Saudi desk at Ministry totally unacceptable

Topics

Django

July 12, 2022

Dear Editor,

I write in support of the editorial `Saudi investment delegation’ (Stabroek News July 11, 2022). I believe President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, blundered in welcoming this delegation at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on July 8, 2022.

In the first place, I believe his Arabian outfit was totally inappropriate. He was addressing the delegates in his own country in his capacity as host and President of Guyana, a country of six races and multiple religions. This was not a religious or a cultural function. His choice of attire was not representative of the Guyanese dress code and created the impression of pandering.

The editorial quotes the Head of the Saudi delegation as requesting “a special desk under your presidency or even in one of the ministries that handles Saudi investments and look after Saudi investors” to which President Ali is reported as responding “As of today, there will be a Saudi Arabia Desk in the Ministry of Finance”. I agree with the editorial that “Any locating of a desk at the Ministry of Finance for Saudi Arabia is wholly unacceptable and must not be permitted”.

Not only is such a desk in the Ministry of Finance unprecedented, but also, it creates the perception of preferential treatment to the Saudis. Guyana has been attracting investors from countries which have been providing aid to the country for decades. These countries are now likely to conclude that, with a Saudi desk in the Ministry of Finance which operates out of the Office of the President, their investors will not be on a level playing field but at a disadvantage. President Ali should tread carefully in making accommodations for new friends.

Yours faithfully,

Harry Hergash

Replies sorted oldest to newest

AmbedkarNew Member

Like or not, the majority of citizens in Guyana are Christians, why is this President have the Quran read at national projects. National projects are not religious oriented. Men who dress up are insecure, this comrade likes Arabian clothes, he has been wearing it for awhile whenever he has the chance to. All the time, I think the man was in Saudie Arabia.

Unless there is a public outcry, the minor of minority will impose themselves on the Christians citizens. This is all about religion.

Guyana will destroy itself by these bullies.

7/12/2211:16 AM

cainTired old hippie

I got a feeling Irfart plan on taking pointers from dem Saudis on how fi use power tools...especially a bandsaw.

7/12/224:45 PM

MitwahSenior Member

Those poor Saudis, they just can't afford to set up an office in Guyana. This is a good gesture by Ali. Hope he does this for the poor Haitians also.

7/13/227:01 AM

Ali Khan AzadNew Member

Haitians are good hardworking people. What about if Guyana exchanges racist and criminal black Guyanese with Haiti for Haitian blacks? Guyana can throw in Mitwah, his 20 escaping troublesome dead men, and that Koolie who thinks that he is black Benchopsticks in the exchange to sweeten the deal with the Haitian government.

7/15/225:05 PM

MitwahSenior Member

@Ali Khan Azad posted:
Haitians are good hardworking people. What about if Guyana exchanges racist and criminal black Guyanese with Haiti for Haitian blacks? Guyana can throw in Mitwah, his 20 escaping troublesome dead men, and that Koolie who thinks that he is black Benchopsticks in the exchange to sweeten the deal with the Haitian government.

And what about your dozen or so black harlem lover boyz? 1437

Aren't you the "koolie" pretending to be a black Moor of Texas?

7/15/228:51 PM

Ali Khan AzadNew Member

Mits those Haitians are magicians. They will turn your twenty dead men into zombie cane cutters. Don't worry we will throw keffer into the deal also. He will teach the Haitian government how to catch fake pandits.

7/15/2210:06 PM