Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Karen Cummings on Wednesday dismissed statements made by the international community on Guyana’s constitutional and political situation, saying that all the “agitation” is uncalled for.
“I don’t think we need sanctions at this point in time,” she said Wednesday at a press conference at her Takuba Lodge, Georgetown office.
The Organisation of American States (OAS), the Commonwealth, the EU, the British and American Governments have deemed Guyana to be an unconstitutional state after President David Granger missed the September 18th mark in calling general elections.
The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) had ruled the constitutional three-month requirement of elections kicked in on June 18 after it ruled that the December 21 No Confidence motion was validly passed.
“We strive to ensure that we don’t interfere in other persons’ territory…even the CARICOM’s position is non-interference, no-intervention,” Dr Cummings said.
However, she said the diplomatic community was free to make recommendations.
“All this agitation – I think it is uncalled for,” she declared.
At the recent United Nations General Assembly, Cummings said she was able to clear up “misunderstandings” in her discussions with the United Nations Secretary-General and the Commonwealth Secretary-General.
In her meeting with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Dr Cummings said the Guyana delegation was “happy” to say that while there may have been some “hiccups” Guyana is at peace, with no wars and no lives lost, with peaceful citizens going about their business, such as going to the market.
On the Commonwealth position, Dr Cummings said she sought to suggest that the Commonwealth was influenced by statements made by the Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.
“What you’ve heard of first, that is what you may want to react to.
“But when they would have looked and see Guyana – we’re going ahead with our development agenda and it’s business as usual, so to speak.”
Regarding the Commonwealth’s particular position that Guyana had descended into unconstitutionality, Dr Cummings stated: “I haven’t received any statement, because what is not documented is not done. Anyone can say everything but I haven’t received any written document to that effect, o I can’t act on that.”
She said that government will remain in power and continue with its “transformative” agenda until a new President is sworn in.
