Governor of the State of Roraima, Jose de Anchieta Junior
A midst flak from the main opposition parties contesting this year’s elections over the appearance of a Brazilian governor at the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic rally in Lethem on Sunday, the neighbouring country on Tuesday reiterated that Brasilia is in favour of the principles of non- intervention and self-determination.
It said too that the presence of a Brazilian official to salute the communities at the rally should not be construed as support for any of the political parties contesting the forthcoming elections.
Both the Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) have condemned the presence of Roraima State Governor Jose de Anchieta Junior, and on Tuesday, the parties took their protest to the Brazilian embassy on Church Street, demanding an apology from the mission and also the resignation of Foreign Affairs Minister, Carolyn Rodrigues- Birkett. The PPP has already said that Junior’s appearance was solely to greet the residents of border town Lethem and not for political purposes.
In its statement, the Brazilian embassy said that its government understands that Guyana– as well as any country – is entitled to choose its representatives in an independent, free and transparent way. The embassy said when the governor learned about President Jagdeo’s visit to Lethem, he took the opportunity to visit him in order to discuss subjects related to the border, as well as the integration between Roraima and Guyana.
“Governor Anchieta also had the chance to meet Donald Ramotar, PPP/C presidential candidate at a courtesy meeting”. The embassy said the governor took the initiative to salute the community by attending the meeting.
“… The Brazilian government expresses, therefore, its total neutrality and impartiality in the development of the electoral process in Guyana and expresses its best wishes and confidence in a successful outcome, as by all expected.”
Meanwhile, APNU said that the governor’s actions have wide international repercussions. It said the issue smacks of disregard for the norms and practices of what constitutes acceptable behaviour in Guyana and the rest of the English-speaking Caribbean.
An APNU delegation, led by presidential candidate Brigadier David Granger and including the prime ministerial candidate Dr Rupert Roopnarine, campaign director Joseph Harmon, Georgetown Mayor Hamilton Greene, and Lance Carberry, met with Brazilian Ambassador to Guyana, Luiz Gilberto Seixas de Andrade, on Tuesday morning.
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