THE outgoing USA Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Brent Hardt, has been very much in the news within recent weeks. Generally perceived as a media-oriented diplomat, envoy Hardt has not been reluctant to publicly engage in controversial national issues—even when avoidable.In the process he may well have conveyed the impression, at times, of relishing such an approach in sharp contrast to other accredited diplomats to Guyana from other friendly nations. Now, as he winds up his diplomatic tour of duty, Ambassador Hardt remains media focused in making news, some of positive developments, others unnecessarily irritating.
Two most recent contrasting examples would suffice: Mr. Hardt was pleased to identify his work here with Washington’s decision to, finally, establish in Guyana an office of the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). This has long been a matter of interest for the Guyana Government, consistent with its overall efforts to combat trafficking in drugs as well human trafficking and gun-running, and, therefore, a warmly welcome development.
Guyana is on record as expressing gratitude for the related security assistance it has also received from other overseas partners as well, such as the United Kingdom and Canada. Ambassador Hardt could justifiably take credit for his own enabling efforts that have resulted in last week’s official public announcement that he shared with President Donald Ramotar on the coming DEA office here.
Ambassador Hardt has also alluded to his efforts—appreciated by the Guyana Government—to encourage and sustain interest by American investors.
In our vital natural resources sector, in particular oil exploration, this remains a work in progress and we anxiously await likely positive developments.
Further, given our preference against referencing, at this stage, the unpleasant political interferences that had so seriously threatened the US-funded Leadership and Democracy (LEAD) Project, we are looking forward to mature and competent involvement by all relevant partners for the successful implementation of the various segments.
At the same time, it is relevant to observe that, as if he cherishes being diplomatically different, Ambassador Hardt thought it necessary to engage in a bit of public lecturing last week on his perception of the failure by Guyana and its CARICOM partners to discuss with Cuba issues pertaining to democracy and human rights.
As reported in our yesterday’s edition, Ambassador Hart said: “I wish Guyana and other countries would reflect their own values and the aspirations of their people in their discussions with Cuba to try to encourage them to open up a bit and give the people the freedoms that the people of this Region enjoy, demand and expect.”
The government and people of Cuba have much, in their own experiences, their political and social culture of resistance against overt and covert means to destabilise their revolutionary system, to guide them after 52 years of defending themselves and country against an unprecedented US economic, trade and financial embargo.
For her part, Foreign Minister Carolyn Rodriques-Birkett lost no time in responding to an invited comment by the ‘Chronicle’ to Ambassador Hardt’s concern about lack of “democracy” in Cuba.
The Foreign Minister was precise: “This matter has come up before,” she declared, “and I indicated that no one should instruct Guyana on what it should tell anyone. I am aware that there are several developed countries that deal with other countries which do not practice the democracy that is practiced in Guyana, or in the US for that matter.”
Good wishes to you, Ambassador Hardt, as you take your leave from Guyana for whatever new role awaits you by President Barack Obama’s administration.
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SAYINGS AND GOING OF US ENVOY HARDT
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