US Embassy distances itself from Prof. Robert Ellis’s comments

−Claims comments made before his employ with State Department

−do not reflect an official position

DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, December 10, 2019.

The US Embassy in Georgetown has distanced itself from statements one of its officers made before he was employed with the State Department.

In a release issued today, the embassy expressed regret “at any misunderstanding caused by Professor Robert Ellis’s dated comments.”

The US State Department Advisor on Latin America and Caribbean Affairs, Dr. Robert Ellis had opined, according to online news siteDemerara Waves, that the PPP/C was “likely” to win the March 2 general elections.

According to the US State Department, the comments were made in April, before the State Department employed the professor, “and in no way reflect an official position.”

“The outcome of the election is for the people of Guyana to decide. In this regard, the only interest of the United States is in free, fair and peaceful elections on March 2. The US Embassy in Guyana regrets any misunderstanding caused by Professor Robert Ellis’s dated comments.”

The Coalition Government also blasted the article which it described as “mischievous.” Professor Ellis was reported as saying that the US would have to hold a PPP administration to commitments to fight corruption and ensure transparency.

According to the coalition, the article “cherry-picked” a few words from Dr. Ellis’s 25-page report, which it then reported completely out of context.