The occasion of the observance of another anniversary milestone of the Independence of the United States of America, held at the residence of outgoing Ambassador to Guyana, Dr. Brent Hardt, is very revealing.
Immediately after the address by acting Foreign Affairs Minister, Ms. Priya Manickchand, she was booed by elements within the gathering that comprised diplomatic representatives, and those from other notable NGOs.
This particular action could be described as very interesting, since some of its purveyors were noted anti-government critics.
The occasion can be described as the ‘high noon’ in the forays of the ambassador’s many pronouncements on matters pertaining to Guyana’s internal affairs.
Since the nation has been au fait with Ambassador Hardt’s statements, details will not be repeated, except to say that they have clearly been undiplomatic, and uncharacteristic of the best norms of diplomatic protocol and practices.
Not even colleague Heads/States/Governments are known to do such an unethical thing. But this is the United States’ style and brand of international diplomacy, which is clearly the result of their perceived mission as the self-ascribed guardian of democracy, and has been known for its public judgment of matters pertaining to other sovereign States’ affairs. OBSERVER wonders where is the legitimacy for such rights.
As an aside, and also a stark contradiction of what this self-righteous nation has portrayed itself to be – it has refused to recognise the International Criminal Court (ICC) that brings to justice those who commit war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, as having any jurisdiction as it relates to the conduct of Americans. Then there is the contrast of its controversial Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FACTA), a federal law that makes it incumbent for all foreign financial institutions to report on their (United States) clients to the Inland Revenue Services. Of course, there are severe penalties for those institutions that fail to comply.
The first instance of the ICC, with its refusal to accede to the Treaty, virtually bestows on American troops the right to behave with impunity in any theatre of conflict, without fear of being indicted before the Tribunal.
The FACTA stipulation is simply an arrangement that is imposed on states within the international system to reveal the accounts of US account holders. It is compulsory, lest those institutions are prepared to face punitive sanctions. One wonders whether China, for example, can enact such legislation, demanding similar reciprocity from the US, as far as Chinese account holders are concerned.
Ambassador Hardt’s conduct has been very unfortunate, and totally unexpected, given his background as a seasoned career diplomat.
He would have known that there are the proper diplomatic channels via which such issues about a host country are to be discussed. But to be lecturing a Head of State on his actions with regard a particular issue of a State that is sovereign, is clearly passing the red line, in addition to being intolerable.
In another jurisdiction, Hardt would have been asked to leave! The fact is that Guyana has been very charitable in its patience and accommodating when it ought not to be.
As for the heckling, it revealed the shameful double standards of those who have sought to lecture the government on democracy. Is it not hypocritical for those persons present, some of the well-known ‘mouthers,’ to have descended to the shocking level of booing after the Minister spoke, when her only fault was to have represented the government and people of her country.
She should be commended for her forthright position. She is a patriot. Therefore, those misplaced Guyanese ought to be reminded of the immortal words of the French philosopher, Voltaire: “I do not agree with what you say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.”
Had they been aware of this statement, a well-known Opposition politician would not have allegedly been caught trying to disrupt/prevent Minister Manickchand from speaking, by attempting to unplug the transmission system’s wire.
How low can some of our so-called Guyanese be! They should be reminded that Massa Day done!