Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10GEORGETOWN1
2010-01-11 20:42:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Georgetown
Cable title:  

Pol/Econ Round-up December 25- January 11

Tags:  PREL PGOV ECON XL CH GY 
pdf how-to read a cable
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ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O R 112042Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0136
INFO EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
RHEFHLC/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHINGTON DC
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L GEORGETOWN 000001 

SIPDIS
NOFORN
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR - SEAN WHALEN/WILLARD SMITH
AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN PASS TO AMEMBASSY GRENADA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/01/11
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON XL CH GY
SUBJECT: Pol/Econ Round-up December 25- January 11

CLASSIFIED BY: Carol Horning, Charge d'affaires, USAID, USAID;
REASON: 1.4(B),(D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L GEORGETOWN 000001

SIPDIS
NOFORN
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR - SEAN WHALEN/WILLARD SMITH
AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN PASS TO AMEMBASSY GRENADA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/01/11
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON XL CH GY
SUBJECT: Pol/Econ Round-up December 25- January 11

CLASSIFIED BY: Carol Horning, Charge d'affaires, USAID, USAID;
REASON: 1.4(B),(D)


1. (U) This "round-up" reporting cable covers the period from
December 25, 2009 to January 11, 2010.



Search for next PPP Presidential Candidate Begins


2. (C) The People's Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary
Donald Ramotar publicly stated on December 30 that the PPP has
started the process to identify a presidential candidate for the
2011 national elections. While discussions are "very preliminary",
individuals identified as potential candidates include Ramotar,
Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran, Agriculture
Minister Robert Persaud, and Member of Parliament Moses Nagamooto.
Ramotar publicly stated on December 30 that he would feel "honored"
to receive the party nomination and that he would accept. Moses
Nagamotoo told PolChief on December 31 that Ramotar announced this
publicly without the "blessing" of the Executive Committee.
Political and business elites have told PolChief that while Ramotar
is the front runner, much depends upon power struggles within the
Party and Jagdeo's post-2011 plans.



China and Guyana Sign USD5.9 Million Cooperation Agreement


3. (C) On December 23, Finance Minister Ashni Singh and
Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Zhang Jungao signed an economic and
technical cooperation agreement worth USD5.9 million. Singh told
PolChief on January 8 that likely sectors of cooperation include
agriculture and the health sector. He said that the Chinese
government has provided funding for the GoG in excess of USD32
million over the past five years. The Chinese have invested in
several projects in Guyana including transportation infrastructure,
mushroom cultivation, construction of a co-generation plant at
Berbice to enhance sugar production, loans to finance the
development of the power sector, and providing medical equipment
and training for doctors, Singh said.



Broadcast and FOI legislation Still Not Passed


4. (SBU) In August, 2009, President Bharrat Jagdeo publicly
promised that by 2010, the Broadcast Bill and Freedom of
Information (FOI) Bill would be passed, breaking the government's
monopoly on radio and providing the public access to information.
Proponents of both bills have argued that the bills are essential
for allowing private individuals access to radio licenses, and
improving transparency and government accountability. Despite a
2008 Guyana Court of Appeal decision stating the government
monopoly on radio was illegal, as well as repeated calls by
opposition party members for public access to information, movement
to pass both pieces of legislation remains slow. Skepticism remains
over the Jagdeo Administration's commitment to pass legislation as
dates for approval continue to be pushed back indefinitely.



300,000 ounces of Gold Declared - Record Breaking Figure


5. (SBU) The Guyana Gold Board (GGB) saw a record-breaking
declaration of over 305,000 troy ounces declared in 2009 by small
and medium scale miners, representing a 17.2 percent increase over
2008 figures. The GGB reported that while the performance of gold
has been improving in recent years, a parallel market is distorting
the true production and declaration figures for gold in Guyana. The
sudden media and public relations campaign announcing "record"
numbers by the GGB is politically based, according to industry
analysts. Gold miners are concerned that President Jagdeo's Low
Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and accompanying regulations
will hurt the mining industry. In particular, recent government
proposals mandating miners to provide six months notice prior to
commencing mining operations and giving the Guyana Forestry
Commission (GFC) veto power over mining activities, is a cause for
concern, GGB members said. Launching media campaigns is one way the
Board puts pressure on the Jagdeo Administration to scrap
regulations perceived to negatively impact the mining industry.
HORNING