As our readers are aware, Guyana's developmental needs, like those of all developing
countries, depend on foreign aid from multilateral lending agencies and donor countries, in
particular, the United States. In the case of the United states, budgetary constraints may bring
about significant cuts in the foreign aid program, and this, no doubt, will affect Guyana. Already,
Guyana is suffering a cut back in the PL480 wheat aid program. Under this program, the US
previously granted Guyana US$6 million worth of wheat, but from this year this has been slashed
by half. Guyana also receives developmental aid from the US which we hope will continue in the
years ahead.
It is important for us to inform policy makers in the US of the continued importance of foreign
aid to our developing economy. Over the past few months I have been meeting with members
of the US Congress and legislators in a number of states, especially the wheat producing states, to
explain the rationale for the continuation of US assistance to Guyana. On Capitol Hill, I have met
with key members of the Appropriations Committees of both the House and the Senate on
this issue. Some policy makers I have met with include Senator Mitch McConnell (Rep.
Kentucky), Chairman of the Foreign Operations Sub-Committee, and Representatives Sonny
Callahan (Rep. Alabama), Chairman of the Foreign Operations of the House Appropriations
Committee, as well as the same Committee's members, Joe Knollenberg (Rep. Michigan), and
Jim Bunn (Rep. Oregon). I have also met with the legislative staff of John Porter (Rep. Illinois) and
that of Joe Skeen (Rep. New Mexico) of the Agriculture Sub-Committee.
In late June, I also met with Dan Burton, Chairman of Western Hemisphere Subcommittee
on International Relations to discuss the issue of foreign aid. The Congressman expressed a
willingness to help Guyana in its quest for continued US foreign assistance. He also, as a
Representative for the State of Indiana, said he would push for expanded trade between his state
and Guyana.
I mention these meetings to impress on you that there is much work to be done to inform
policy makers of Guyana's needs. We need our nationals in the US to assist in this. Over the past
year many Guyanese have been asking how they could assist their home country. One very
important way is to write letters to your Members of Congress to continue support for aid to
Guyana. Many Guyanese in various states have also taken delegations to meet their state
legislators on this matter. These are constructive steps which I am sure will produce fruitful
dividends.
It will be good if all our nationals become involved in this process.
Odeen Ishmael
Guyana has finally received the full US$ 340,787 payment for its participation in the
Multi-National force effort in Haiti. Minority Leader Desmond Hoyte had falsely accused the
Government of not wanting to give the money to the Guyanese soldiers stationed in Haiti. He
claimed that the Government confiscated for revenue , even though it was explained to him that the sum had not yet been
transferred from the US Government to Guyana. The opposition PNC and WPA had stubbornly opposed the
deployment of Guyanese troops to Haiti in the effort to restore President Aristide and
democratic governance in that Caribbean nation. Following the announcement that the money was
finally received, the PNC has stated that it would request the Government to table in Parliament the
agreement it signed with the US Government in relation to the deployment of local soldiers and
police in Haiti.
Meanwhile, the United States Government has written to Foreign Minister Clement Rohee
apologizing for the delay in payment which was to have been made to the government of Guyana
in connection with the participation of Guyanese military and police in Haiti. Deputy Assistant
Secretary of State for Caribbean Affairs, Anne Patterson, in the letter to the Foreign Minister
expressed regret for the confusion and misinformation which arose over the issue.
Cabinet has accepted the recommendations of the International Commission of Jurists for a full
probe into the June 13, 1980 death of historian/politician, Dr. Walter Rodney.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry is seeking help from the French and British governments to
access key figure Gregory Smith and others for the full probe into the death of Dr. Walter
Rodney. The ICJ team that reviewed Dr. Rodney's
files has listed a number of allegations which should be checked by a fuller inquiry including
one that Gregory Smith, the key suspect, obtained a passport from the Guyana consulate in
Suriname shortly after the death of Dr. Rodney. The ICJ also criticized the manner in which legal
proceedings were instituted against Donald Rodney, the brother of the slain WPA leader. The
team found that the trial did not meet "the minimum standards of due process of law as
encapsulated in the international Covenant on Civil and Political Rights", to which Guyana is a
party.
Minister of Finance Bharrat Jagdeo says the government will provide for the 50% wage
increase awarded to non-academic University staffers by a recent arbitration ruling.
This financing is expected to be in the form of a loan to the UG administration, which has
refused to comply with the findings of the Arbitrator.
President Jagan has accused unnamed persons of abusing the freedom of speech and attempting
to incite racial tension on radio and television stations by talking about racially biased
employment practices. He also challenged critics of the PPP/Civic administration who allege racial
discrimination and "ethnic cleansing" to take their charges to the UN Commission on Human
Rights and the OAS Human Rights Commission. The PPP/Civic administration, over a year ago,
signed the Optional Protocol of the UN Commission on Human Rights which allows
individuals and non-governmental groups to raise issues affecting humans rights in that body he
PNC regime up to 1992 stubbornly refused to accede to this protocol.
