Assures visiting UK Under Secretary...
Guyana high on British Govt. aid agenda
By Chamanlall Naipaul
Guyana Chronicle
October 28, 2003
British Under Secretary of State, Mr. Gareth Thomas, has given the reassurance that Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean remain a key area for the British government's aid programme.
Speaking at a press briefing yesterday at the British High Commissioner's residence, Bel Air Gardens, the Under Secretary of State who has responsibility for the Caribbean said that despite the war in Iraq the Caribbean still remain a crucial and important area for his government's aid programme, disclosing that about 80% of aid under the British Department For International Development (DFID) is allocated to the Caribbean.
Asked if his government is satisfied with the way aid provided to Guyana is being utilized, Mr. Thomas replied that his government does not dictate priorities on the use of aid, adding that there is no reason to doubt that funds are being spent properly.
The Under Secretary of State also met with President Bharrat Jagdeo and Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Robert Corbin, describing those meetings as "very useful" and pointed out that they focused on the local political environment and the implementation of the agreements contained in the communiqué that was signed by the two leaders in may this year. He also met Secretary - General of CARICOM, Mr. Edward Carrington
He disclosed that according to British law a key area of aid is to tackle poverty and a substantial part of his discussions with President Jagdeo focused on this issue, as well as the completion of the Highly Poor and Indebted Countries (HPIC) initiative process.
The Under Secretary of State noted too that the international donor community would like to help move the political process forward in Guyana.
Mr. Thomas, who is a Member of Parliament for the constituency of North West London, which has a substantial Caribbean presence, told the media that his visit is to help get a feel of what is happening and to assess whether there is a need to make changes to the DFID programme in the Caribbean.
However, he observed that his visit has been a short one and indicated that he would make another visit sometime after the Christmas season.