Following the signing of an agreement today between Foreign Minister Hugh Todd and visiting US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, joint maritime and air patrols between Guyana and the US to interdict drugs could begin as early as next Monday.
The joint patrols are being facilitated under the so-called 2001 Shiprider agreement promoted by the George W. Bush administration where personnel from Caribbean countries were to be placed on US vessels.
It is unclear why the agreement is being implemented 19 years after the original MoU and just a few months before the US general elections.
A release from the Office of the President follows:
Georgetown, Guyana – (September 18, 2020) His Excellency, President Irfaan Ali has acknowledged that the visit by the US Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo and the agreements signed during his visit, are testaments to Guyana’s stance on democratic principles, the rule of law, respect for human rights and the pursuit of sustainable and equitable development.
The Head of State made this assertion, during the signing of the bilateral Shiprider Agreement between the United States and Guyana, at State House. The Agreement was signed by Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd and US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo.
“Secretary Pompeo’s visit serves to remind us that the US will continue to be a steadfast partner, as we work with all stakeholders to consolidate our democracy, strengthen our institutions and pursue a path of unprecedented economic growth and development. Secretary Pompeo’s visit, moreover, solidifies the bilateral relationship between Guyana and the US and sets the stage for expanding and deepening US cooperation with Guyana,” President Ali said.
The Shiprider Agreement will come into effect as early as next Monday and will enable joint maritime and airspace patrols to interdict narcotics.
The Head of State pointed to the importance and benefits of the newly inked Agreement. He said, “I am also pleased to announce that Guyana and the US will deepen cooperation in the area of security, with specific attention to maritime security and joint patrols, to interdict narcotics trafficking. This will also allow us to improve our technical and human capabilities in monitoring Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone. This augurs well for stronger collaboration and broader technical assistance to help combat both domestic and transnational organized criminal networks. We also look forward to continued and enhanced assistance in the fields of border control, anti-terrorism, cybersecurity, technology transfer and anti-corruption measures.”
In addition, President Ali acknowledged the far-reaching implications of the Framework Agreement between the US Government and the Government of Guyana, to Strengthen Energy, Infrastructure, Finance, and Market Building Cooperation, in the context of the growth in the Americas Initiative.
The Agreement, he pointed out, will stimulate the enhancement of the business environment for US private sector investment in Guyana, particularly in the fields of energy – both non-renewables and renewables – and infrastructure.
“The Agreement will also pave the way for the US private sector to expand their investment portfolio and partner with the Guyanese private sector. These partnerships will help to meet our broader infrastructure and downstream development needs and by extension, drive economic growth and development as well as job creation. Notably, more opportunities will be available for firms to explore investment opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sector, ICT and food production, among others,” the President outlined.
The Head of State also used the opportunity to address two main challenges facing Guyana; combatting the COVID-19 pandemic and lifting the economy out of the economic downturn. He also assured that the Government of Guyana remains committed to leveraging the skills and investment potential of our diaspora, given the fact that the largest bloc of its diaspora resides in the United States.
President Irfaan Ali and the US Secretary of State also held talks on the internal political and economic situation in neighbouring Venezuela.
“I reiterated that Guyana remains committed to the principles that guide our involvement in the Lima Group, primarily our concern about the ongoing and protracted humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. We support and respect the need for free and fair elections in our hemisphere. With urgency, we believe that democratic values and principle should be respected in Venezuela as well,” the Head of State said.
President Ali also used the opportunity to express gratitude for Secretary Pompeo’s vocal support during the recent political and electoral crisis in Guyana.
In his remarks, Secretary Pompeo assured of his Government’s commitment towards strengthening ties for the benefit of both the citizens of Guyana and the United States.
He said, “today, we also had a good set of conversations on strengthening our relationship to the benefit of all Guyanese and all Americans. We are ready. The United States is ready to be your partner. The partner of choice, as you face big decisions moving forward, especially on energy and future prosperity in your country.”
The US Official also announced that US$5 million would be given to Guyanese authorities to help Venezuelans here who have had to flee from their home country.
“You have been a strong partner for us on this issue; you have supported statements through the Organisation of American States and through the LIMA group. The US has now allocated $5M to help Venezuelans in Guyana who have had to flee from Venezuela. I trust that that cooperation will be continued and I want to express my personal appreciation for Guyana’s hosting of the Venezuelans, and that have crossed inside of your country. I am confident, Mr. President, that we will keep working together, that we will do great things alongside each other. I am grateful to see that you share this view of the importance of your relationship and thank you again for hosting me here today,” Secretary Pompeo said.
The U.S Secretary of State noted too, that all Guyanese should feel proud of the Government’s efforts with regards to the country’s growth and development.
He explained, “I must say as I watch and I listen, and I have been reading and preparing for this trip, Guyanese are leading their nation’s journey to self-reliance. You should be proud of what your government is achieving for you. We just signed a new agreement – a new agreement under the growth in the Americas initiative. Guyana is the second Caribbean nation to join that Agreement. It demonstrates that the United States wants to model the private sector, not state-owned enterprises, because that model, that investment model is superior; it will deliver real, good things for the people of your country. It’ll bring both those jobs – frankly, jobs to America as well – and it’ll increase cooperation on environmental issues just like potential spill responses.”
The US Secretary of State and his delegation arrived in Guyana Thursday afternoon and will leave Guyana on Friday, destined to Brazil.
