US Embassy asked for Carter Center observers to be on special flight Monday

The U.S. Embassy in Georgetown on Sunday clarified that it had sought approval, via official channels, for observers of the Carter Center to board a flight to Guyana on Monday.

“For several weeks, the Embassy has been requesting permission for special flights to carry American citizens from Guyana back to the United States.

“As part of the May 4 flight that has received approval, the Embassy requested through diplomatic note that the incoming flight carry international observers from the Carter Center,” the Embassy said in a statement.

“This request was made as part of the U.S. commitment to a free, fair and transparent recount process,” the statement added.

The Embassy did not immediately say if it had received a response.

Up to Saturday night, the Carter Center said it had not received approval from the government.

The United Nations representative in Guyana and the Canadian High Commissioner have since expressed hope that the Carter Center would be granted approval to come to Guyana.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the official Government agency that responds to such requests. The Minister of Foreign Affairs sits on the National COVID-19 Task Force, which is responsible for granting approval for special flights to enter or leave Guyana as ports are closed as part of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.