Opposition remains unmoved despite Ramotar’s plea

By Michael Younge –

President Donald Ramotar has made a special appeal to the 10th Parliament, particularly the opposition to “do all that is possible” to ensure that the proposed amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill are passed into law before May 27 as the country will face serious international sanctions and blacklisting if the opposite occurs.

Ramotar’s unprecedented appeal came on Wednesday when lawmakers met to discuss several issues related to the business of the country, even though surprisingly, the amendments did not form part of the agenda for the 57th sitting of the National Assembly, despite its importance.
“I am calling on the parliamentary political parties and their representatives in the special select committee on the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill to do all that is possible to complete the review of this bill and return it to the House expeditiously,” he insisted.
Calling on the parliamentarians to demonstrate unity, zeal and a rebirth of the patriotic sentiments, the president said Guyana’s destiny was in their hands, especially as one contemplates the impact that the non-approval of the legislation will have on Guyana’s economy, ranging from small businesses and consumers to national institutions and large scale enterprises.
Time is ripe
He said the time is ripe again for compromise and the need for politicians to act maturely, demonstrating their ability to rise to the occasion, as was done in other developing countries that faced similar consequences with the passage of the amendments.
“It may be important to consider that many other countries in the Caricom region have also experienced challenges as small and developing countries in meeting the recommendations established by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force in the international cooperation review group in order to reduce structural and administrative deficiencies” in the current architecture of the legislation, while meeting international protectionist financial standards.
He maintained that there was a need for re-engagement at the level of the special select parliamentary committee which was reviewing the proposed amendments to the bill. Discussions came to a halt after Opposition Leader David Granger withdrew his representatives from engagements at the commitment level after he felt slighted that the government withheld some information about the amendments from the opposition, despite advice which suggested the need for all stakeholders to have access to the information.
President Ramotar also urged that Parliament convenes a special meeting to exclusively address the second and third meeting of the bill with the view of completing work ahead of the review process which commences on April 26.
“I am calling on all Members of Parliament to do all that is possible to re-engage at the parliamentary special select committee to bring the bill back to the House on May 24, or the latest May 28…” Ramotar insisted.
“Guyana’s destiny is in your hands and I anticipate as Guyanese first and leaders of our political parties, we shall not be found wanting… I don’t expect that the support will limit the opposition’s right to criticise what it sees as deficiencies…” the head of state said. His letter was also read in the 65-seat legislature by leader of government business in the House, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, at the commencement of Wednesday’s sitting.
Return to talks
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader David Granger announced the APNU’s intentions to return to the discussions table at the level of the special parliamentary select committee to complete the review of the amendments proposed to the act.
Granger, speaking with journalists during the break, said while he was not satisfied with the president and government en bloc, he understood the importance of resuming engagements at the level of Parliament. He has put some of his logistical concerns aside.
“We want to get ahead with the business before the select committee and that is what we are doing,” the opposition leader noted, warning nonetheless that the coalition will not be rushed into meeting any government deadline. He explained that the amendment bill will be brought before the National Assembly when the select committee completes its deliberations and said that there could be lots of dangers in passing amendments unanimously and without review for the country despite the urgency of the issue at hand.
“We are prepared to give the people of Guyana a money laundering act they can live with… No matter how long it takes, the public will get a good act…,” he stressed.
Despite President Ramotar’s unprecedented appeal, the Alliance For Change (AFC) continued its hardline position and did not signal any shifting in its posture or demands made at the onset of consideration of the amendments proposed by government.