Charles: Is Imbert unaware of CARICOM statement on Guyana?
Imbert’s complete lack of knowledge of CARICOM’s statement issued yesterday on Guyana says either that we were not consulted because of our relative unimportance; or we had an input of which the acting PM was not aware of when he spoke in parliament; or more disturbingly that he deliberately misled parliament.
All scenarios are worrisome.
When asked yesterday whether he concurred with the CARICOM statement on Guyana, Imbert obfuscated by saying that he was not aware, and would not accept Naparima MP’s word, that CARICOM had issued one.
CARICOM yesterday issued a statement expressing “concerns about the allegations being made about the Guyana elections” and called on the Guyana Elections Commission “to ensure that all legal and procedural processes are fully complied with”.
Was our foreign minister aware of this statement or was he as ignorant as the Acting Prime Minister?
By his non response, Imbert showed his, and by extension Rowley PNM’s, usual contempt for parliament especially the question time when government is called upon to defend its policies.
If TT was not consulted; it underscores the fact that we are no longer important in CARICOM.
If we were consulted it means the acting PM was not updated on this most important foreign policy issue.
And if we were consulted and Imbert was aware but misadvised parliament about his knowledge then our democracy, under Imbert, Moses and Rowley, is in serious trouble.
The UNC is demanding that this Rowley led administration stands up and be counted on the principles of democracy and the conduct of free and fair elections in our region.
In the past Eric Williams, Manley and the likes of Errol Barrow and Grantley Adams were forthright in articulating our democratic traditions and our interests. Our leaders stood tall on the Cuban embargo issue. No obfuscation. No old talk. No ostrich like behavior.
This Rowley led PNM has abdicated its leadership role within CARICOM and is either missing in action on important regional issues or hiding behind the principle of non interference even as our very acts and omissions provide diplomatic aid and comfort to the Maduro regime.
The UNC has, over the past four years, called in vain for the establishment of a High Commission in Guyana.
As a respected country and with the region’s largest economy, TT should have and could have led a CARICOM consensus as an honest broker bringing contending forces in Guyana to the table of reason on the basis of adherence to democratic principles and the long term interest of that country.
Instead TT now retreats to the sidelines of regional diplomacy and leaves it to the OAS, the US, to Canada, to the UK, to the EU and CARICOM to pronounce. And when CARICOM pronounces, we feign ignorance. What a shame!!!