In the wake of a furore over the presence of a Brazilian governor at a PPP/C meeting in Lethem on Sunday and official complaints by opposition parties APNU and AFC, the Brazilian embassy yesterday issued a statement reiterating its position of non-intervention and neutrality as it relates to the upcoming elections.
The presence of José de Anchieta Junior, Governor of the neighbouring state of Roraima at the Lethem rally has riled opposition parties and members of the public who saw it as interference in the domestic affairs of the country and a ploy by the ruling party to gather support in the Rupununi.
“The Embassy of Brazil… reiterates the well known and traditional position of the Brazilian Government in favour of the principles of non-intervention and self-determination. Therefore, the Brazilian Government understands that Guyana -as well as any country- is entitled to choose their representatives in an independent, free and transparent way. Following this principle, the presence of a Brazilian authority to salute the communities at the above-mentioned meeting should not be construed as a support for any of the political parties contesting the forthcoming elections,” the statement issued in Georgetown said.
“The Brazilian Govern-ment expresses, therefore, its total neutrality and impartiality in the development of the electoral process in Guyana and expresses its best wishes and confidence in a successful outcome, as by all expected,” the Embassy added.
Delegations from opposition coalition the APNU and the AFC yesterday met with Brazilian Ambassador to Guyana Luiz Gilberto Seixas de Andrade to discuss the issue and the AFC held a picketing exercise outside of the Brazilian embassy. Presidential candidate of the AFC Khemraj Ramjattan, from the picket line accused the Governor of having financial and business interests in Guyana while adding that his act was a breach of international norms more so at a time when this country was preparing for elections. He added that he would on Wednesday file a formal complaint with the Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Albert Ramdin and hoped at least for an apology from the Governor.“On Wednesday we will lodge a complaint and hope as best as possible, if he could urge that they apologize for what they have done in violating this norm for wanting to campaign for the PPP,” Ramjattan said. He told Stabroek News that the delegation made it clear that they want the cordial relationships between the two countries to remain intact.
APNU led by their presidential candidate David Granger, after meeting the Brazilian Ambassador, told the media that he was looking forward to the Government of Brazil issuing a statement declaring that they did not endorse the behaviour of the Governor.
APNU’s delegation included its prime ministerial candidate Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, its campaign director Joe Harmon and APNU members Lance Carberry and Hamilton Green.
The Brazilian embassy, in explaining the presence of de Anchieta Junior at Sunday’s event, said that when the Governor learned of Jagdeo’s visit to Lethem he took the opportunity to visit him in order to discuss subjects related to the border as well as the integration between Roraima and Guyana.
“Governor Anchieta also had the chance to meet Donald Ramotar at a courtesy meeting. The Governor took the initiative to salute the community attending the meeting, residents of both Lethem and Bonfim,” the Embassy said. While the statement said that the governor was only saluting the community, the Governor did go on to praise President Jagdeo and laud his achievements.
Meanwhile, PPP/C campaign spokesperson Robert Persaud yesterday dismissed the actions of the two opposition parties saying that it was an attempt “to distract the public from the overwhelming support for the PPP. The Government Information Agency reporting on the meeting said “The event was graced by Governor of the State of Roraima, José de Anchieta Junior, with whom the President met to discuss several projects that will benefit the citizens of both Guyana and Brazil.
The Governor of Roraima, GINA reported, lauded the leadership of President Jagdeo and said that Guyana has made tremendous progress in bettering the lives of its people. He also expressed the hope that the friendly relations between the two neighbouring countries would continue under the new administration.
