-says Washington’s policies to countries like Guyana weak
With his political aspirations and recent installation as Chief Executive Officer of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Peter Ramsaroop says he is willing to give up his US citizenship if called upon to serve at any high level of government.
Ramsaroop made the disclosure to Stabroek News yesterday citing respect for the sovereignty of Guyana. The businessman, who currently holds dual citizenship, said his allegiance lies with his native land if he is asked to serve in a higher office. However, he indicated that the decision is not an easy one.
Prior to returning home in 2003, Ramsaroop had served in the US military. He served in the first Gulf War against Iraq and was credited with being part of a small elite group by holding four military ranks in one year in peacetime. He told this newspaper he served in the National Service Cadet Corp and that his transition into the US military was “obvious” after he migrated at age eighteen.
Since returning home in 2003 Ramsaroop has been open about his political aspirations and he has also been an active member of civil society. He is Chairman of Vision Guyana and was appointed CEO of the AFC in May.
Ramsaroop said too that non-resident Guyanese should be attracted back to the country to serve without “fearing any pre-conditions” including giving up dual citizenship. He said his decision, if it is taken, should not be a government policy because the country needs the input of persons in the Diaspora who are willing to return.
Further, Ramsaroop said US foreign policy to countries like Guyana is seriously lacking. He noted that he has the highest respect for the US, but considers its foreign policy to Guyana weak. According to Ramsaroop, money flows in from taxpayers into Guyana without any pre-conditions of good governance. “…millions is spent on HIV prevention yet no money goes to building a hospice where AIDS patients can be comfortable in their last stages”, he added. He also cited the Joint Opposition dossier on human rights abuses saying that neither the US Embassy nor the State Department has made an official comment on it, “while foreign aid still comes in”.