Foreign Affairs nightmare already

Guyana concerned about Venezuela donation to Buxton
Foreign Minister, HPS share different views on issue

Former Amerindian Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues was yesterday sworn-in as Minister of Foreign Affairs while Pauline Campbell-Sukhai was sworn-in as Minister of Amerindian Affairs at the Office of the President.

In the presence of Head of State, President Bharrat Jagdeo, a number of Government Ministers and close family members and friends, the women both took their oath of office. And on her first day as Foreign Affairs Minister, Rodrigues and Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, held different views on the recent donations by the Venezuelan Government to Buxton.

Speaking with the media shortly after taking up her new post, Rodrigues said that concerns about the Venezuelan involvement in Buxton was registered with the Venezuelan Ambassador here in Guyana.

This was done, she noted “so that we would ensure that in the future these sensitivities are taken into account.”

“We appreciate the assistance from our neighbouring countries but there is a protocol involved, especially when it concerns matters or when assistance is given based on a submission that will probably compromise the work of the Joint Services,” the new Foreign Affairs Minister said. She added that the Venezuelans did not consult Guyana before making the donations to the village.
However, earlier yesterday, Dr. Roger Luncheon said that there is no explicit convention that imposes an obligation for bilateral partners to notify the government to engage in activities, such as those that the Venezuelans undertook at Buxton.

“I do not know if in Guyana we need to formally take a position on these interventions that are made by our bilateral partners. Many of them indeed make offers to groupings, to sectors, many times independent of any engagement with the administration. This one is no different,” Dr. Luncheon said.

At the swearing in ceremony of the new ministers, President Jagdeo, asked to comment on his new appointments, said that he has been very impressed with both women’s work.
He added that there is a growing number of women in the Cabinet and they bring with them commitment and hard work.