INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT
Robert Persaud Column
Kaieteur News
July 4, 2004
The international community has been supportive of Guyana’s aggressive pursuit of development. The major donors - United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom (as well as other members of the European Union), India and China - have provided much needed resources and pledges to accelerate progress.
STAYED THE COURSE
The Government and people of Guyana have always been appreciative of this continued support. Guyana is an emerging democracy recovering from the shackles of a protracted period of dictatorial rule and economic collapse. When other members of the English speaking Caribbean were moving forward after their Independence, sadly, we were journeying in the opposite direction. However the return of democracy in 1992 saw the beginning of a period of catching up, rebuilding, restoring and recapturing lost chances and opportunities for progress.
The return of democracy in 1992 would not have been possible without the support of the international community. With the PPP leading the pro-democracy movement, the support and clear positions taken on the side of democracy by the international community to ensure that dictatorship and misrule end, are well documented. The invaluable contributions of the US government, the Carter Center and various countries and international institutions cannot be overstated.
Not only did the international community play a significant part in the restoration of democracy, it did not walk away and leave the democratically-elected government on its own. The reality that a new democracy (like an infant) will not survive without support, nurture and help was not ignored. Returning the country to democratic governance was just a major step in rebuilding the country and ensuring its place in the global village.
ATTEMPTS TO BLOCK SUPPORT
When the late President Cheddi Jagan and now current President Bharrat Jagdeo were seeking debt write-offs, grants and concessional financing, some in the political opposition ridiculed them. These elements said that the leaders’ approaches will be rebuffed and would bear no fruits. They were dumbfounded by the positive response of the international community.
Realising that the international community were pleased with the policies and programmes of the administration, these same elements then resorted to an unpatriotic campaign. Letters were written to, and meetings were held with, the various donor agencies and governments to block resources aimed at reducing poverty, creating jobs especially in Linden and other critical projects to improve the lot of all our people.
These elements launched a propaganda campaign accusing the government of rampant corruption, discrimination and poor economic management. The international community was not convinced. They knew the reality was different and perhaps they were bewildered at these elements for their anti-Guyana efforts.
If the claims of the opposition campaign were true, then support would not have been forthcoming. The well known fact is that the international community does not concur with or support poor and corrupt governance.
RECENT EXAMPLES OF SUPPORT
About 12 years after the restoration of democracy, the country continues to enjoy the goodwill and support of the international community. In spite of the unique challenges and various problems, the efforts to make things better are recognized. There have been recent examples of this continued backing by the international community. The highlight is no doubt, our country reaching the completion point of the enhanced Highly Indebted Poor Countries’ Initiative (HIPC). Consistent with this accomplishment, Trinidad and Tobago, Denmark, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States have granted Guyana debt relief to the tune of billions of dollars. Also, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) approved another grant under the PL 480 Title 1 food for progress` agreement. The Inter-American Development Bank has just approved US$37M for the complete rehabilitation of the Moleson Creek to New Amsterdam Highway. There are many other examples, such as the Chinese Government funding for the construction of the international convention centre, the Indian Government’s commitment to build a cricket stadium, US Government support for the continuing HIV/AIDS fight and the Canadian and British support for other important projects. These are just a few of the examples in the past six months.
The perspectives of these agencies are quite instructive.
POSITIVE ASSESSMENTS
The International Monetary Fund (IMF), when it announced Guyana’s HIPC completion point, stated: “Guyana has established a satisfactory track record of social reforms and macroeconomic and structural policy implementation to qualify for debt relief under the HIPC, and the requirements for reaching the completion point under the enhanced HIPIC initiative have been met.”
The Director of USAID, Dr. Mike Sarhan, when asked about the agency’s assessment of Guyana’s performance and claims of poor management responded: “Overall, we are satisfied. We work closely with the Ministry of Finance and the Government and the recipient organisation of donations. We have a good monitoring system and annual audit of all transaction of procurement under the programme. Overall we are satisfied that the money is used wisely and there is minimum and or no corruption involved…”
The United States Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission, Ms. Betty McCutchan, at the signing of the debt reduction agreement observed: “This event marks a culmination of the enhanced Highly Indebted Poor Country Initiative or HIPC, process. Under the HIPC programme, Guyana undertook exercises and enacted institutional reforms in order to show its commitment to encouraging economic growth and improving the standard of living…These and other ongoing efforts are outward signs of the Government of Guyana commitment to increasing economic productivity in key sector like sugar, improving accountability and transparency of the public sector and improving the delivery of public services such as health, education and safe water.”
Similar sentiments have been expressed by other major donors and international institutions; a clear indication of Guyana being on the right path.