Rodrigues-Birkett stands by Gaza ‘genocide’ remarks

(Kaieteur News) – Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, is standing by her characterisation of Israel’s military actions in Gaza as genocide, even as her outspoken position reportedly threatens her bid to become the next UN Secretary-General.

Last month, The New York Times and regional media reported that the United States was opposed to Rodrigues-Birkett’s candidacy because of her strong criticism of Israel’s military conduct in Gaza and her use of the term “genocide”, among other foreign-policy concerns. Speaking to veteran broadcaster Laura Trevelyan on her weekly programme, The Exchange, Rodrigues-Birkett addressed reports that Washington, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, could block her candidacy. “Every word that I’ve uttered, I’ve uttered for my country and my government,” she said.

The former Foreign Affairs Minister maintained that Guyana has consistently adhered to the UN Charter and advocated peaceful solutions to international conflicts. “What I’ve seen during these last years is lots of criticism being directed to the UN, particularly because we have not been able to end and prevent conflicts. We are in a situation where we have the highest number of conflicts since World War II,” she said.