. Indeed, America is now involved in a new Cold War against China.

But does President Ali feels that this new Cold War is about protecting Guyana’s interests? It is not. It is all about curtailing China’s growing influence in the world, an influence that could see China superseding America as the world’s dominant economy by mid-century. Guyana needs America. The threat posed to our democracy requires the active support of the Americans. But Guyana has to be wary that America is looking after its interests and is using its influence to ensure that the interests of American companies are not jeopardized in Guyana. And it is within the right of the Americans to do so.

But Guyana must also look at its own interests and not become a pawn in the new Cold War which is being waged by America against China. If the balance sheet is examined, China has done more for Guyana than America. Apart from Cuba, China has been the best ally that Guyana has ever had as an independent state. America is a weakening power. Its global influence is waning. Just recently Brazil and China signed an agreement for trade between them to be settled in their respective currencies. This means that the US dollar will no longer be the intermediating currency for trade between these China and Brazil.

President Ali has to take note of these emerging international trends. While no one expects him to harden his stance towards the Americans, the least he can do is to become more realistic about his description of relations with the United States.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this newspaper and its affiliates.)

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• Africa, Guyana, Muammar Gaddafi, President of Libya, Wealth

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