Key diplomats in Guyana on Tuesday met with officials of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) as they continue to pressure the main opposition coalition to move forward with the government and pass the anti-money laundering bill.
The meeting comes on the heels of the United States and the United Kingdom expressing concern about the status of the legislation during an exclusive interview with this newspaper on Monday. The APNU said the meeting was held at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, Hadfield Street, Georgetown.
“The main concern of the diplomats was the status of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill,” the coalition said in its statement.
The APNU added that it used the opportunity to restate its concerns about the shortcomings of the current legislation and the fact that the work of the select committee was brought to an abrupt end without the benefit of significant input from the partnership and other interested parties.
“APNU assured the Western diplomats that the partnership is desirous of an anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism legislation that is not flawed; that restructures and strengthens the capacity of the Financial Intelligence Unit and addresses all of the deficits of the current legislation.”
Blacklisting
Present at the meeting were U.S. Ambassador D Brent Hardt, British High Commissioner Andrew Ayre, Canadian High Commissioner Dr Nicole Giles, and European Union representative Derek Lambe. APNU was represented by its chairman and opposition leader, retired Brigadier David Granger; Dr Rupert Roopnaraine; Basil Williams; Carl Greenidge; Joseph Harmon; and Ronald Bulkan.
During their interview with Guyana Times International on Monday, the U.S. and U.K. envoys warned that the effects of being blacklisted can be damaging if Guyana does not pass the bill. The diplomats also said in the interview that APNU should put forward its proposal when the House convenes. It is anticipated that the bill will soon be read in the House for a third time before it is debated.
Accusing the APNU of employing delaying tactics ahead of the November 18 deadline set by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) concluded the work of the parliamentary special select committee in the absence of the opposition last week. However, Ambassador Hardt believes that the opposition can still make its case.
“If the main opposition has amendments or ideas it thinks can make the legislation stronger, to make sure that it meets all of CFATF’s standards, they should put those on the table and debate them and move the legislation forward.”
In noting another delay the bill may face if passed in the National Assembly, the ambassador said, “I don’t know what that process is from approval to assent – I mean the local government bills – that process has taken three months, so I am not sure if this could move more quickly or not.”
He added that the U.S. is a strong supporter of countries that are instituting systems to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism. On the local scene, the U.S. embassy has been engaging the government, the opposition, the private sector, and other stakeholders on the issue of compromise. Based on extensive discussions, the U.S. ambassador opined, all are in favour of ensuring that Guyana has strong and effective anti-money laundering legislation.
Difficulties
Meanwhile, Ayre said already British investors are worried about some substantial investments in the pipeline for Guyana. Guyanese banks will face sanctions if the anti-money laundering and financing of terrorism bill is not passed.
He noted that with regards to the Bank of England, that institution is putting systems in place to cushion the impact that will likely follow if Guyana is blacklisted owing to its non-compliance with the CFATF requirements.
“The Bank of England is concerned about Guyana’s move towards potential blacklisting. It is in touch with my high commission in order to carry out continuous planning if blacklisting formally happens,” the British diplomat said.
Ayre said the process of sending remittances from the U.K. to Guyana will become difficult, as a result of increased scrutiny if the country is blacklisted.
“In terms of U.K. business investors, of course, they are worried about some substantial investments which are in the pipeline, so they don’t want Guyana to be, in any way, blacklisted, because it will increase the cost of doing business here.”
