Newly-accredited US Ambassador to Guyana, Roland W Bullen says he looks forward to the signing of the Article 98 agreement between Guyana and the US which will allow military aid to flow unimpeded.

The Article 98 agreement would exempt US servicemen from prosecution under the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the US request for such pacts has caused controversy in CARICOM.

The US envoy commended President Bharrat Jagdeo for recognising that continued military assistance from the United States is in the best interest of both countries.

Presenting his credentials to President Jagdeo at the Office of the President on Thursday, Bullen said that while the US respected Guyana’s decision to move forward with the ratification of the Rome Statute establishing the International Criminal Court, he looked forward to signing the Article 98 agreement that will permit military assistance to flow unimpeded.

Guyana has said it will ratify the Rome Statute then sign the Article 98 agreement if this is necessary to preserve US military aid. Such aid has been cut off to several CARICOM countries because they have not concluded Article 98 agreements with the US.

Bullen said he was encouraged to learn that the security situation in Guyana was improving. This concern, he said, was not only because of the impact the security situation had on US Embassy personnel in Guyana but because a high crime rate could have a negative impact on foreign investment and other business interests that contribute to economic growth.

At the height of the crime wave a US diplomat, Steve Lesniak, entrusted with the responsibility for security was kidnapped at the Lusignan golf course and released after ransom was paid.

Bullen expressed the hope that Guyana and the US can work together with other international donors to solidify the gains that have been made against criminal elements, and to stem the flow of drugs, arms and illegal aliens across Guyana’s borders.

He said during his tenure he hopes to work together with the Guyana government to reduce the rate of HIV/AIDS infection in the country and to develop adequate treatment programmes for those already infected. Noting that AIDS has already caused the deaths of more than 20 million people in the developing countries, he said now was the time to attack the disease as it can have a devastating effect on the health of the Guyanese people and the economy.

At the embassy, both USAID and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would be working hard to assist Guyana to deal with the threat posed by HIV/AIDS.

He believes, too, that completing the Enhanced HIPC process will provide additional impetus for economic advancement.

Bullen said he was pleased to hear that the political dialogue with the opposition was continuing and that the constitutional commissions were being formed. The ambassador said too that he believes the improvements that have been made in the political, economic and security arena in Guyana are very good and encouraging signs.

Responding, Jagdeo said that as a developing country, Guyana was cognisant of the need to develop partnerships with other states in the international community based on common positions and concerns.

This need, he said, has been increased by heightened terrorist activities in the world and the need for all countries to collaborate effectively to ensure that a world of peace and stability prevails.

Noting the role that Presidents George Bush, Snr and Jimmy Carter had played in having a government democratically elected in Guyana, he said the fledgling democracy continues to be tested. “We have put a high premium on honest, open and transparent systems of government and have therefore taken several measures, including necessary legislation, to fight corruption and to restore public accountability”, the President added.

Guyana, Jagdeo said, needs a new political culture based on an ethic of cooperation and not confrontation and the nation’s problems cannot be solved by street marches and mob violence. He said further, that only through dialogue and negotiation can the country resolve its political differences and reach a consensus on the way forward.

Touching on the issue of crime and security, Jagdeo said that if “we” are to win the battle against arms, drugs and people trafficking and ensure that the criminal deportees do not add to Guyana’s problems of security, the country will need more assistance from its friends, particularly the United States. The increasing flow of deportees with criminal backgrounds to Guyana has worried law enforcement authorities here.

The President noted that the US continues to play a critical role, especially through USAID, in support of economic restructuring by providing economic and technical assistance, promoting the reform of agriculture policies and providing macro-economic, trade and private sector policy advice.

The Guyana Government was committed to trade liberalisation and a free market but as a small and vulnerable economy, the President said that the country cannot compete under these new conditions without special and differential treatment and resources for infrastructure building. On these issues, he said, Guyana looks to the United States for support.