Evidently, Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton wasn’t on the original schedule of visiting US Secy of State Blinken. But he was shoehorned in at the last minute for a brief encounter at the US Embassy, before the Secty jetted out of the country after his one-day visit. Having already met Pres Ali in TT at the Caricom 50th anniversary commemoration, Blinken’s visit highlighted Guyana’s growing importance to American strategic interests in this neck of the woods.
It would appear, then, that our domestic politics wasn’t on the US’ radar…meaning they’re satisfied that the government in place satisfies their interests!! It’s all about interests, baby!! That the PPP held off the PNC’s outrageous attempt to rig the 2020 elections in front of the entire world, and it took the bravery of US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch to signal that this was unacceptable, allowed Blinken to emphasize the legitimacy of shared DEMOCRATIC values as the basis of our relationship!!
So, what would Norton put in the dossier that he handed over?? He shamelessly played the democratic card, and emphasized there must be a “clean” voters list and the use of biometrics in place for the 2025 elections. By using the word “clean”, Norton’s implying that the present list is in some way “dirty”!! But maybe Norton doesn’t realise that Blinken has a staff that would brief him. Using the other word “bloated”, Norton’s PNC has already gone to the Courts – which told them that it would be unconstitutional to strike off the names of overseas persons on the list that creates the “bloat”!!
The solution is to alter the Constitution to remove the right of overseas Guyanese citizens to vote – and the PNC had five years to do this between 2020 and 2025, but didn’t!! All Blinken and the State Department will do is inform Norton to place his proposal in the form of a motion in the National Assembly!! But Norton and the PNC want to have their cake – the money of those overseas Guyanese, who’d be pi55ed if their voting right was taken away – and eat it too: complaining about a “dirty” list to excuse their inability to garner a majority of votes in democratic elections!!
Ever since Aug 2, 2020 – when Granger reluctantly left State House – his successor Norton and Opposition supporters have been cussing out the Americans for conducting “regime change” – just for supporting the PNC’s call for a recount of the votes!! What incentive is there for Blinken to offer them any support?? Lastly, Norton told Blinken the PPP isn’t “inclusive”, and is establishing a “one-party state”.
Since they’re winning elections democratically by courting votes from all communities – and especially targeting African Guyanese – doesn’t this satisfy the demand for “inclusivity”??
…the Congressional Delegation??
One aspect of Secretary Blinken’s visit that hasn’t gotten enough attention was the Congressional delegation that was there with him at the Caricom 50th Anniversary meet in T&T. Now, in the American scheme of governance, Congressional delegations are a regular feature, and are justified as necessary to educate the members of Congress on pertinent issues. More frequently, they’re seen as junkets!! Anyhow, this one was led by House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries – who should be no stranger to political observers here.
He’s earned a reputation as being very close to one of the PNC’s more rabid supporters from Brooklyn – who dubbed the PPP as “racist”. Jeffries dissed President Ali last year by refusing to meet him in NYC – after demanding that “regime change” Ambassador Sarah Ann Lynch be recalled!! Your Eyewitness wondered what he told Sarah when he sat near her in TT!!
With Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, who’s also close to the PNC flack, will they be reporting back to Congress that the Biden Administration’s courting an “installed regime”??
…the wheels??
For sure, if the Congressional Delegation had come over to Guyana, they would’ve given Opp Leader Norton a bigger play. But would they have gone so far as to recommend a new “regime change”??
