Gov’t shuns visit of U.S group tied to Rickford Burke

The Government of Guyana has taken a decision to shun a U.S. group visiting Guyana next week, with President Irfaan Ali saying the group is tied to activist Rickford Burke and his government “does not recognise and will not be part of any Rickford Burke sham outfit which seeks to purported investigate issues raised at a Burke organized event in Washington in which the Government of Guyana and many citizens were blatantly refused access to or participation in.”

The group, calling itself the Organization of World Leaders, announced that they are visiting Guyana following the Washington forum which was headlined by Guyana’s opposition.

In an invited comment, President Ali told the News Room that his government stands, “as it always has, ready to participate in meaningful discussions with recognised State actors and unbiased participants” and he does not recognise the group coming.

“As President, I have led a government that follows successive PPP government in which inclusion, development and inclusivity forms the core of our value system.

“One only needs to reflect on the composition of the executive, the judiciary, the legislature, the public service, the joint services, and all other State agencies or semi-autonomous agencies and that will speak for itself,” Dr Ali told the News Room.

He added that he has sought to expose “the small group of racist agitators” in Guyana who tried to steal the 2020 elections and this was confirmed by every international agency and the independent Commission of Inquiry, which labelled it as “a shockingly brazen attempt” to derail the elections and “a sad and shameful chapter in the electoral history of Guyana.”

“The government I run is working towards the development of all its citizens and its regions and that is our priority. Our record speaks for itself.

“I have had meaningful discussion in Washington at the State Department and recently with New York state legislators and they are all aware of the policies we are pursuing as a government and as country,”” Dr Ali stated.

He added: “I find it disgusting that a group can assign to themselves the responsibility of investigating racist sentiments peddled by Rickford Burke, especially at the expense of examining factually independent reports that expose some of these very characters who participated in a process of trying to steal and election.

“I would to hear their views on this – I would like to hear their views on the racism perpetuated on a daily basis by their handler Rickford Burke.”

Further, the President said his government or no one in my government will be participating “in such a sham that is from the onset based on lies, bias and an open agenda at framing my government in a particular way.”

“I do not recognise this delegation and advise that the government will play no part in it,” Dr Ali declared.

“We will continue to work strongly with the United States, our friend and partner, in the established recognised channels through which government works.”