Sargeant’s views are disturbing

May 24, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,
I find the letter by Alden Sargeant (Kaieteur News 21.05.09) quite disturbing and disgraceful for someone, who I assume is a member of the PNCR.
Mr. Sargeant, in his quest to discredit Mr. Van West-Charles as a contender for the leadership of the PNCR, has now given fodder to the PPP/C to continue demonising the Father of the Nation, founder and former Leader of the PNC.

Mr. Alden asks “Can Van West Charles identify a single national project; or health policy he initiated and which positively impacted the lives of citizen?
Is Mr. Alden seriously questioning the PNC government health policy or its ability to deliver health care during the founder Leaders Presidency?

Is he implying that during the years Mr. Van West Charles served as Minister of Health, the Burnham Government did not initiate any health policies? Is Mr. Sargeant actually attempting to compare the performance of Mr. Forbes Burnham and the present leader of the PNCR?
The PNCR members and supporters can always be proud that many of its former Ministers, including Mr. Van West-Charles, were qualified and competent enough to take up senior positions within International Agencies after the PNC lost office.

This fact is proof of our Founder Leader’s ability to surround himself with persons of the highest intellect and competence. It’s a reputation I am proud of. I am happy that Mr. Sonny Ramphal, Dr. Mohamed Shahabudeen, Mr. Carl Grenidge and Dr. Richard Van West Charles, all former ministers in the PNC government, served and in two cases are serving, as senior international public servants.
It must be noted that to serve internationally, one must not only have intellect and proven competence, one also must be morally unblemished. Further I say not.
Julianne Gaul