Georgetown, GINA, January 28, 2004

In light of fresh speculations with regard to the reason for the recent revocation of the Canadian diplomatic visa of Home Affairs Minister, Ronald Gajraj, the Kaieteur News today attributed pronouncements on the issue to a source within the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
However, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rudy Insanally has issued a disclaimer to the invented news article. “The story does not speak for the Foreign Ministry,” the Minister stated. He added, “Officially, we have not speculated about the cause or the issue surrounding the revocation.”
During an interview with the Government Information Agency, Minister Insanally said that on January 23, 2004, his Ministry received a notification from the Canadian High Commission with regard to the intended revocation of Minister Gajraj’s visa.
Following the notification, the Foreign Ministry sought in writing to obtain an explanation from the Canadian High Commission, noted Minister Insanally.
This was with a view to making the reasons public so as avoid speculation, the Foreign Minister said, so as to quell public perception that the revocation represented a sanction against the Minister for some form of wrongdoing.
Minister Insanally said he subsequently learned that the Canadian legislation does not provide for an explanation unless asked for by the person directly concerned.
In this vein, “ The Minister has now signified his willingness and this is being communicated to the Canadian authorities,” stated the Foreign Minister. He said further, “ We hope that this will come to a point where the speculations and rumours will be put to some rest.”
Touching on the recent refusal of the US Embassy to grant a diplomatic visa to Minster of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation, Clement Rohee, Mr. Insanally said no further communication has been received from the US authorities.
He opined that the two issues bear no similarities, but he pointed out that rumours certainly do not help the country. “We ought to make an effort collectively as a nation to seek the truth, to avoid speculations and remove misperceptions,” said Minister Insanally.
The current rumours are causing the unnecessary creation of a negative image in the international public for Guyana, Mr.Insanally observed.
He acknowledged the need for improved security in the international scenario to reduce instances of trans-boundary crime and drug trafficking, but alluded to the unintended costs new restrictions are posing for small countries like Guyana.
The Minister expressed hope that security arrangements will become less burdensome for trade and economic advances.