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General Secretary of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Oscar Clarke, has labeled People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Clement Rohee, a hypocrite. This is as a result of Rohee’s comments to the effect that other countries and foreign entities should refrain from “meddling” in Guyana’s internal affairs.A week ago, Rohee rejected a warning by British High Commissioner, Andrew Ayre, that Guyana could be sanctioned for breaching the Commonwealth Charter.This was with regard to the continued prorogation of Parliament.Ayre had said that parliamentary democracy was not only a requirement under the Guyana Constitution but also the Commonwealth Charter. Because of this, he urged that President Donald Ramotar resume Parliament at the earliest.On the heels of Ayre’s statements,Cheap NFL Jerseys, Rohee told the media that the international community is becoming too involved in Guyana’s internal affairs and warned that foreign interference should have limits.He reminded that Guyana gained independence from Britain in 1966 and as such, the country is not obligated to pay heed to their statements.“We don’t have to listen to what Britain says in respect of such pronouncements. This is an independent country. The British have their own arrangements there too, so you know, take it or leave it,Cheap Authentic Jerseys, twist it or turn it,Cheap Jerseys From China, however you will want to put it, the fact of the matter is that Guyana is an independent country; we have our own constitution,” the General Secretary told Reporters.Just one week later, Rohee changed his mouth.He is now saying that meddling should be welcomed in Guyana when it is “justified.”As he hosted the PPP weekly press conference at Freedom House on Monday, Rohee was asked what policy PPP has changed to effect in the shift of position on international interference as the PPP, when in opposition, welcomed interference but shuns it now the Party has gained power.He responded by saying that before 1992, the involvement of foreign states could be seen as “justified meddling”.“I don’t think in 1992 or prior 1992, that was meddling. If it was meddling,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, it was justified meddling”, Rohee said.He explained that the involvement of foreign states was welcomed during that time in Guyana’s history because there was an “undemocratic government” in place.Rohee conceded that his party had lobbied the United States (US) State Department,cheap nfl jerseys elite, Carter Centre and other international organizations prior to 1992 so as to have free and fair elections in Guyana.He said however,Cheap Baseball Jerseys, that it was justified back then as “In those days (pre-1992) you had an undemocratic regime that held on to political power by rigged elections and, therefore, regime change – even though the phrase was not coined in those days- was applicable.”When it was pointed that the opposition parties are raising democratic concerns today also, Rohee said “obviously if the opposition is accusing us of that, it is to be expected because we don’t expect the Opposition to say we have a wonderful democracy in Guyana.”In an invited comment, PNCR, General Secretary, Oscar Clarke,NFL Jerseys From China, said that it is very hypocritical of Rohee and the PPP to now be against international interference when “they campaigned throughout the world in the past” lobbying interference.He said that it is typical of the PPP to only praise a move when it is suitable for its own cause, “meddling was alright then, why it is not alright now?”With regard to democracy, Clarke said that the PPP is currently the perfect representation of an undemocratic regime as Guyana has for the first time seen a prorogued parliament and “if they were serious about what the people feel they would have never prorogued the Parliament.”Clarke said, “They are only talking democracy but they don’t really follow the norms of democracy, in a democratic nation, heed is given to the voice of the majority…they know they are on their way out that is why they are behaving like this.”The US, Britain and the Organisation of American States (OAS) have called for an end to the now two-month old suspension of Parliament. President Donald Ramotar prorogued the Parliament on November 10, 2014, mere hours before the combined opposition-controlled House had been due to pass a no-confidence motion in his administration. |
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