Lou-Anne Gilchrist – St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ambassador to the Organisation of American States
25th of July, 2020. Georgetown, Guyana, South America
Last updated: July 25, 2020 at 11:59 am
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Diplomat, Lou-Anne Gilchrist, last Tuesday, 21st of July, 2020, said that, contrary to ridiculous accusations by the APNU/AFC supporters, CARICOM is not interfering in the internal affairs of Guyana, but is doing what is demanded of it based on the CARICOM Treaty.
CARICOM is doing no more than carrying out the requirements of the CARICOM Treaty, by which, in its preamble, every CARICOM government accepted all the various agreements including the Charter of Civil Society which the Conference of Heads of Governments adopted on 19th February 1997”.
Lou-anne gilchrist – 21st of july, 2020
Gilchrist related that Article 6 of the Charter states that every state of CARICOM must ensure the existence of a fair and open democratic system through the holding of free elections “at reasonable intervals by secret ballot underpinned by an electoral system in which all can have confidence and which will ensure the free expression of the will of the people in the choice of their representatives.”
“CARICOM’s role, therefore, is not interference in the domestic affairs of a foreign country. It is participation in Community affairs which is the essence of the Revised CARICOM Treaty under the Charter of Civil Society that preceded it. We in CARICOM underscored that in our concerted effort to assist Guyana (and) our willingness to help resides in our desire to reach a peaceful solution and not to widen the current division. We urge the relevant authorities in Guyana and all stakeholders to respect the rule of law and to make progress in finalizing the legal processes including taking account of rulings by Guyana’s Apex Court, the Caribbean Court of Justice the decision as delivered on July 8 this year”
Lou-anne gilchrist – 21st of july, 2020
The report submitted by former Jamaican Prime Minister, Mr. Bruce Golding, was described by the OAS secretary general as “very professional” and indicates that the PPP/C has won the March 2, 2020 elections in Guyana, South America.
