Dear Editor,
In the early period of our protracted election crisis US Ambassador, the Honourable Sarah–Ann Lynch, put in the public record, her and the US government’s position on Guyana’s election crisis. To support her position she cited the US Constitution, Bill of Rights and Universal Declaration of Human Rights as documents that represented the philosophical bases for her conviction on democracy. Stabroek News carried the Ambassador’s pronouncements in an article published in its (03-04-2020) edition captioned, “US Ambassador: statement on Guyana elections are defence of ‘bedrock’ principles”.
In response to the Ambassador, I wrote a letter that acknowledges US rights to engage our electoral process. I was critical of some aspects of Ambassador Lynch’s statement. But more importantly, I raised questions on the timing and motive that was driving the US government policy on our elections. In the penultimate paragraph of my letter, I cited the political situation in Venezuela and President Donald Trump’s re-election bid in November as issues influencing the US government policy. I also called on Ambassador Lynch to give a public assurance to Guyanese that our country would not be drawn into the US/Venezuela conflict.
This is what I wrote: “ In closing, I wish to ask US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch for a public assurance to the Guyanese nation that her country’s present attitude and involvement in our election crisis is not driven by its Venezuela policy and linked to the re-election of President Donald Trump in the November Elections. As a Guyanese, I have a great suspicion that her government’s diplomacy (if it can be called so) in relation to Guyana is driven by the need to have access to our land, sea and air space for military operations against Venezuela. Ambassador, I hope you will appreciate the anxiety of the Guyanese nation in this dangerous geopolitical adventure as US warships are heading to Venezuela. ”
Readers should note to date the Ambassador has not given any assurance to the nation in relation to my request. In my view, her silence on this important matter is proof that I struck the hammer on the correct nail, so to speak. In doing so I exposed the US and its allies’ conspiracy with the PPP/C against the Granger-led APNU+AFC coalition government. The March 02, 2020, General and Regional elections were effectively, a means to an end, that is, regime change to facilitate US hemispheric objectives.
While the Honourable Sarah . A. Lynch was seeking cover in silence on this sensitive matter, objective reality has since kicked in. Reluctantly the APNU+AFC coalition administration revealed to the country and the world that the US government had requested permission to use Guyana’s short wave radio frequency for the Voice of America to broadcast to Venezuela. That request was correctly denied in the interest of national security by the coalition government. In response, Ambassador Lynch admitted that the request was made but added, that presently, her government is no longer interested in the project. This revelation by the former Guyana government and the Ambassador’s admission was the first public confirmation that my suspicions on the US attitude to our elections was influenced by its Venezuela policy was correct, and that my assessment was rooted in political reality.
Within days of the PPPC’s administration, the truth of the US position begun unfolding, and I am predicting it will continue to do so in the run-up to the November elections. It is now payback time and from all indications, the Irfaan Ali regime will be a faithful client. The Trump administration in its efforts to deny Latin American countries from occupying the important post of President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) put forward its candidate and requested Guyana’s support. President Ali meekly concurred, with the outrageous statement abandoning Latin America solidarity stating that his government is not concerned with “convention” and has agreed to the US request. What we are witnessing unfolding before our eyes is a neo-colonial relationship.
It was not long thereafter that we got the news that the Guyana government has fully embraced the US-sponsored initiative for a Venezuelan solution to that country’s political crisis. Guyana is now an active supporter of the group of concerned countries pushing for a US-sponsored solution in Venezuela. This was met with pleasure by the Acting Assistant Secretary for the US Department of State’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Mr Michael Kozak, who publicly acknowledged Guyana cooperation.
I end with the observation that the APNU+AFC coalition government’s policy on Venezuela was one of neutrality and respect for that country’s sovereignty.
Yours faithfully,
Tacuma Ogunseye
