In addition to the visit from Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States of America, William J. Burns yesterday, Guyana is preparing for visits from former President of the US, Bill Clinton and a former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, , Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud last evening announced at an Indian High Commission-organised business forum, held at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown.
The disclosures were made while responding to questions on promising sectors here for bilateral relations between India and Guyana. Persaud noted that the evidence shows that Guyana is buzzing with opportunity as can be seen by the number of high profile persons visiting since oil was discovered.
“In terms of bilateral cooperation… we are two countries that our views are being taken very seriously. And I will give you an example of Guyana alone. This week alone, from today, this morning we had the head from the Central Intelligence Agency, here on his way to Qatar to dealing with the Gaza war, stopped in Guyana. This shows how important we are to engage on a number of issues. Two, the former Prime Minister of the UK is coming here, and on Sunday the former President of US… is also coming. Then we have other VIP dignitaries coming here to engage the Government of Guyana, to engage the private sector,” Persaud informed.
“These visits are not only to engage government on policies and talking about collaboration and bilateral relations, but also the prominence and importance too of the private sector of the different sectors of the economy that is growing,” he added.
The Foreign Secretary asserted that the PPP/C always believed that India would hold prominence in the global areas and it is why it has always had and will continue to have great bilateral engagements. “I think the historical factors, but we see that is changing now in terms of India taking a very prominent role on the global stage, leadership of the G20, its leadership of many other issues at the multilateral forums. I see in that change and in that tide probably approaching the CDB (Caribbean Development Bank) and other such initiatives that will not only benefit here but other parts,” he said.
“The range of cooperation [between] Guyana and India is very vast…,” he added.
The Office of the President yesterday announced that President Irfaan Ali had received a courtesy visit from the Director of the CIA, at State House. Burns was accompanied by the US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot.
Burns’ trip here is the latest in a series of high-profile visits by US officials which analysts see as a warning to Venezuela to desist from its aggression against Guyana.
Prime Minister Mark Phillips; Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall; Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn; Chief of Defence Staff (GDF), Brigadier Omar Khan; Police Commissioner (ag), Clifton Hicken; and Head of the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU), James Singh, were all part of the meeting.
Burns is likely the first ever head of the CIA to visit Guyana.