Following reports of the depletion in the herd of beef cattle throughout Guyana, the Ministry of
Agriculture has identified about 20,000 acres of third depth lands from Ogle to Dochfour, East
Coast Demerara, for pastures. With pressures from expanding rice
cultivation and new housing schemes, there are growing concerns among cattle farmers about the
future location of their herd. This has seen many rushing their cattle to the abattoir. The
government has made it clear that all steps will be taken to ensure sustainability of the beef and
dairy industries.
Guyana has finally joined other CARICOM countries in implementing full currency
convertibility and repatriation from July 1 of this year.
This recent move is aimed at enhancing trade relations among CARICOM states.
Effective from July, currency notes from Barbados, Belize, Jamaica, the Organization of
Eastern Caribbean States and Trinidad and Tobago can be freely changed at licensed foreign
currency dealers in Guyana. Reciprocally, from the same date, Guyana
currency notes became negotiable at the commercial banks in other CARICOM countries
and can be repatriated through these institutions. The floating Jamaica and Trinidad and
Tobago currencies can be repatriated through the commercial bank system while those fixed value
from Barbados, Belize and the Eastern Caribbean Currency Board (ECCB), could be done at the
Central Bank.
Economic analysts say that with direct conversions there would be less pressure on the
US dollar system and as a result, less dependence on the US currency in the region.
Region Two Chairman Ally Baksh last week opened a new nursery school at Adventure on the
Essequibo Coast. The kindergarten students were formerly housed in a dilapidated structure and
through appeals made to the authorities, steps were taken to have the new school built.
In the Pomeroon area, a new school is currently being built at Karawab, and this is
expected to be completed in time for the start of the new school year in September. The 140
children of this area would no longer have to paddle canoes for over seven miles to reach
Kabakaburi where the closest primary school is located.
In West Berbice, the new Fort Wellington Community High School is now completed and
will open its doors to over 500 students in September.
In a related development, various business houses, community development groups and
PTAs are being called upon to assist the Ministry of education in its drive to take radio to all
primary schools. With plans to increase its frequency of broadcasts to schools, the Education
Ministry has discovered that only a fraction of the schools in Guyana have a working radio and
has sounded a call to various social groups to help in this regards.
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has been asked to send a representative to observe the
budgetary systems at the Ministry of Finance. This invitation was extended to the TUC by
Acting Senior Minister of Finance Bharrat Jagdeo when he met a high-level TUC delegation
headed by its president Lincoln Lewis. During the meeting, the Minister explained the budgetary
constraints faced by the government, but noted that all possible steps are being taken to alleviate
the plight of the working people. Another issue deliberated on was concern by both parties about
the cost of living. The TUC has welcomed the Ministry's decision to allow them to observe
budgetary procedures.
The CARICOM Summit at the beginning of July in Georgetown formally admitted Suriname as
the 14th member of the regional grouping. The regional leaders discussed a number of key
matters and agreements were reached on a number of issues including the Common External
Tariff and the removal of licences on goods by member states. Defence and security
arrangements in the interest of the Caribbean Community were also agreed upon. The member
states also undertook to establish a CARICOM Single Market and Economy by 1997. This was
the main agenda item of the Summit.
The Guyana Granites Product Limited, a joint venture arrangement between the government of
Guyana and the Canadian Company, Edgeworth Construction, for the exploitation of the Teperu-Itabu Quarry was
commissioned on July 15 byPresident Cheddi Jagan. The building stone from
this quarry will be used in the current building boom in the country, and on the sea defence
rehabilitation projects in various parts of the country.
Guyanese can now fly in comfort directly to Venezuela, either to Caracas or the city of Puerto
Diaz. The Venezuelan airline, ASCERCA, is now flying weekly between Georgetown and the two
Venezuelan cities. Previously, Guyanese flying to Venezuela had to first go to Port of Spain and
then join another flight to the Spanish speaking republic.
The Guyana Embassy is keeping pace with the developments of technology and cyberspace.
For disseminating information, the Embassy provides information on the World Wide Web on
which a "Guyana News and Information" Page is located. On this "Page", news and information
from Guyana are posted on a weekly basis, and press releases from the Embassy, speeches by the
Ambassador and leading members of the Guyana Government can be accessed. In addition, useful
information on tourism and investment can be obtained. Other useful information on topics such
as Guyana's education system, culture, geography and history is also posted. Vacancies
in the Guyana Public service are also listed on this Guyana Page.
The "Guyana News and Information" Page is also linked to other information sources
providing data on Guyana, such as the "Web" Pages of the OAS and US Government
Departments.
At present, the Guyana Page is not by any means perfect, but we hope to improve its
capability in the days ahead. For those who have access to the World Wide
Web, the address of the "Guyana News and
Information" Page is:
http:/www.wam.umd.edu/~swi
Our E-mail address is:
MAOIshmael@aol.com
Already, the response by Internet readers is very
encouraging.
