Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jun 01, 2014 Letters
Dear Editor,
The Ramotar administration is engaging is much scare mongering on this anti-money laundering issue and have failed to effectively level with the people. The international body, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has made it publicly clear that publication of CFATF statements “does not constitute official endorsement by FATF”. Yet the Ramotar administration continues to peddle the gross untruth that Guyana has been blacklisted internationally. Where is the evidence of this statement from FATF? These people at FATF are not idiots, they are well aware of the unique situation that Guyana has found itself and they know the issue needs time, leadership and maturity. Unfortunately the PPP can only offer immaturity and fear politics. Expect solutions? NO!
Having said that there are three important facets to this whole issue that the AFC and APNU have miserably failed on all counts:
1. The facts – they have not effectively disseminated the information on the real facts. The PPP propaganda machinery has turned the truth on its head and they continue to make conceited and arrogant statements such as demanding “unconditional passage” of the amendments to the anti-money laundering laws without leveling with the people. The AFC has maintained its principled position of tying the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission to the passage of the amendments. One of the primary vehicles of money laundering in Guyana is the public procurement system; you cannot repair the ailment unless you address the cause. The APNU on the other hand continues to advocate for the strengthening of the amendments to make the FIU more autonomous with greater powers; again nothing can be argued against this just position. The AFC and APNU should score full marks for acting very patriotic on this issue against a most unreasonable and unrighteous PPP Government.
So how come the dominant message coming out of Guyana on this issue remains that the actions of the majority opposition are anti-national and anti-patriotic? The PR Team of both the AFC and APNU have done a great disservice to their parties on this issue and really need to do some serious introspection of their work to assess how effective they are at messaging.
2. The messaging – most of the leaders in the AFC and APNU really need to do a crash course with former Minister of Information, Mr. Moses Nagamootoo as their guru on this entire concept of messaging. Mind you Prakash Ramjattan and Joe Harmon have been stars at their messaging. However, they are only three among 33 voices. Whenever I read or listen to people like Winston Felix and even the Leader of the Opposition, David Granger, regardless of how brilliant they are, it is time to go to sleep. They and many others on the opposition benches have mastered the art of telling bedtime stories and running around the mull-berry bush on the real issues. This is a political battlefield, there is no time for political sermons. I honest believe that Mr. David Granger can have a more battle ready message which has to be backed up by real sharp and disciplined street action. His people are really letting him down.
3. The spin – well no one in that 10th Parliament beats Clement James Rohee and Roger Forbes Luncheon for the political spin, I tip my hat to them. No one can hear a word from the General Secretary of the PNC; he has been missing in action for years now. The General Secretary of the AFC is youthful and thus he should have the energy to step up his messaging and spin. Politics is not “Sunday school” but it appears that the petit-bourgeois who dominates the political opposition really think they got elected to the collective leadership of these parties for sandwich and high tea. Politics is vicious and it has much spin and unfortunately only the PPP continue to effectively practice their spin to good effect since 2011. Only fools in politics would want not to engage in spin; it is mandatory and everyone is doing it, the Obamas, the Modis, the Clintons, the Millibands and so on. However, the Guyanese political opposition really thinks they will win elections by being political alter-boys. Good luck to them.
Only on May 30th, 2014, much respected spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar used his platform to effectively speak the facts, did his messaging and applied the appropriate spin on an issue of principle – his message “Modi has been bashed unjustly for years and years..” Here is a divine soul who lives a life of truth and who is a Guru to hundreds of millions of people, stepping out into the public on a matter of principle. His righteous message was against the unrighteous political elite in India who believes their opinion is the only Indian opinion. There is no room for the opinions of the “dalits”, other backward caste, and the youths. His interview if one reads it carefully has information, messaging and spin.
Let the political alter-boys in Guyana continue, they will remain as an opposition for all their life if they do not wake up soon to political reality. This is war and yes, the war is not over until the voice of the majority is listened to in Guyana.
Sase Singh
Where is the BETTER MANAGEMENT/RENEGOTIATION OF THE OIL CONTRACTS you promised Jagdeo?
Apr 19, 2024
SportsMax – West Indies Women’s captain Hayley Matthews delivered a stellar all-round performance to lead her team to a commanding 113-run victory over Pakistan Women in the first One Day...Kaieteur News – For years, the disciples of Bharrat Jagdeo have woven a narrative of economic success during his tenure... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]