Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Apr 06, 2011 Letters
Dear Editor:
How much further and lower will Jagdeo and the PPP take us into the land of infamy and disrepute? The latest embarrassment is the goon-like destruction by Robeson Benn, Minister of Works and Communication, of a structure at the site of the Canadian High Commission, which construction was apparently started without the architect first obtaining official approval from the authorities.
I can imagine the embarrassment all Guyanese living in Canada must be feeling now, knowing that they continue to enjoy the hospitality of their gracious host nation, while the democratically elected Government of their land of birth, Guyana, is busy tearing down a structure that was meant to enhance the physical security of our esteemed guest, the Canadians.
What is most disgusting about this sordid affair is that Jagdeo, his heir apparent Ramotar, and his government are doing this in the name of the Law of which they themselves have very little understanding, and for which they have no respect.
I support the position that we must not allow ANYONE to squat on the people’s property. And this is now more important than ever especially since the recent enactment of the Prescriptive Land Rights Bill which gives Jagdeo and the PPP the legal right to distribute land in Guyana to whomsoever, and whenever they see fit.
Nevertheless, I am sure that this matter between the Governments of Canada and Guyana could have been resolved in a civil manner. Did we have to treat our guests with such lack of courtesy and politesse? Did we have to take such crass and crude action to resolve the problem? Did we seek an explanation from the Canadians before embarking on this nationally self-diminishing escapade?
Why couldn’t we just have had the respective subject Ministers (Rodrigues and Benn), or their emissaries meet with the Canadians; discuss the matter; clarify the issues involved; seek and obtain the necessary apologies from the Canadians (Jagdeo wants everyone to apologise to him for every perceived slight!); and then move on without making ourselves look like fools once again?
I have been hearing the term “DEVELOPED” being used by some to describe the general state of the Guyanese nation/state. They have also tended to use the term in a synchronic context where they insist that the country is MORE DEVELOPED now than it has ever been at any stage of its history.
Just for clarification, are Jagdeo, the PPP and their constituents telling the rest of the Guyanese people that the instutionalising of the DRUG TRADE and LAWLESSNESS are signs of a developed society? What about the Caligula-like licentiousness that now characterises the mindset of Jagdeo and his sybarites as they discreetly indulge themselves in satisfying their lustful cravings when night begins to fall?
Is this a primary trait of the ruling elites of all developed societies as it is in the Guyanese society? The vulgar excess of four-car garages in multi-storied, multi-roomed, swimming-pooled private residences, in many cases, for one to three member families; is this necessarily a sign of development?
Can a country with an unofficial but still conservative unemployment rate of 30 per cent honestly describe itself as a developed society? Is a society developed when the government uses its parliamentary majority to impose laws and structures on the people which facilitate the rulers’ pillaging of the coffers of the state through institutionalised nepotism, graft, embezzlement and bribery?
Is a country developed when its Head of State seizes and exploits every opportunity he can create for himself and “beusses” and “cusses out” all with whomhe finds fault, including members of the international community of nations, many to whom he grovels in his state of natural mendicancy for succor, ostensibly to develop his poor people, but which proceeds he and his anti-Robin Hoods then shamelessly pocket?
Is killing hundreds of people in less than a two-year period, including national opposition activists and at least one government minister, and still not convicting anyone for these atrocities after nine years a trait of a developed society?
What about promoting the subject minister during whose tenure these atrocities occurred to a prestigious and cushy ambassadorial position (India) even though in the kangaroo Commission of Inquiry set up to look into this matter, he was for all intents and purposes implicated in the slaughter of innocents by his own words (if we are to adhere to the principle of the natural presumption of innocence until proven guilty)? What about appointing another minister to another cushy ambassadorial position, (this time Brazil), who is known for his excessive imbibing of alcoholic beverages and when in his state of inebriation, has been known to indulge in all sorts of anti-social (some may even say, violent and illegal) behaviour?
And what about retaining a minister in office even after he was implicated by evidence in a court of law in the most stable democracy in the world, the USA, where under oath, witnesses testified that the minister had been directly involved in the purchase of equipment used by Roger Khan who exposed Jagdeo and the government’s collusion in extra-judicial killings in his fight against crime in the society?
This situation with the Canadians is just the latest display of the crass manners for which Jagdeo, Ramotar, the PPP and their honorary tribal members, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, have become known.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs must make amends for this travesty in our relations with a good friend. She is capable of doing so even if her boss and his people may not know better. She is of a rich, cultural pedigree which teachings all emphasise these qualities; graciousness, generosity of spirit, gratitude to those who have helped us, respect for self and others, a civility which we must demonstrate as we interact with others, even in times of conflict.
Or is she so far removed from her roots, her primary cultural value system, that she is now bereft of those qualities which inspired her ancestors to proudly and successfully resist the invader; and is now totally under the spell and dictates of Jagdeo and the new generation of bauble-bearing (make that laptop-bearing!) oppressors of the Guyanese people?
Hubert Wong
Please share this to every Guyanese including your house cats.
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]