Andrew Lewis deserves special consideration
Editorial
AS WE report today, world champion boxer, Mr Andrew `Six Heads' Lewis may not be able to return home as originally planned for the victory celebrations because of uncertainty about his immigration papers with the United States authorities. His manager, Mr Nelson Fernandez, quite understandably, would not want any delay if he returns here, to jeopardise his fighter's contract with the HBO TV network and other obligations.
As he asked yesterday, "What's the use of being world champion when you can't fight?"
As Mr Fernandez related it, the concern is that if he returns home, processing his documents at the U.S. Embassy may take some time and he may not be able to return to the U.S. to keep his ring date on April 28.
The U.S. is a sovereign country and has its laws which must be adhered to.
We do not want to seem to be telling the U.S. authorities how to conduct their legal business but we think Mr Lewis deserves some special consideration.
And we are sure avenues exist for him to be guaranteed that if he returns here to celebrate his historic victory with his family and other countrymen who are all overwhelmed at the moment and want to show him what this means to everyone, he would be able to get back to New York in time to keep his training schedule and title defence.
Guyana wants to honour Mr Lewis as its newest hero and it would be unfortunate if technicalities and uncertainty would get in their way.
New U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Mr Ronald Godard, recently presented his credentials to President Bharrat Jagdeo and both noted the close ties between their two peoples.
At the ceremony the Ambassador said: "I look forward, during my tenure in Guyana to nurturing those aspects of our relationship which benefit both our peoples."
Expressing his gratitude for the U.S. support in terms of debt relief and the tangible contributions to the economic and social development of the country, President Jagdeo said the government is looking forward to working closely with the U.S. to enhance existing programmes of cooperation and to explore new areas which would allow them to further strengthen existing relations.
And the `people-to-people' linkages between Guyana and the United States have been growing stronger, Ambassador Godard said.
He said Guyanese citizens and their U.S. offspring are continuing to contribute to the "American social and economic fabric" and in turn are continuing to contribute to their families in Guyana.
"A smoothly operating system to facilitate visits, study programs and immigration built on honesty and integrity, is an important aspect of our duties here", he commented.
Mr Lewis, a Guyanese, has found his moment of glory on American soil and wants to be able to be here to savour the sweetness with the people of his land.
We are aware of the very sensitive concerns in U.S. immigration matters involving Guyanese but feel it would be a fitting gesture if a way can be found for Mr Lewis to be able to come here for a few days and get back to New York in sufficient time to keep his commitments.
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