Opposition ‘no’politics in Parliament hampering progress
…President Ramotar at flag-raising ceremony
THE politics of “no” has characterised the 10th Parliament, according to President Donald Ramotar, who added that this stance is hampering and undermining progress and, more importantly, the passage of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Amendment Bill.Speaking at the National Park on Sunday night, during the 48th Independence anniversary celebrations, he said, “How can we speak about fighting corruption and narco-trafficking and refuse to pass the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) and CFATF (Caribbean Financial Action Task Force) compliant bill?”
According to him, the combined Opposition’s blocking of the bill has exposed Guyana to being blacklisted by the international community, as well as all the consequences that will follow.
The President said, “As we meet tonight, (Sunday night) the Guyana delegation is on its way to the CFATF meeting which will review Guyana on our Independence Day and all indications are that Guyana will automatically be forwarded for review by the FATF.
“This means that Guyana will be listed immediately as a country that threatens the global financial, banking and insurance systems, and countries will be instructed to take protective measures against Guyana.”
Mr. Ramotar questioned what will be gained by what he termed “irresponsible and reckless” tactics in Guyana’s body politic.
He said, “This, I believe, will have an impact on the collective morality of our nation. These actions threaten the foundations of our freedom and democracy that our foreparents fought so gallantly for.”
The Head of State underscored the fact that all efforts must be made to maximise on the potential of accelerating economic growth and enhancing the quality of life of all of Guyanese people, rather than advance actions that will retard economic progress.
On that note, he acknowledged that there is much to celebrate, but underscored the fact that the momentum achieved at the end of 2011 could have allowed the nation advance, had there been greater cooperation amongst the parliamentary political parties in the National Assembly.
“My dear countrymen and women, on this our 48th Anniversary, allow me to call on all to take special pride in our achievements and to make a greater contribution to the improvements of our country,” President Ramotar stressed.
(By Vanessa Narine)
takne fro the Guyana chronicle
