Visiting United States Marine Corps General John Kelly on Tuesday evening underscored the importance of preventing infectious diseases here as he feels it is one of the region’s biggest threats.
“The current threat, the biggest threat, the thing that keeps me awake at night is really worrying about infectious diseases,” Kelly told a reception held in his honour at the residence of the US Ambassador.
His remarks came in the wake of global concerns over the deadly Ebola virus and stepped up activities in the Caribbean to be ready for any cases.
Kelly, who is on a two-day visit here, heads the United States’ Southern Command (USSouthCOM), a combatant command unit, which is responsible for providing, for the contingency planning and operations in Central and South America and some parts of the Caribbean.
He pointed out some of the myriad challenges that Latin America and the Caribbean faces saying that he was pleased at the efforts of Guyana’s military in combatting them. “We are all in this fight together” Kelly said as he listed common threats such as drug trafficking, human rights violations and trafficking in persons among others.
The Four Star General, told of the many compliments and expressions of appreciation he received from persons here who thanked him for the provision of various services provided by his country to Guyana. “The United States Southern Command and the United States of America is thrilled to work with you,” he said in response.
Expressions of thanks also came from Guyana’s Chief of Staff Brigadier Mark Phillips who recognized and lauded the support, in terms of Security Cooperation, that the USSouthCOM brings.
Stabroek News understands that Kelly was taken on a tour of Camp Stephenson on Tuesday and army personnel were taken aback at his simplicity as he chose to converse with soldiers in the sandpit firing range instead of being seated in the viewing gallery with top army personnel.
Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy, Bryan Hunt pointed out that while there are many capacity building programmes, such as the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), being undertaken by his government in collaboration with Guyana, these should be complemented by prosecutions and convictions. “Capacity building of Guyanese security forces is a critical but not sufficient element in achieving the goals outlined under CBSI,” he said.
“Security Force actions must be complemented by a robust programme of investigative and prosecutorial activities which result in the successful conviction and imprisonment of criminal elements. Moreover increased collaborative efforts must be undertaken to seize the financial assets of criminal organisations and dismantle their sophisticated money laundering networks,” Hunt stressed.
He said that he remains confident that Kelly’s visit will lay the groundwork for an even greater security and humanitarian partnership between the armed forces of Guyana and the US.
