Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Aug 08, 2014 Letters
Dear Editor,
These are my intended closing statement to the WALTER Rodney Commission OF inquiry”
Mr. Chairman, I would like to make a brief closing remark. As a citizen and a political person engaged in the politics of the nation for more than four decades, I would like to offer some advice to those who now rule the country. The PPPC should learn from the PNCR as it relates to the Rodney Assassination, many in that party thought that they could live out the Rodney matter, but they were proven wrong. There are many in the PPPC who believe that as a party and government that they could live out the more than300 African men that were killed extra judicially under their watch, in circumstances well known to the nation. This is a grievous matter, it is not simply a matter between the PNCR and the PPPC, it is not simply a matter between the APNU and the PPP – this is a matter between you the rulers of the country and the African Community. My humble advice is that you have to find a politically acceptable way to deal with this matter, since it is not going to go away. We can’t have 300 commissions of inquiries. You have to find a way that is politically acceptable to the African Community and its leadership.
I wish to take this opportunity to called for commissions of inquiry for two prominent citizens; the first is Mr. Ronald Waddell, an African political and cultural leader, a defender of African rights and an outspoken critic of the government on African interest. It is public knowledge that the rulers had demonized MrWaddell, calling him ‘racist’ and ‘violent’, without providing an iota of evidence. Mr. Waddell was riddled with bullets as he entered his car in front of his home. We in the African Community had a good sense why he was killed and who the likely killers were. At the time of his execution, the ruling party and government said that the killing was regrettable. In the Roger Khan trial in a US court, evidence came out that Roger Khan and his elements carried out the execution of Mr. Waddell. All Guyana know of the close relationship between Roger Khan and the Jagdeo regime at the time. It will be in the interest of the PPPC to have a commission of inquiry to clear its name on the heinous crime.
The next person I am calling for a commission of inquiry is for the PPPC Government Minister, Mr Sadeo Shaw. This government functionary was executed when gunmen invaded his home shot him and members of his household. At the time of the killing, without the benefit of police investigation, the ruling party and government accused elements in the African Community as being responsible. Evidence soon surfaced that raised questions about the regime’s contention. Mr. Shaw‘s relatives are on record of accusing the government of engaging in a “cover-up”. It will be in the interest of the PPPC to have a commission of inquiry to clear its name. I wish to support the Shaw s in their struggle for justice.
I call on President Donald Ramotar to demonstrate leadership on these matters – to lead and not to be lead.
Permit me to address two Guyanese women: the first to Ms Palma Beharry, an ordinary Indian woman, a working class Guyanese woman with no political affiliation, who in 1980, soon after she learnt that the government and the leadership of the army were denying the existence of Gregory Smith. came forward and refuted the “big Lie.”
She said that she knew Smith personally and that Smith was a real person who lived at the place stated by Donald Rodney, and he was in fact a serving member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) employed at the Marine Wing of the Army. The information she provided was known to many men both in the area that Smith lived in Charlestown and where he worked but no “man” had the backbone to come forward and speak out – it took a woman to do so. Sister, you have made your people proud, you have made Guyanese women proud. We in the WPA are indebted to you. If there is any star witness in this matter, you are that witness.
The next woman I wish to address is the daughter of the first, Executive President of Guyana, Mr Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham. In the controversy over whether Burnham should receive the Oliver Tambo Award, I read that you said that there should be a commission of inquiry to resolve the matter of Rodney’s assassination, and you are prepared to accept the findings. When I read your position, I said once again it is a woman who is showing the way forward. Sister, you represent the future. Let me say to you that I hold no animosity against any member or members of the Burnham family. I have long forgiven your father for any wrong he had done to me. As an African People, the politics of hate has no place in our political relation. As an African People, the politics of hate has no place in our political relations with other ethnic communities in the country. The politics of hate has no place in the political relations among civilized people. Sister, you are not responsible for anything your father had done – move on.
To the Rodney family, the fact that we are having this commission of inquiry is in itself a major victory,- this Commission has restored Walter‘s humanity, this Commission has restored dignity to Walter. I want to say to you that I had no doubt that the party would have found a way to honour its commitment to Walter and you the family and our responsibility to the nation. Your expectations of this commission of inquiry are the same as we in the WPA. It is my hope that at the end of this process, you the family would have closure after 34 years.
To the parties in the 9th parliament, I want to recognise the motion you passed to make this inquiry possible in spite of the unprecedented refusal of the ruling part to support its own motion. It is important that I mentioned the role of then PNCR Leader Mr Robert Corbin in giving the support of his party for a commission of inquiry.
To the parties in the 10th parliament (the present parliament) both majority and minority, as a citizen I support the unanimous approval of money voted to fund the work of this commission of inquiry, and I appeal to you to fund the process to the end, in spite of known differences on this matter. You took the correct decision. Let me remind the nation of an important point that Mr, Eusi Kawyana made when he gave his evidence in this commission of inquiry. He pointed out that this inquiry should be seen as an important struggle to re-establish the “right to life” in the governance of the country. I call on all Guyanese at home and aboard to support this appeal to put moral, legal and political pressure on those who have power now, and those who may have power in the future, to ensure that this abuse of power stop in our country.
To the lawyers on both sides I must say that your participation in the work of this inquiry has enhanced the work of the commission. It was a privilege to work with you.
Commission Chairman, and commissioners, at times I might have caused you difficulties, you have shown understanding and I appreciated your tolerance. This is the first commission of inquiry that I participated in and I will take this experience to the world of the ancestors. Let me say to you that you should not be deterred by the often pseudo- nationalism that surfaced in this inquiry. Colonialism is still alive and well in many quarters – we are a Caribbean people –We are a Caribbean Nation. It was a pleasure working with you. And I am looking forward for your findings. Thank you.
Tacuma Ogunseye
Where is the BETTER MANAGEMENT/RENEGOTIATION OF THE OIL CONTRACTS you promised Jagdeo?
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