Dear Editor,
Note is taken of the call made by Mr Yesu Persaud in Stabroek News (March15) to President Donald Ramotar, Messrs David Granger and Khemraj Ramjattan to pass the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill in parliament. The call urges the opposition to abandon their just demands to tie the passage of the bill to some areas of governmental weakness that threaten the realisation of the maximum benefit intended by the AML/CFT.
It is unfortunate that the opposition in parliament cannot place trust in the government when it comes to the implementation of laws and respect for decisions made in the highest decision-making forum of the land. Under successive PPP regimes the rule of the lawless has taken precedence over the rule of law, and where there should be honour and dignity there is now dishonour. This nation is reminded that the PPP continues to flout domestic laws and agreements, even international agreements, such as the St Lucia Statement, the Herdmanston Accord and the Hoyte-Jagdeo agreement. Successive PPP governments particularly between the years 1997 to the present day, have squandered any trust that was vested in them in 1992.
The AML/CFT’s importance is recognized, particularly since it has been established in a US court that Guyanese Shaheed ‘Roger’ Khan who is now enjoying the hospitality of the US penal system was able to purchase government to government computer spy equipment during an era that left many citizens, law enforcement officers, businessmen and criminals dead or missing.
The passage of the AML/CFT Bill is important since it is possible that ‘respected’ and ‘prominent’ businessmen and money launderers could also use their ill-gotten assets to access government contracts, partner with government for development and gain national respect and influence. We are reminded of the housing scheme established by Roger Khan, his acquisition of prime property and assets (still not confiscated) and his involvement in helping to fight crime.
The parliamentary actions of the opposition with regard to the conditionalities set for the passage of the AML/CFT Bill as a means of holding the government accountable in terms of good governance and forcing them to act with basic decency needs the support of all citizens.
Yours faithfully,
Leslie Gonsalves
President
Guyana Trades Union Congress
