Guyana Election Turmoil

by Sir James Mitchell Former Prime Minister St Vincent and the Grenadines Founder New Democratic Party.

I HAVE been keenly following events around the election in Guyana.

Out of my past involvement with election problems in [Guyana], I remain deeply concerned that the people of Guyana should always have a credible government respected by the international community.

I became involved long ago in February 1985 in the election when President Hoyte succeeded President Burnham and the election irregularities created difficulties for us in Caricom, not wanting to be seen as silent .

It was with colleague Prime Ministers in Mustique that we resolved the issue and created the framework for election observation in Guyana . As a matter of fact I had subsequently to follow up with Dr Jagan and assure him at a breakfast meeting in Jamaica that he could trust the presence of international observers for which we had secured approval by President Hoyte in Mustique. He was contemplating not to participate.

Again, in the subsequent election tension after the election of Mrs Jagan, I was the delegated go between the Caricom Heads of Government in St Lucia between President Janet Jagan and former President Desmond Hoyte . We were able to resolve the issues .

May I also urge all parties to ensure peace and be sensitive to the fact that Guyana’s looming prosperity will not be achieved should the United States and Europe in particular not be satisfied with the legitimacy of the government.

We in the Caribbean are anxious to see confidence firmly established in Guyana Let me repeat — Out of my deep concern for the security and well-being for the people of Guyana and my love of the country, with due respect, I urge President Grainger not to proceed with being sworn in until the electoral procedure is complete in a manner that satisfies Caricom and the international community. Timely action is the essence.