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GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) - Guyana has pulled out of a U.S.-funded project designed to strengthen citizen involvement in local politics because it claims American officials want to work only with the opposition.
U.S. Ambassador Brent Hardt has been in the forefront of a lobbying campaign by some Guyana-based diplomats pushing for local government elections to be held for the first time since 1994. Hardt has said the $1.5 million U.S. project was designed to strengthen Guyana's parliament, encourage consensus and boost citizen involvement in politics.
But government spokesman Kwame McKoy said Monday that the Cabinet "rejects the project out of hand." He says the U.S. should have "absolutely no input" in how municipal affairs play out.
Last week, Guyana's government demanded the ouster of the opposition-run city council in the capital of Georgetown.
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