Guyana’s interests, who prioritizes

I am struggling with a problem.  I am still trying to decide whether our leaders have a medical problem, an Exxon problem, or an American problem.  I think that it’s a blending of all those problems.  It is to such an extent that they have all become a problem of crisis proportions to themselves.

They can point to Venezuela and the renewal of Chevron’s license to operate there by the US Government, and brilliantly conclude that American will always take care of its interests.  A duplication of the obvious, or a no brainer declaration?  Make a selection, and then add this trailer.  Parroting US secretary of state, Henry Kissinger, “America has no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests.”  Kissinger may have reached into the archives for England’s Lord Palmerston, and “Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and those interests it is our duty to follow.”

I say bravo for America and its interests.  All Guyanese should take careful note in Kissinger’s nuanced and far-reaching insertion “no permanent…enemies”.  Too often, that is given short thrift, or forgotten altogether.  I urge all, that in thinking of Chevron (USA) and Venezuela, think of Guyana and Venezuela.  In the great mix of oil and politics and geostrategic interests, Guyana could find itself left out in the cold, lost in the shuffle.  I point to another obvious: 11 billion barrels are 11 billion barrels.  But so much more is involved with 300 billion barrels, plus all the other commercial extras that are part of that grand marching band.  The Arabs can suck their oil and sand.  The Middle East can sink in the sea.  Except Jerusalem, of course.  Yesterday it was Chevron in Venezuela.  And yesterday, it was also Chevron and Exxon right here in Guyana.  I take the bold leap and extend the arc and close that circle in Caracas.  I like happy endings, done with nimbleness and neatness.  And the benefit of a gentle nudge with a sledgehammer to get everybody on the same page, same line.  Just sign on the dotted line, damnit.

Interests!  Interests!  Interests!  Powerful.  Permanent.  What about Guyana’s interests?  Why am I not hearing anything about that dog from anyone?  I spare the US ambassador.  I give the Exxon Country Head (and the men in the Texas High Command) a breather.  Where is the PPP, PNC, AFC, WIN regarding Guyana’s interests?  First and full in the face.  No tricks, no gimmicks.  The PPP says that the man from WIN is a Maduro man.  Which man is the PPP of Jagdeo, Nandlall et all for, been all along and unapologetically?  Regarding Guyana’s interests, they are not even secret agents anymore for the US and Exxon, but very public ones and very proud of it.  It explains why Guyana’s interests (to that crew) are always like those shadowy characters that Guyanese call ‘sweet woman and sweet man.’  Kept quietly and safely hidden away, and then spoken of in whispers among friends with a wink and a nod.

Now try this crown of thorns, fellow Guyanese, whether PPP, PNC, WIN, whoever.  Sooner than later, America and Venezuela are going to iron out their differences.  Recall that slice of sly wisdom from Kissinger: “no permanent enemies”.  Recall also those 300 billion incentives, no matter how heavy or tricky to fragment and then rearrange the molecules.  Then what, folks?  Where does that leave Guyanese?  I know.  Counting their losses, yet again; lamenting being jilted again.  The PPP gets to count its big vat of cash, and come up with another big barrel of cons to mislead the people again.  So much for Guyanese interests.

What is it that America and Exxon have done to Guyanese politicians?  I believe that they took away a part of their body, that part just above their knees.  I discern how the US took away their hearts, minds.  With all those gone, their mouths followed the same route.  Not one word about Guyana’s interests; how much they will fight to make them materialize.

What did these leaders do to themselves, to bring them to this helpless state?  They don’t want to talk about oil.  They don’t like to mention Exxon. But they don’t hesitate to tell Guyanese all that they will do for them after elections.  They are not doing anything today, but now saying how much they will do for them next year.  Do these chaps really believe that Guyanese are that stupid?  Or that they will stay stupid forever?  They may not have a brain, but Guyanese do, one that is not owned by anybody.

What is this masquerade, mystery, going on here?  Did Exxon (America) cast a spell on all of them?  So, why do look and sound like some spirit surgically removed their marbles?  Thus, went Guyana’s interests.  Thus, I think; this I believe.