Steering clear of commenting on the United States’ (US) domestic politics, Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo this afternoon expressed the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic’s (PPP/C) eagerness to work closely with the Donald Trump administration.
At the very opening of his weekly press conference held today at Freedom House, Jagdeo congratulated President Elect Trump for his “historic achievement,” noting that he is only the second US president to serve a second non-consecutive term.
As he avoided speaking about the merit of candidates, Jagdeo said, “Over 72 million have spoken, we have to respect their wishes, they have chosen their leader.” He made note of the fact that the election was conducted in a respectable manner and said that he anticipates a peaceful transition, which is commendable in a world where there is significant turmoil.
Jagdeo also stressed how much the PPP/C government is looking forward to working with Trump’s administration. He made it a point to note, “We had a good working relationship with his (Trump) administration in the past” adding, “we are looking forward to continuing and growing.” Jagdeo said as well that his government believes the US to be a very close partner and will work continuously to build that partnership.
Additionally, Jagdeo said that his government will also work assiduously to fix the image painted of Guyana and the manner in which it is currently being managed. “We will work with his (Trump) administration to debunk the lies peddled by some forces including the (local) opposition.”
Jagdeo also claimed that for the past few years, the local opposition parties have been meeting US government officials and feeding them “a bunch of lies.” He said that almost every mission that comes to Guyana from the US has been told that the PPP is racist, corrupt and incompetent.
“They have also been told that the PPP squanders oil money and the PPP does not like the US but is in bed with China. That is their standard narrative, every mission that comes to Guyana I can predict what they will say to them,” said Jagdeo.
The Guyanese leader asserted that the facts, “of course” are “very different and we have also been meeting with those officials to set the record straight.”
Jagdeo said that another example of record to be set straight has to do with the infamous Rickford Burke. He referred to Burke as one who abuses the system.
“People like Burke and them are constantly going to the law enforcement saying someone wants to kill him from the Government of Guyana. No one has any harmful desire in relation to him. But he makes these false reports to mislead. We are looking forward to much more information flowing about his criminal act here,” said Jagdeo.
Jagdeo noted with reference to Burke’s “criminal acts here” that he was not referring to Burke’s staunch opposition to the PPP government nor his “racists rants.” Instead, Jagdeo said he was referring to “real criminal acts perpetrated on innocent Guyanese, acts of extortion for money.”
