Caribbean news. General Secretary of the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Clement Rohee is not too pleased with the warning issued by British High Commissioner to Guyana, Andrew Ayre that the country could be sanctioned for breaching the Commonwealth Charter.
Outgoing British-High-Commissioner-to-Guyana-Andrew-Ayre. Photo courtesy www.guyanatimesgy.com
When asked to respond to the High Commissioner at the PPP’s weekly press conference this morning (Monday, January 12), Rohee said the Diplomatic Corps is becoming too involved in Guyana’s internal affairs and warned them of their limits.
“It looks to me like some members of the Diplomatic Corps are becoming more and more involved in our internal affairs especially when it comes to the holding of elections,” the Party’s General Secretary said.
Earlier today, the outgoing British High Commissioner told a news conference that Guyana is currently in breach of the agreement under the current state of parliamentary prorogation.
Ayre reminded that parliamentary democracy was not only a requirement under the Guyana Constitution but also the Commonwealth Charter; urging the Guyanese Head of State to resume Parliament earliest lest likely sanctions be imposed on the developing nation.
In response, Rohee admitted that the donor community has a right to be concerned about elections in Guyana but stated that there should be a limit.
“…I think there’s a limit to which we should go when dealing with these matters. I see that as a normal course of their duties…It’s up to the government on the other hand to determine whether those statements warrant any responses…in so far as the PPP is concerned…it might be going a little bit beyond the pale in so far as diplomatic practice is concerned,” Rohee said.
He reminded that Guyana gained independence from Britain in 1966 and as such, the country is not obligated to pay heed to their statements.
Clement Rohee. Photo courtesy newssourcegy.com
“We don’t have to listen to what Britain says in respect to such pronouncements. This is an independent country. The British have their own arrangements there too, so you know, take it or leave it, twist it or turn it however you will want to put it, the fact of the matter is that Guyana is an independent country; we have our own constitution,” the General Secretary told Reporters.
President Ramotar prorogued Guyana’s Parliament on November 10, 2014; saying it was to facilitate dialogue between the Executive and the Parliamentary Opposition. On the same day he prorogued Parliament the opposition had signaled its intention to commence debate on a No – Confidence Motion it had filed against the administration.
The President has since announced that general and regional elections will be held this year but is yet to set a date.
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