Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jan 22, 2015 Letters
DEAR EDITOR,
It is both interesting and perplexing that some people are speaking of coalition government or unity government as if the concept is new to Guyanese politics. It is incumbent that those who know different help to educate the nation and help to set Guyana’s history right. In setting this record straight we will be able to understand and appreciate that Guyana’s history cannot be accurately accounted for if we negate the roles of Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham.
Quite comically the PPP/C and its cronies believe that, for some strange reason, Burnham’s role in shaping a modern Guyana and his contribution to nation-building must be denied. I recall the insipid move the regime made to tear Burnham’s portrait from the halls of President’s College. This was one of the most blatant acts to disregard Burnham’s legacy and to rob our children of the truth about their school. However, the students and their teachers stood up to the tyrants, who have never forgiven them and continue to ostracize that school.
However, truths are stubborn facts. So, in examining the whole concept of coalition government, we must know and acknowledge that Burnham and the PNC made numerous attempts at forging a government of national unity.
We are reminded of the 1964 PNC and UF coalition which came to fruition as a result of the work of Burnham and Peter D’Aguiar, this collaboration led to the formation of a government. History will also inform us that Burnham and Cheddi Jagan also made numerous attempts to realize a united government. Their aim, I believe, was to put country and people first.
I must admit that I did not know the depth of their efforts in this regard until I listened to a tribute to Burnham, which was delivered by former PNCR leader Robert Corbin. This tribute was delivered on August 6th 2011 at the National Congress of Women’s annual public forum to mark Burnham’s death anniversary. In his presentation, Corbin highlighted the numerous times Burnham and Jagan met to discuss and negotiate how they could work together to form a united government.
Corbin recalled that one of Burnham and Jagan’s most successful efforts, in this regard, came to a disappointing end when Janet Jagan and her senior PPP backers walked out on Cheddi Jagan as he was preparing to sign the “unity document” agreement with Burnham.
According to Corbin, who was Burnham’s note taker at the meeting, it was the first time he had seen his leader visibly dejected, as this was a moment Burnham had longed for. Corbin stated that it was at that point that Burnham noted that Cheddi Jagan was not necessarily the leader of the PPP, as clearly Janet Jagan seemed to have been the one calling the shots.
According to Corbin, having witnessed this unfortunate situation, he was asked by Burnham not to utter one word of what transpired on that fateful day. Clearly, Burnham wanted to protect Cheddi’s image and reputation. Corbin stated that he consented to his leader’s wishes. He informed the audience that his decision to disclose the details was owing to the fact that all the main players; Burnham, Cheddi and Janet Jagan, had all passed on.
He told those in attendance that former Home Affairs Minister and PPP Central Executive Committee Member Feroze Mohammed was Jagan’s note taker at that very meeting. According to Corbin, he had asked Mohammed to join with him in issuing a joint statement on the matter, in order that Guyana’s history would be accurately recorded.
During his presentation he reiterated that request, publicly calling on Mr. Mohammed to join with him in setting Guyana’s history straight. I am hoping that Mr. Mohammed, whom I have great respect for, will accept Corbin’s invitation and let our young people know of the efforts made by past leaders to forge a united government.
Burnham and the PNC’s quest for a government of national unity did not end with that major setback, however, the event can be noted as one of Burnham’s last major pushes on that front, before he passed on. The PNC nevertheless continued to push forward for such a unity government.
I recall several General Council Meetings and Congresses, during the Hoyte era, when the issue of shared governance was a hot button topic. The concept and push for shared governance clearly is connected to the PNC’s ingrained quest to promote national unity.
As I write I visualize party groups, the youth and women’s arms, all engaged in heated discussions on the pros and cons of such an arrangement. At party regional conferences the matter was further discussed and positions arrived at and forwarded to the general secretary for discussion at the higher levels.
After all these meetings, internal debates and discussions on the issue, the party’s final position was that it would embrace the concept of shared governance and work towards realizing such a government. I must note here that processes like these are never easy, since almost every member usually has his/her own position to articulate.
However, in my view these proceedings and intense deliberations reflect democracy at work. At the end of the process there might be people who may still hold on to a minority position but at the end of the day the views of the majority of the members are respected.
Note that also during the Hoyte era the PNC saw a name change as the party sought to advance its agenda of inclusivity and national unity. So, under Hugh Desmond Hoyte, PNC was renamed the PNCR, another well discussed change. The fact that the PNC was a decades-old party with a strong identifiable base, massive political influence and extensive reach throughout Guyana made the discussions even more intense.
These characteristics were deemed by some members as important facts to be considered, before attempting a name change. However, at the end of the day the overriding concern was centred on “country first.” It was all about the bigger picture, that of putting Guyana and its people first. Every decision in the evolution of the PNC was made with that single objective in mind. Party paramountcy and protecting party’s image or identity took a back seat to national interest.
I must applaud the leadership and members of the PNCR in leading the evolutionary process in Guyanese politics. You must be proud of your party and your accomplishments. It is because of your relentless effort to transform and advance Guyanese politics that the nation is at a stage where the majority of our citizens understand and appreciate the idea and value of a coalition government.
I have argued, and am yet to be proven wrong, that the most democratic and forward thinking political entity in current day Guyana is the PNCR. Yes, like any progressive and dynamic organization we will have differences of opinions internally, but that in no way must diminish the fact that the PNCR is the vanguard political party in Guyana.
Our internal differences are a demonstration that we subscribe to democratic principles and values. However, it is important that we continue to be responsible as we exercise those democratic rights, as there are always those waiting on the fringes to exploit a genuine and legitimate issue.
I urge the PNCR to continue to lead the way in transforming the local political landscape, your contribution to this cause is invaluable. History will inform us that you are the party with the experience, knowledge and genuine quest to promote national unity in Guyana. It is therefore, fitting that you use that experience to continue to lead any coalition, or democracy movement aimed at returning good governance to Guyana.
Let’s endorse A Partnership for National Unity as the next government and get things in Guyana moving in the right direction – if only for our children. History will judge us harshly if we allow this opportunity to protect and promote their welfare, slip from our grip.
The PPP/C has demonstrated that it has no respect for the Guyanese people. What then are we prepared to do in 2015 to ensure that we replace them? The election date has been announced; time to stop the shenanigans and advance the campaign to restore Guyanese pride and dignity.
Lurlene Nestor
Please share this to every Guyanese including your house cats.
Apr 19, 2024
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