Georgetown: Government has denied entry of Carter Center and International Republican Institute (IRI) observers as the flight left without them from Miami on Monday.
The U.S. Embassy in Georgetown on Sunday clarified that it had sought approval, via official channels, for observers of the Carter Center to board a flight to Guyana today but this was denied by the national COVID-19 Task Force headed by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo.
The Embassy said it sent the Diplomatic Note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on April 29 seeking permission for flights on May 4, 2020, and May 30, 2020. The Embassy also sought the intervention of President Granger.
The US, Canadian Governments and the EU had urged the Government to reconsider its position
Reports indicate the flight left Miami between 09:30h – 09:40h and is on its way to Guyana to repatriate US citizens who are stuck here as a result of COVID-19.
The Embassy also sent a copy of the diplomatic note to the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority accompanied by a request to advance the issue to Guyana’s COVID-19 Task Force.
The U.S. Embassy was informed on Saturday, May 2 that the incoming May 4 flight had been approved by the Task Force, but not the arrival of the observers.
The recount is slated to commence Wednesday, May 6.
“The United States calls on the Government of #Guyana to approve entry for @CarterCenter and @IRIGlobal in order to ensure a transparent electoral recount. A credible recount requires robust international participation. #GuyanaElections,” Acting Assistant Secretary for U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs Michael Kozak Sunday evening tweeted.
Kozak has issued a stream of statements in recent weeks in defence of free and fair elections here and a verified result.
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