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Dear Editor,
As we observe the 55th year of Independence, I expect that our leaders, our political parties, religious organizations, Industry & Commerce ponder why we have not yet been truly free and liberated as a people, free from the mental chains by those who set out to dominate and control us.
We were all brought to Guyana in different ships and different circumstances. Our indigenous people were not spared with the onslaught of imperialism, when they were utilized to hunt and return to the plantation run-a-way slaves.
This is the Guyana we live in and this is the Guyana, we must seek to change. This anniversary should remind us how lucky we are. A place with even climatic conditions and no natural disasters, such as hurricanes, volcanoes, etc.
Recently, our political directorate on both sides of the house seem consumed, if not obsessed with this question on Constitutional Reform, the adjustments to electoral laws and systems. Whatever minor adjustments to the above may be necessary, it will not deal with the core issues that have for generations been a burden on the backs of this nation.
It is the need for unity, understanding and compassion.
Indeed, listening to a top Government official last week, we were told of the processes to effectuate changes in our electoral system and how useful the input of the IRI will be, and the response by the Opposition.
Both sides are either unaware of our past experiences or have a delight in what will be no more than a “pappy-show,” a waste of money, time and perhaps to some, a diversion away from the gut issues.
As we embrace another year of Independence, our collective energies should be directed to ensuring that our leaders set aside their petty differences, set aside their pride, put down their pomposity and seek divine guidance so that all of our political leaders can have a change of heart and therefore put in place the lofty words, which we heard about a One Guyana and which will be repeated laboriously during this week of Independence.
Unless that change takes place so that our leaders have a sense of justice and decency and are genuine patriots, no amount of adjustments of the Constitution and Electoral laws will solve our deep-seated inherited problems.
Unless we understand that as a people, we are still centuries later a product and may I add the shared victims of an imperial philosophy, which in spite of the adjustments and many wars represents the philosophical underpinnings of the super-powers with mighty armies and sophisticated communication technology.
Our good sense should tell us that we must try to understand that the interest of the super-powers will always be a dominant factor.
These factors in a country with enormous natural resources, 83,000 sq miles and less than a million souls should compel our leaders as we mark Independence it is to realize that the only way forward is for us to engage in civil and sensible dialogue, so that we present a strong united front to the powers that be.
This by itself, will allow us to get a better deal for our people, allowing this and succeeding generations to be the beneficiaries of our bounteous resources.
I am an optimist and still hope that in spite of recent public statements, all sides of the political divide will put an end to the tirade of accusing the other of all sorts of improprieties. On this score, let me remind them of the words of Jesus of Nazareth, when he told the group about to stone the harlot to death “he who is without sin, cast the first stone.”
I would like to line up the current leaders of the PNC, PPP, AFC WPA, JP and even our bare bottom brother and pose the question, Jesus posed and see if any of them can throw a stone. I’ll give just a few examples of this convenient memory and naivety our political leaders in dealing with foreign powers and agencies.
When will we understand that the best way to extract maximum benefits from those who come to invest and in particular the harvesting of the non-renewable resources, is for us not to talk about but to be truly One Guyana, where we try to fulfill the dream of being One People with One Destiny.
A phenomenon noticeable everywhere is the failure of leaders to learn from experiences and to recognize the old adage that in unity there is strength.
I am saddened when all of our leaders, I repeat all, behave like urchins looking down and not looking ahead, particularly in dealing with the outside world.
Some examples are necessary – Dr. Jagan in his book The West on Trial, accuses the West or the new term , the ABCE countries of doing him an injustice. Of course, he ignored the dynamics of the Cold War.
During the oil crisis and struggles at the United Nations and elsewhere, the PNC adopted a similar stance.
Recently, the PPP Leadership on the eve of the departure of a United States Ambassador, and to celebrate an important United States anniversary, the PPP representative gave what those of us who were present can describe as a fine busing, cussing out the American Administration and the Ambassador.
It was so uncharacteristic at a Diplomatic function, that even one PPP Top Brass, I spoke with expected an apology the following day. Not so, on behalf of the Government, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon described the verbal attack as a “Ferrel Blast.”
In the 80s and 90s, secret quiet talks were going on to engage in certain adjustments, since both Dr. Jagan and Forbes Burnham, as they told us, recognized that the winner take all or the dominance of one political group over the other could not work in the interest of Guyanese.
After Burnham’s unexpected demise in August 1985, I tried to reignite this laudable project. For reasons best known to himself, President Desmond Hoyte and Leader of the PNC was hostile to such a project.
When the PNC Leader with the support of so-called civil society and the PPP engaged the Carter Centre I felt then, arguing that our culture and experiences were alien to them and they could not be of real help.
I expressed my strong objection insisting that if our Independence is still meaningful, we must be able to sit and talk, and talk and talk to find a happy modus Vivendi. I have since apologised for referring to Mr. Hoyte as a “school-boy.” The rest is history.
Another issue seemed to be a belief by all of our political parties that the Courts and the Judiciary can solve what are essentially political issues. This I argued is a monumental mistake. Political issues must be settled at the political level.
In 1961, the PNC Candidate, was successful in the election petition, the Court ordered that a bi-election be held.
Between 1961 and 1964, the Government failed to comply with the Court Order. End of story. Recently, I heard from the PPP Top Brass, accusing Ms. Amanza Walton-Desir, of making racial statements.
I have looked at her original statement and her very erudite response, yet last week, she is being accused of racial slurs and there is nothing racial in her statement.
On the other hand, President Ali, in his Indian Arrival Greetings ignored the circumstances under which the Africans arrived in Guyana.
In fairness to President Ali, he immediately corrected his error and those of us who are offended, gracefully saw this as the end of the matter.
Not so, in the case of Ms. Walton’s statement, which was not egregious as Ali’s. but seems unforgivable and is being continually used to fan the flames of racism.
Last week, there were two issues which begged the question – Are we committed to the policy of One Guyana?
As is becoming the norm, five senior Police Officers, of one grouping were hauled before the Courts.
No further comment is needed at this time.
In Guyana, very few businesses owned by certain Guyanese have been successful.
The Government picked up Cevons Waste Mgt., Car Care and Courtney Benn
I happened to be aware of certain aspects when I was Mayor for one of the three firms and to the best of my knowledge there was neither impropriety nor illegality.
But last week, the Government Rep announces that they will not be proceeding with charges, so here we have it, certain business and persons are being reduced to not only being as Dr. Jagan once said – “At the bottom of the ladder,” but to have the fear of the new Massa.
And so these entities must now live with a sword of Damocles, hanging over their heads.
I can hear the brother of these businesses, saying to the powers that be, the words found in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, “Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world. Like a Colossus, and we petty men, Walk under his huge legs and peep about To find ourselves dishonourable graves.”
These are some of the issues that we must ponder as we observe our Independence anniversary and be reminded as one Philosopher said the word “change” designates one of the most conspicuous and most pervasive features of our sensory and introspective experience.
To penetrate the thick fabric of arrogance and self-destructive attitudes, we need change among the leadership of all our parties and so-called civil society.
Perhaps, we should follow the path of United States of America, when we see today, a female being the Vice-President. Looking around the political parties, I note, females of great potential in all of our political parties and perhaps, we must stop suffocating them and allow them to use their inborn creative energies in the frontline of national affairs and maybe, we men can take leave for a little while, since collectively we have made a mess of things. A thoughtful Independence Anniversary and may we educate our young people, so that they can agitate to make Guyana the best place in the world where all are truly liberated.
Regards
Hamilton Green