Dear Editor,

I write in response to several attacks on Guyana’s diplomacy and particularly to outrageous claims about the frequency and cost of the President’s travel.

I am specifically sending this letter to Stabroek News because your letter section and associated online comments sections have been venues for these said attacks.

Let me get straight to the point. Diplomacy for countries in the Global South is directly linked to the quality of political leadership. This political leadership means going beyond those long speeches with plenty big words that Guyanese grew up with in the 1970s and 1980s.   With the advent of globalization and the emergence of agile multilateral diplomacy it is incumbent on our political leadership to be consistently involved at the highest levels. Sustained engagement at the bilateral level is also in the national interest of this country.

Who among us would doubt that US$250 million is not worth the President’s time overseas. President Jagdeo, against most advice, and against tremendous odds, delivered for Guyana on the LCDS arrangement with Norway. We are already seeing substantive results.  The President is not content to sit at State House and watch the world go by. He is involved as he should be, and that involvement has already yielded results. Do keep in mind that this President values measurable outcomes and he is always at the ready to grab development opportunities, no matter how far away he may have to travel to realize them.

Yours faithfully,
Randy Persaud