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Canada and Guyana

Remarks by Hon. David Kilgour, Secretary of State (Latin America & Africa)
in response to Clement Rohee, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana
Georgetown, Guyana
May 22, 1998

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Mr. Clement Rohee, members of the Cabinet, invited guests:

I am honoured to be in Guyana on the first extended visit by a Canadian Minister since my predecessor, Christine Stewart, was here in January 1994. Since I took up these duties less than a year ago I have been looking forward to meeting you. We have much to discuss and to do together.

Since Christine Stewart was here we have had many other high level contacts. The late President Cheddi Jagan visited Canada in June 1996, a productive visit that, among other things, cemented the warm personal relationship that existed between him and Prime Minister Chrétien.

Canada's Governor General, the Rt. Hon. Roméo Leblanc, attended the funeral of Dr. Jagan. During his brief visit to Guyana he had ample reason to experience Guyanese hospitality, and to get to know President Jagan and Prime Minister Hinds, whom he regards as a fellow New Brunswicker.

Prime Minister Hinds is, even as we speak, in Ottawa enjoying our return hospitality and exploring opportunities for dialogue and cooperation.

The summit in the Bahamas last month between Prime Minister Chrétien and the leaders of the CARICOM countries was a further opportunity for dialogue. Indeed, this has been a busy year for us with the Caribbean and it will continue. As you may know, Canadians are hosting the Summit of the Americas in 2000 and is playing a leading role in almost all facets of the hemispheric agenda, including the FTAA.

Canadians and Guyanese don't require much occasion or excuse to talk to each other. We do so every day. There are some 200,000 Canadians of Guyanese origin. One of them, Ovid Jackson, MP, visited Guyana with the Governor General. Many Guyanese Canadians, and some visitors from Guyana, are now gathering in Toronto to celebrate the thirty second anniversary of independence, on which I also offer my congratulations. There are many people now building Guyana who have trained, lived, or worked in Canada, and hardly a family here without a Canadian connection.

This is a time of challenge and change for both our countries. We confront together the challenge of globalization, free trade and technological change including the information revolution. Canada has great sympathy for the problems of smaller economies in this process and has programs to assist in managing this transition.

We are well aware of the progress that has been made in Guyana in recent years through economic reforms, the creation of a more favourable climate for foreign investment, and the setting free of entrepreneurial skills and energy. We know that much remains to be done and we are assisting this process. But we hope that the interest shown by Canadians in trading with and investing in Guyana will continue. We hope to cap this in the near future with the completion of a foreign investment protection agreement.

Trade between our countries is almost four times what is was in 1992. There are many opportunities for continued expansion of two-way trade, which can only be to the mutual benefit of Guyana and Canada.

And while we are assisting in developing the economy, the private sector, and the government, we must not forget the challenge of poverty alleviation, social development, and growth with equity. Canadian and Guyanese people, both government-to-government and privately, are working together to implement imaginative, flexible, "people-oriented" development programs to unlock the human potential of Guyana, to ensure environmental protection and stewardship, and to promote regional cooperation through CARICOM.

We have also observed the progress made by Guyana toward democracy and good governance. We recognize that that progress, along with the economic and social progress of recent years, faces a major challenge. I refer, of course, to the controversy surrounding the December 15 election.

This, as we all recognize, is a challenge for Guyana which, in the end, only Guyanese can solve. I discussed it today with you, Mr. Minister, and the President, and I will speak with Mr. Hoyte tomorrow. I which only, as the representative of a friendly government with deep ties to Guyana and a strong commitment to democracy and progress in the hemisphere and the world, to make it clear that you can count on our concern, sympathy and help as you do so. You are not alone.

We fully support the role of CARICOM and the excellent statesmanship reflected in the Herdmanston Accord. The Accord, for which I commend President Jagan, Mr. Hoyte, and CARICOM, is a comprehensive framework within which not only the immediate political problems, but the underlying political, social and economic problems, can be addressed.

We have every confidence that, with goodwill, tolerance, dialogue, cooperation, and vision, Guyana will not only surmount its present difficulties but strengthen its social harmony and democratic development.

Canada and Guyana are poised to address the breathtaking challenges of a new millennium which will soon be upon us. We must adjust to profound political, economic, social and cultural change. We must promote human rights, democracy, and good governance. We must provide adequate food, water, shelter, health, education, security, and a clean environment to all our people. These challenges will require us to look forward, to display leadership, and to marshal all the energy, skill, and determination of our people if we are to succeed.

We have bright opportunities and important challenges before us. Let us continue our dialogue, and renew our friendship, as we address them, together.

With these few words, Minister, I wish to express my gratitude for your excellent hospitality and the way you have made me feel welcome. I look forward to the remainder of my visit and to further cementing the close and friendly ties between our people.

 
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