A senior United States diplomat will be visiting Guyana later this month in a bid to strengthen bilateral relationships, outgoing US Ambas-sador to Guyana, David Robinson told reporters here yesterday.
Robinson disclosed that US Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Thomas Shannon will arrive in Guyana on March 26 for a five-hour visit. Robinson said the diplomat will be accompanied by among others, Commander of the US Southern Command, Admiral Stavridis. “It has been a partnership of deeds, it really has been more than words and we are very interested in making sure that that partnership continues to grow and to put a very senior-level blessing on that,” Ambassador commented. He said it would be a very perfect opportunity for Secretary Shannon to come and strengthen that relationship at a very, very high level between the two governments. Relations between the Bharrat Jagdeo administration and Washington have been edgy over the past years with Georgetown frequently attacking the Bush administration for not doing enough to help this country fight the drug trade. In its recently released narcotics report, Washington criticized Guyana’s drug fight and warned that the country would not get money to combat drug trafficking unless there was more success and the direct involvement of US law enforcement agencies here. Instead, it will continue to channel any future assistance to initiatives that demonstrate success in treating substance abusers. It added that the U.S. will also continue to use its diplomatic tools to encourage the Guyana Government to organize an effective counter narcotics programme, especially within the context of the British-funded overhaul of the security sector.
Meanwhile, announcing his departure at a luncheon with the media yesterday, Robinson said the US government is prepared to look at offering additional help to Guyana in the fight against narco-trafficking, but there is need for further engagement.
Robinson, who took up his post here in 2006, said that cutting aid to Guyana was not on the table, according to the Government Information Agency (GINA). Robinson departs this weekend to take up a post in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs.
GINA quoted the ambassador as saying that in the fight against drug trafficking, the US was prepared to review and consider the ways in which it could be helpful, whether financially or otherwise. “That is an area we need to sit down and have structured discussions [on] with our two governments,” he said.
Robinson noted that over the years the governments of Guyana and the US have developed a strong and productive relationship and have recognised the challenges both countries face in relation to drug trafficking.
“I think we recognise the challenges through our relationship but I think both sides have been working hard to understand each other’s position,” he said.
Robinson said there were challenges that confront Guyana and the US in the fight against drug trafficking and the US was looking at strengthening the partnership in this area. Robinson will be taking up the post of Special Coordinator for Venezuela in Shannon’s office.