A US$14M project, funded by the European Union, commenced on the East Bank of
Essequibo. This project was the first major sea defence work in 20 years. The next major stretch
of sea defence rehabilitation work will be at No 76-77 Villages on the Corentyne, Berbice. The
cost of the Berbice work will be US$2M which will come from the Inter-American Development
Bank.
The International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank
continued to laud the economic path being pursued by the PPP/Civic administration by
making available US$71M most of which will be drawn down over a three-year period.
Minister Jagdeo said these sums will be used mainly for Balance of Payment support - the
financing of imports and for the transaction of the government's international financial obligations.
About 300 house lots were recently distributed by GUYSUCO to workers attached to
the Enmore, LBI, Wales, Albion, Port Mourantand Blairmont estates. The workers, who
received house lots, were the most qualified applicants, according to the terms which were
established and agreed upon between the Corporation and the sugar unions.
Guyana has secured more than a third of CARICOM'S share (30,000 tonnes) under the
first year of a new pact, which guarantees markets in the European Union for sugar
exported by the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of states.
However, industry officials are concerned about falling sugar prices, pointing out that the
tabs for the export under this deal are lower.
For the period January to March 1995, the Food for the Poor (FFP) has donated over
G$5.1M in supplies to the Cheshire Home for spastic children at Mahaica.
Special equipment for outdoor games, a bubble ball bath, wheelchairs, eating and toilet
utensils and beds were also handed over. The state institution also received a quantity of
clothing, footwear, food items and toiletries.
...Pensioners of Guyana Stores, Guyana National Shipping Corporation, Guyana National
Printers, Demerara Sugar Terminal, Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation, Demerara
Distillers Limited, SAPIL, Stockfeeds and National Edible Oil Company have recently
begun receiving 10% increase on their pensions, retroactive to January 1.
...The government is taking steps to reopen the controversial wildlife trade in Guyana - with new
rules - following a two-year moratorium to streamline the industry.
...The National Unity Monument, a towering and skillfully crafted piece by renowned
Guyanese artist Desmond Alli, was launched on June 13, 1995 on the grounds of Castellani
House, Georgetown.
...A proposal initiated by the Working People's Alliance is being floated to resolve differences
over the Trade Union recognition Bill and broker a final consensus position for the National
Assembly.
...President Cheddi Jagan is pressing the case for a debt relief for developing countries, with
the submission of a detailed memorandum to the Group of Seven Summit, which started in Halifax,
Canada June 15, 1995.
...Minister of Education, Dr. Dale Bisnauth, who is also acting Health Minister received 9,000
pounds worth of medical equipment from two representatives of the World Union of Guyanese
in the United Kingdom.
... The Guyana Airways Corporation has been ordered to pay some US$540,000 in a total of
four fines for drugs found aboard its aircraft by United States Customs during 1992.
...Dr. Tyrone Ferguson, former Head of the Presidential Secretariat under the Hoyte
administration, has published a book entitled "Structural Adjustment and Good Governance -
The Case of Guyana". The book examines the changing political economy of Guyana from the
late 1970s to 1992.
...An entire new irrigation pumping unit for the Manarabisi Station has arrived in Guyana. This
unit will replace one of the two ailing 50-year-old pumping units at the station.
...The Kissoon Group of Companies hope to fully install its canning and juice plant at Land of
Canaan, East Bank Demerara, by September this year. The company has begun to sign contracts
with fruit producers for a regular supply of their produce when its operations come on stream.
...The Wales Community High, the Montrose Primary and the No. 29 Primary Schools will be
rehabilitated shortly. These institutions will receive significant rehabilitation work through
the IDB.
...Recently the Sea Wall Round-House, a historic site, which had fallen into disrepair was
recently restored. A Beach Patrol was launched to keep the area in better condition.
...The Guyana Chronicle during last year netted a pre-tax profit of $63.7M, with a revenue
of $273.5M for the same period. Contributions by Chronicle to the government's treasury
amounted to $48.8M in the form of taxes and dividends.
...The Suddie Hospital was recently commissioned by Health Minister, Gail Teixeira.
The hospital was rehabilitated at a cost of $74M, with works commencing eight months ago. The
rehabilitation was done with joint funding from European Commission and Government of
Guyana.
...President Cheddi Jagan announced Friday that his government is planning to develop more
industries in order to boost levels of production in the country, consequently reducing imports.
...Guyana has lost some G$105M due to poor project design in the initial stages of the Primary
Education Improvement Programme(PEIP ) says Acting Senior Finance Minister, Mr. Bharrat
Jagdeo.
...The Belizean government has made a preliminary order of 25,000 hundred-pounds
bags of Guyana's polished rice.
...The Government and the US engineering firm, Hazra, signed two contracts worth US$15M
to improve Georgetown's water and sewage.
...The International Development Association (IDA) has approved US$15.5M credit package
for Guyana to back a range of financial and other reforms.
...AMERIJET International Incorporated made its inaugural flight to Guyana with cargo from
New York on June 28, 1995.
...The Guyana Sugar Corporation is projecting a $5B before level profit in 1995 as against the
$4.1B in 1994.