Teixeira says top diplomats’ comments ‘regrettable’, announces June 5 parliamentary sitting

Government Chief Whip and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Gail Teixeira has criticised comments from members of the diplomatic corps in Guyana regarding parliamentary sittings, saying foreign representatives should have first engaged the government before making public statements.

Teixeira described it as “regrettable” that ambassadors and high commissioners did not first seek clarification from the government, which holds the majority in the National Assembly, on plans for Parliament.

She said that had such engagement taken place, diplomats would have been informed that a sitting of the National Assembly was already scheduled for June 5.

Teixeira argued that some foreign missions appeared to be hearing only “one side of the story” rather than also engaging the government on parliamentary matters.

“There seems to be like a new style of diplomacy where our friends and allies in these embassies believe they should only listen to one side of the story and not listen to the other side. And the other side in this case is the government,” she said.

The minister said the government hopes this approach does not become the norm in relation to Guyana’s legislative agenda and parliamentary procedures.

She added that future engagement from diplomatic representatives should be “much more profound and respectful” on matters concerning the management of Parliament.