Privacy laws prohibit naming individuals
U.S. urges President to “step aside” but also admits it must “wait for a declaration”
By Lisa Hamilton
TIIE United States (U.S) is tight-lipped on the names or number of individuals in Guyana who have been affected by the visa restrictions announced by U.S. Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo on Wednesday.
ln a virtual press briefing on Thursday, hosted by U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, the Ambassador said that “privacy laws” prevent the U.S. from naming these individuals.
“Visa records are confidential under U.S. law. We are not able to identify the individuals or provide details on any individual visa kits,” Lynch stated. “People will be informed when they apply for a visa or if they already have one and they plan lo travel to the U.S., they will be informed that their visa has been revoked.”
However, about 30 minutes after the press briefing, the U.S. Embassy clarified that: “Individuals whose visas have been revoked under the Secretary’s announcement yesterday will be informed by the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy.” Still, the newspaper is unaware of which communication method will be used to relay this information to the said individuals.
The visa restrictions were made under Section 212 of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act which speaks to the restriction of persons who potentially pose “serious adverse foreign policy consequences” to the U.S. Lynch said that the restrictions took effect as soon as they were announced by the U.S. Secretary of State on Wednesday.
CONTRASTLNG POSITIONS
The Ambassador denied that this move of the U.S. government has anything to do with intentions to target the Venezuelan government through Guyana. “We’re focused on Guyana. It has nothing to do with any other nation,” she said.
Questioned whether the actions of the U.S. Government could be seen as premature considering that the matter of an election declaration is still before the Court, the Ambassador defended that over 130 nations worldwide have called for an end to the election process.
The Ambassador said “We do not feel that we’re getting ahead of anything here. As I’ve now said several times, the Secretary of State has spoken out for several weeks about the potential for serious consequences should Guyana or should individuals in Guyana continue to undermine the democratic process.”
On the matter of premature actions, the question was also posed that given the fact that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has not yet made a declaration which is the basis upon which a new President is elected and subsequently sworn in how does the U.S. government justify requesting that President David Granger nonetheless “step aside”.
Lynch did not answer the direct question. She responded: “The initial election on March 2, as well as the recount, had substantial observation efforts international, local, party agents, election officials. As I said in my opening remarks, there were seven separate results for this election two that were credible from the initial election and the Secretary of State had mentioned that we recognise the legitimate and credible count of the national vote recount.”
In contrast, when asked whether the U.S. recognises Presidential Candidate of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, lrfaan Ali, as having won the elections, the U.S. Ambassador responded: “We will wait for a declaration from the Chairwoman of GECOM.”
Awaiting a declaration from the Elections Commission is what President David Granger has asked the international community to do as opposed to its call for him to “concede” or “step aside”.
The President said in July 2020: “The Executive branch of Government does not have a role in managing elections. That role is given
under the Constitution, exclusively, explicitly to the Elections Commission. I cannot claim victory, which I have not done, and I cannot concede defeat, which I have not done, unless I’m notified, formally, by the Chairperson of the Elections Commission.”
In other words, even if President Granger were to “step aside”, the Elections Commission would still have to complete the electoral process in accordance with the Law and Constitution, before another President can be sworn in.
AWAIT A DECLARATION
Still, on Wednesday, in announcing the visa restrictions, the U.S. Secretary of State called on President David Granger to “step aside”.
“Today I’m announcing visa restrictions on individuals responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Guyana. Immediate family members of such persons may also be subject to Restrictions. The Granger government must respect the result of democratic elections and step aside,”‘ Pompeo said.
In his extended statement, he said that he has been clear on previous occasions that the U.S. stands with the Guyanese people and that there would be consequences for individuals who seek to undermine democracy.
He said that the events following the March 2 elections indicate that there are “forces” that have repeatedly refused to accept the will of the people at the ballot box.
In response on Wednesday, the Executive arm of Government expressed that it was regretful of the decision taken by the U.S. State
Department but nonetheless urged all locally and abroad to await the conclusion of the elections.
The Government said: “The matter affecting the outcome of Guyana’s elections is still before courts, which is entirely the responsibility of the judiciary. No declaration has been made’. The Executive Branch has not participated in the undermining of the electoral process and urges all countries interested in Guyana’s development to await the logical conclusion of the process which is being managed by the Elections Commission, in accordance with the Constitution of Guyana.”
Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_epaper_07_17_2020