Dear Editor,
There is huge excitement in New York about the Rio summit in our beloved Guyana. The event is “historic” for our people because it is the first of its kind for leaders of the Americas meeting in Georgetown. This summit has broken a new dawn for Guyana and all eyes are focused on its achievements – what it will bring to our country.
No one can deny that Guyana has come a long way since the restoration of democracy in 1992. Guyana is gaining recognition as a reliable host for major international summits and the President of the country has been gaining recognition for himself having recently chaired an international summit of the IMF and World Bank in Singapore. Mr. Jagdeo played host to Caricom summits on a few occasions and now the Rio Group. Holding this summit in Guyana not only has symbolic value but it will help to boost the confidence of the people in its government to deliver on promises.
Guyanese-Americans are proud that President Bharrat Jagdeo was selected to host such a prestigious gathering of leaders of the Americas. They feel he has matured a lot since his first days as President in August 1999 and are excited that he has been given the chance to play host to major leaders of the Americas. They shower praises on him for jumping at the opportunity to host the summit and wish him well. They note that although they believe he has shortcomings in some areas, overall he has done a fantastic job since becoming President in August 1999.
They feel the meeting will enhance his profile. And they feel confident Jagdeo will do an excellent job hosting the Rio summit.
Guyanese-Americans view the hosting of the Rio summit as a once in a lifetime opportunity for the nation to showcase Guyana and display our warm hospitality to the world. They see it as a summit down memory lane, feeling it will help us in our relations with our neighbours who have claims over our territory as well as our development objectives. They hope that our neighbours would pursue a peaceful solution to the border claims. Guyanese-Americans also hope some of the Rio countries would become our allies in the fight against poverty as well as assist in the fight against crime.
I hope Guyana not only equalled international standards in hosting a summit, but set higher standards for future gatherings.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
