Welcome gestures
Editorial
Guyana Chronicle
June 26, 2004
THERE were more than welcome gestures towards Guyana this week from the United States Government, including a major debt write-off that frees up significant funds for further national development.
At the ceremony for the massive US$35.6M (more than G$7B) debt write-off from the U.S. Government on Thursday, Charge d’ Affaires at the U.S. Embassy here, Ms. Betty McCutchan, said this “act of generosity” by the U.S. is a reward to Guyana for its ongoing commitment to encouraging economic growth and development.
“This gift from the people of the United States to the people of Guyana will allow the Government of Guyana to free up money for key social and economic programmes that would otherwise be needed to pay down this debt,” she said at the signing ceremony in the boardroom of the Finance Ministry, Georgetown.
Ms. McCutchan and Finance Minister, Mr. Sasenarine Kowlessar signed the agreement between the governments of Guyana and the U.S. pursuant to the Paris Club Agreed Minute of January 14, 2004 covering the write-off.
It was noted that the debt written off is equivalent to almost 10% of Guyana’s national budget in 2004.
Minister Kowlessar, in brief remarks, took the opportunity to applaud and thank the U.S. Government for its continued assistance and support through the years since Guyana’s first approach to the Paris Club for debt relief.
“The Government of Guyana wishes to assure your government and the international donor community that it remains fully committed to working towards alleviating poverty among its people and implementing sound economic policies that will keep Guyana on the path of sustainable development,” the Finance Minister said.
Ms. McCutchan said ongoing efforts are outward signs of the Government of Guyana’s commitment to increasing economic productivity in key sectors like sugar, improving the accountability and transparency of the public sector, and improving the delivery of public services such as health, education, and safe water.
The praise for the efforts of the Guyana Government came just a day after the U.S. also sanctioned the way the aid it is providing is being used by the administration here and extended its support for local development projects.
This position was echoed by Ms. McCutchan and Director of the local United States Agency for International Development (USAID) mission, Dr. Mike Sarhan.
They were speaking during the signing of a PL 480 Title I Food for Progress FY 2004 agreement which provides for the donation of 23,000 tonnes of wheat, valued at US$5M, to Guyana.
“Overall, the U.S. Government is satisfied”, Ms. McCutchan said.
According to the U.S. officials, minor problems pertaining to aid programmes have cropped up periodically, but overall the U.S. administration is satisfied with how the aid is being utilised.
The statements from the U.S. this week would have been welcome words of comfort for an administration that has been repeatedly blasted by its critics and opponents over governance and other issues.
This is yet a further and firmer indication that Guyana is continuing on the right track and should help the government persevere in the face of the incessant pressures it continues to face from those so fervently opposed to it.