Retired Rear Admiral and Central Executive Committee member of the Peoples’ National Congress Reform (PNCR), Gary Best is accusing the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) of aligning with the political opposition to stage a political protest at Pegasus yesterday in a bid to embarrass the Head of State.
During the picketing exercise yesterday morning, demonstrators interrupted President Granger, who was at the time delivering remarks at a GMSA-organised event.
“The party’s position is that the President was invited to GSMA event and the outcome of the event and the antics by the Peoples’ Progressive Party, suggest that, in the clearest of terms rather, that this was something orchestrated by the GMSA to embarrass the President.” Best told media operatives at a press conference at Congress Place, Sophia this morning.
The former Chief of Staff noted that while freedom of choice, freedom of expression and freedom of association should be enjoyed by citizens, they go both ways. He noted that while the protestors have a right to do their demonstration, the President should have enjoyed the same privileges. Best contends that the President should not have been disturbed in delivering his remarks to the attendees at the GSMA business luncheon.
“So, in our view – the party’s view – it was clearly orchestrated to embarrass the President and to create a platform for the PPP to further embarrass this government,” he said.
Asked if he has proof to substantiate his claim, Best said, “The proof is in the evidence of what occurred. [With] the GMSA holding an event where the President will be attending: one would think that the GMSA would also contact the security forces; one would think that the GSMA would anticipate protesting and therefore seek to ensure the safety and security of the officials who are coming to the event.”
Best continued, “Our view [is that] GMSA foisted this event upon the President so he can be embarrassed and his minister who was also there…We see no evidence from the GMSA to the contrary because the evidence is clearly in what occurred. So, it is difficult for the party to believe that the GMSA has nothing to do with it.”
When the GMSA was contacted this morning for a comment, the Guyana Standard was told that the President of the association was abroad, and that all matters should be referred to the Senior Vice-President, Ramsay Ali, who subsequently, provided a “no comment” to this publication.
