The Donald Ramotar administration and the United States government are preparing for dialogue on the USAID-funded $300 million Leadership and Democracy (LEAD) project and discussions are expected to centre on whether implementation of the project will be put on hold as talks continue.
Diplomatic observers have pointed out that before agreeing to the halt on implementation, which is being sought by the Ramotar administration, the United States should set a timeframe for the project’s completion and also make provisions for a way forward should there be deadlock on any changes proposed to the project’s components.
“The government’s pre-condition for talks raises alarms. Who is to say that this is not just a ploy to