Dear Editor,

After his most recent visit to the Middle East, Guyana’s President Bharrat Jagdeo has renewed efforts to establish closer ties with and establish a diplomatic presence in the region.  The effort and money spent to develop these ties will not bear economic benefits for Guyana if the momentum is lost.  Thus, I hope that President Jagdeo will send a delegation to Damascus, Syria for the upcoming Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) foreign ministers’ meeting of the 57 nation organization to be held May 23-25, 2009.

Guyana, a former British colony and South America’s only English-speaking country, has a vibrant Muslim community of about 10 per cent.  It is also a member of the OIC and has forged strong ties with the Middle East since its independence from Britain in 1966.  Suriname has also been a member of the OIC and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) since 1996.

The problem in Guyana is the lack of human resources at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  The ministry lacks well staffed and trained personnel.  Qualified diplomats, versed in Guyana-Middle East affairs, have been marginalized. Another drawback is a lack of rigorous diplomacy and a presence in the Middle East to tap potential investments and capital.  Caribbeanmuslims.com’s Alim Ali says, “The full potential of the mission may not have been achieved but persistence in the future would be wise.”

If there is no follow up to build on the momentum, however much provided by this mission, it will be a waste of Guyana’s limited resources. Guyana is not actively participating at the OIC, ISESCO or the IsDB, and this is not helpful in attempting to raise its stature in the Middle East.

However, Guyana’s President Bharrat recently indicated that this will change. Guyana is looking to bolster ties with the Middle East and to establish a diplomatic presence in the region, and we hope that a Guyanese delegation will attend the OIC Foreign Minister Summit in Syria on May 23.

Yours faithfully,
Ray Chickrie