Monday, January 15, 2007

The main opposition party said Friday it is planning large demonstrations to
protest a new sales tax and legislation that would allow limited gambling in
Guyana.
Aubrey Norton, a lawmaker from the People's National Congress, said the
party was appealing for people to swarm Georgetown's commercial center and
block roads leading to the capital next week in a two-day protest. The
administration of President Bharrat Jagdeo introduced a bill in parliament
Thursday that would allow a few yet-to-be-built hotels to qualify for
gambling licenses. The ruling party expects its majority will approve the
bill, which could allow gambling in hotels near a new stadium being readied
for the 2007 cricket World Cup. Opponents argue drug traffickers and
organized crime could gain more power in the South American country by
exerting influence over casinos. The country lacks the regulatory and
judicial systems needed to oversee the gambling industry, they argue.
"It is clear to us that we are heading for chaos," Norton said. "The
legislation is being tailored solely for friends of the government." Only
foreigners would be permitted to wager in proposed casinos, but religious
groups have argued the measure would encourage vice. Protesters outside
parliament Thursday carried signs that said casino gambling increases
poverty and hurts families. Norton said opposition parties are also outraged
by confusion surrounding a new 16 percent sales tax, which was designed to
replace a more complex tax scheme when it took effect Jan. 1. Despite
government assurances that prices would fall in many cases, vendors and
supermarkets have applied the tax to exempted items, leading to cost
increases for food and other items.