Now we understand the making of Pradoville 1 and Pradoville 2

Sep 18, 2011 Letters

---

 

Dear Editor,
The recent revelations coming out of Wikileaks continue to embarrass all law- abiding and decent Guyanese. Never mind the government’s mouthings about hearsay.
The alleged corruption, the relationship between the government of Guyana and criminal elements in the narcotics trade, the linkages between high government officials and Roger Khan and the host of other putrefying and frightening dark activities of the government make it very clear why Guyana remains backward and the joke of the Caribbean.
Two serious questions arise, why were we, Guyanese, betrayed so bitterly by the government of Guyana and the United States of America? Why was Guyana allowed to go into moral decline during the years of the PPP Government under the incumbent President Bharrat Jagdeo?
The President of this country, MPs, and other constitutional, statutory officers, including the Commissioner of Police, swore upon the Holy book, to execute their duties according to the constitution.
However, judging from the information from those leaked cables, their swearing and rhetoric was a big sham. Instead of upholding the constitution and the rights of all Guyanese to respect, decency, protection and prosperity, they made us the most embarrassing spectacle in this part of the world. No wonder we are treated so shabbily by our Caribbean neighbours and friends.
Imagine the ABC countries were forced to approach President Bharrat Jagdeo and implore him not to appoint the now sitting Commissioner of Police because of his involvement with narco- traders.
The President should have known, even without the information from those countries, because he has the state with all its intelligence capabilities, at his disposal. He cannot plead ignorance to such information.
Yet the President went ahead with this appointment. It seemed not to have dawned on him that he was seriously compromising the integrity of the Guyana Police Force and the national reputation of the country.
It appeared not to have dawn on him that he was compromising the security of all Guyanese by appointing the person fingered by members of the international community as benefitting from the takings of drugs barons to the top security position of this country.  Even the revocation of the Commissioner’s visa, which the President integrated, did not stop the President from appointing Mr. Henry Greene.
Perhaps, he thought that such a move would have given him more control over the Commissioner and by extension the Police Force. Perhaps it did but it also compromised both the President and the Commissioner.  It impacted negatively on the security of our nation.
Guyanese are made to struggle every day to eke out a living while their leaders cozy up with drug lords who continue to hurt the socio, economic and psychological wellbeing of this country and its citizens.
Now we can understand why some politicians with small salaries can afford large multi- million dollar houses in gated communities, and luxury vehicles without investigation by the Guyana Revenue Authority or the Integrity Commission. Now we understand the making of Pradoville 1 and Pradoville 2. It is a shame.
Clearly, we were betrayed by a Government that was elected to serve all Guyanese. Instead they comprised the interest of law abiding Guyanese by protecting the interest of those who are crippling our legitimate economy through narco- trafficking. They have created a serious democratic deficit.
Also, the United States of America knew about the corruption, and the linkages between the Government of Guyana and criminal elements. Ambassador Ronald Bullen  and other US Officials, made clear their observations, views and opinions on what was happening here.
Still, the United States of America, that big and powerful nation did nothing to stem this moral decline of Guyana. Instead, they give more financial assistance – grants and loans- to the government- a form of tacit support to them.
I know the question of sovereignty will arise, but history is littered with cases where America acted in the interest of the safety and welfare of people rather than prop-up evil regimes. Sovereignty could never supersede the human rights of citizens to be safe, to be free and to pursue their dreams in peace and in a democratic society. Otherwise the war in Iraq would not have happened and Allied Forces would not be fighting in Afghanistan.  We have all been betrayed.
Now, we have the opportunity to do something about a government that has put us through what must go down as the worst period of our history in Guyana.
This PPP must never be allowed to ever lead this country again. If they are allowed to regain power then they will bring this country to complete ruin, and history and our children would judge us harshly. Let us unite and put them out of office. Guyana we can do better!
True Guyanese

---

---