Latest update April 25th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jul 07, 2008 Letters
DEAR EDITOR,
The fact that the United States Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) department conveyed to the Government of Guyana their decision not to provide forensic scientific assistance for the Lindo Creek tragedy, it would be reasonably expected that the Government swiftly engages in plan B.
From all indications, plan B would be to acquire the services of Forensic Scientific Service (FSS), the U.K-based team recommended by the relatives of the slaughtered miners and their legal team.
The relatives, lawyers and all others must be congratulated for having the courage, strength and willingness to go this extra mile to assist the Government in ensuring that justifiable answers are given regarding these most cruel killings. It has been almost three weeks since these miners were slaughtered and families and the entire Guyanese community anxiously await answers, so we cannot overstate or overemphasise the fact that serious and dangerous allegations abound regarding who might be responsible for these deaths.
Further, we must respect the fact that “time is of the essence” in this case, a reservation expressed by the United States authorities as a consideration for not being able to offer forensic help.
The Government must therefore be reminded that, as time continues to elapse between the killings and the time forensic studies are conducted, more claims of “compromised evidence” are likely to give rise to major public debate.
And given the state of security affairs in Guyana, coupled with the distrust between the citizenry and the security, we cannot afford such claims to fester, as these may have a tendency to cast more strain in the relationship between the people and security forces, thereby making the fight against crime even more challenging.
I believe, given the circumstances, the Government should, as a matter of urgency, pursue the already explored and solicited services from the U.K-based group (FSS) and avoid any further time lapse.
For the Government to announce that, having been turned down by the U.S, it will now engage in a process to solicit help from CARICOM is disheartening, discouraging and mind boggling. It is unbelievable that, with such tragic deaths and worrying accusations levelled against the Government regarding its possible role or involvement in same, the Executive would have failed to simultaneously seek expert assistance from renowned entities involved in forensic work. What is equally discouraging is the fact that the Government seems not to be too concerned over the fact that their apparent lack of intention to swiftly bring some closure to this “horror story” will continue to haunt families of those slain and all of Guyana.
It will also advance the suspicion theory which clearly affects the image of the administration. Let us not forget that there are still allegations of torture by the Joint Services, of which the findings are yet to be revealed to the public. To treat the Lindo Massacre with the same level of “suspicious slowness” may confirm in some their greatest fear.
The families have gone the length to solicit help, and it is only fair that the Guyana authority embraces and supports their initiative. We cannot waste any more time in failing to provide answers to the nation on this most incomprehensible crime.
Husbands were slaughtered, fathers were slain, breadwinners were executed, brothers and uncles were murdered, human beings were brutally hacked, burnt and shot to death; yet, in spite of these horrors, the Government seems to be “pussy footing”.
It’s time those in authority work assiduously to put closure to these killings by asserting the facts. Guyanese have been suffering from this cancer of crime and unsolved mystery for too long. The Government must work to acquire the services of the Forensic Science Service (FSS) and demonstrate its seriousness in wanting to solve the Lindo Creek murders.
At the same time, all efforts must continue to seek additional expert help from CARICOM and elsewhere. There can never be too much help, especially in the case of crime and Guyana.
I trust that, in this matter, good sense prevails on the part of the Government.
May God continue to strengthen us in these times of tremendous trials!
Lurlene Nestor
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