Accrediting the new U.S. ambassador today, President David Granger called for Washington’s support to help protect Guyana from threats to its territorial integrity, a clear reference to months of aggression mounted by Venezuela.
Keeping the Venezuelan aggression at the front and centre of recent diplomatic and international engagements, Granger said the following as he received the credentials of Perry F Holloway at the Ministry of the Presidency:
“Guyana looks forward to the support of the United States of America in its legitimate quest to protect itself against terrorism, transnational crime and threats to its territorial integrity.
“We are encouraged by the continued interest that the USA has shown in the security of small Caribbean states. The USA’s geopolitical role will be fundamental to addressing the many challenges faced by the Caribbean Region. We wish to urge the USA to use its influence in the hemisphere and on the international stage to reject the use, or threat of the use, of force between states, to promote development and to preserve the Caribbean as a zone of peace”.
A copy of his remarks released by the Ministry of the Presidency follows:
Address by His Excellency brigadier David Granger, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, at the accreditation of His Excellency Perry Holloway, Ambassador (designate) of the United States of America to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, on Friday 2nd October, 2015.
Excellency,
The Cooperative Republic of Guyana welcomes you. We are pleased to accept the Letters of Credence which accredit you as Ambassador to our country.
The Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the United States of America have enjoyedcordial relations for over fifty years. These relations have cemented our collaboration in the promotion of democracy, energy, health, security, trade and other areas of mutual interest.
Guyana welcomes the USA’s renewed commitment to strengthen existing partnerships and to forge new ones between our two Republics during your tour of duty. We acknowledge the changes which have occurred in security situation in our hemisphere, particularly over the past two decades. These include the prevalence of transnational crimes such as terrorism, trafficking in persons, trafficking in illegal narcotics, trafficking in illegal weapons and money-laundering to all of which small states are veryvulnerable.
Excellency,
Guyana is a member of the Caribbean Community, the largest group of the smalleststates in our hemisphere. Guyana, a small state, desires the Caribbean to be zone of peace. We desire security that is essential to promoting and consolidating democracy,creating a cohesive society and ensuring the good life for all. We desire respect for our sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Guyana’s geographical location on the mainland of the South American continent makesit vulnerable to penetration by transnational criminal networks and territorial claims – both of which can undermine peace and security.
Guyana is resolved to defend its territory, dismantle transnational criminal networks and develop its natural resources for the benefit of its people. The capabilities of criminal cartels, however, can exceed those of small states. We must seek succor and support through partnerships with other states which have an interest in preserving the Caribbean as a zone of peace.
We recall that President Barack Obama, during the Fifth Summit of the Americas in Port of Spain, Trinidad, in 2009 pledged to deepen security cooperation with the small Caribbean states. The Caribbean Basin Security Initiative is the enduring fulfillment of that commitment.
We recall, also, that President Bill Clinton, during a meeting with leaders of the small Caribbean states in Bridgetown, Barbados in May 1997, signed the Bridgetown Declaration of Principles. We recall, further, that President George Bush, similarly, engaged Caribbean leaders in New York, USA, in September 2003.
Guyana is encouraged by these high-level engagements between the small Caribbean states and the USA. They signal the importance that we both attach to ensuring the region’s security. We wish to reaffirm Guyana’s commitment to working with the USA to strengthen cooperation under the framework of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, to ensure peace, stability and security, to expanding our cooperation to promote a sustainable framework for peace, security and development for all.
Excellency,
Guyana looks forward to the support of the United States of America in its legitimate quest to protect itself against terrorism, transnational crime and threats to its territorial integrity.
We are encouraged by the continued interest that the USA has shown in the security of small Caribbean states. The USA’s geopolitical role will be fundamental to addressing the many challenges faced by the Caribbean Region. We wish to urge the USA to use its influence in the hemisphere and on the international stage to reject the use, or threat of the use, of force between states, to promote development and to preserve the Caribbean as a zone of peace.
The Cooperative Republic of Guyana warmly welcomes you and your dear wife, Rosaura. We hope that you will both have fond and long lasting memories of your stay here.
We wish you a successful tour as Ambassador to Guyana. Thank you.
