While some in the Government and in the Foreign Service have been privately expressing their displeasure over the backyard verbal attack on US Ambassador Brent Hardt by the Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Priya Manickchand, the Government’s Chief Spokesman, Dr. Roger Luncheon has defended the attack as a “legitimate blast”.

At his weekly post Cabinet press briefing on Friday, the Cabinet Secretary said the government was forced to act and act decisively following the remarks by the outgoing Ambassador when he criticised the President and the Government for not calling local government elections in 20 years, at a function that was hosted  the day before by the Blue Caps Organisation.

“The Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister Priya Manickchand, relying on Article 37 of the Constitution delivered a legitimate blast, a feral blast, in response to the US Ambassador”, Luncheon told media operatives.

Article 37 of the Constitution speaks of the recognition of cooperation between states and the non intervention of internal affairs by other states.

The Cabinet Secretary accused the media of being quiet about the Ambassador’s criticism of the President. Quizzed about the blistering speech that was delivered by Manickchand, Luncheon said the speech was put together by cabinet.  However, multiple Government sources have revealed to News Source, that it was Luncheon himself who wrote the speech for the Acting Foreign Minister and dumped the one that was prepared by staff of the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Manickchand has been keeping a relatively low profile since she was booed by guests at the US Ambassador’s residence during her 10 minute criticism of his concerns for local government elections in Guyana. The Political Opposition parties have described her remarks as “vulgar” and the President has been called upon to issue an apology to the US Diplomat.

The Private Sector Commission has also chastised the Donald Ramotar administration over the Priya attack. The PSC noted that there could have been better methods used to address the concerns of the government.

The US Ambassador said he felt that he was personally attacked by the Acting Foreign Affairs Minister, but noted that he is doubtful that the attack would have any impact on US/ Guyana relations.

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