Latest update April 24th, 2024 12:59 AM
Feb 21, 2019 Letters
Opposition Leader, Bharat Jagdeo, has expressed his concern about the lawfulness of the armed forces following orders of the Coalition Government after March 21, 2019, when the government allegedly becomes illegal.
Mr. Jagdeo sought to make clear that he was not trying to incite disobedience among members of the armed force to avoid any claim of seditious activity.
But his position is in sharp contrast to the harm done to the standing and viability of the armed forces by successive PPP/C governments.
From 1992 to 2015, the allocation to the military hovered around 1.2 % of the total budget. The use of outdated equipment became regular and necessary. The forces were rendered incapable of their security mandate including the protection of the country’s borders, waterways, and skies.
With better weaponry, criminal gangs with impunity engaged in cross border narcotic transactions, money laundering, and massive smuggling. They also killed hundreds to further their nefarious schemes.
In one notorious case, sophisticated spy equipment, which was seized by the police from associates of drug kingpin, Roger Khan, was returned to them on the express instruction of a PPP/C government minister. It is noteworthy that the equipment could only be imported into Guyana with the approval of the government and that it was not so imported for the armed forces.
For the 2019 budget, there has been almost 67% increase from the previous year. President Granger has stated that some of this money will be used to acquire drones, light aircraft, and inland patrol boats.
The PPP/C has consistently criticized these forces labeling them as supporters of the PNC, and not as protectors of Guyanese. The country, however, under the visionary leadership of President Forbes Burnham was able to preserve its territory in the New River Triangle against a belligerent Suriname, and also stayed intact by putting down a secessionist movement in Rupununi, by using a properly trained and equipped military.
Many Guyanese should be justifiable concerned about whether a Jagdeo-led PPP/C government (Irfaan Ali is but a glimmering youthful sideshow) understands the magnitude of the security needs of the country, and is then willing to assign the requisite monetary resources.
The recent history of the PPP/C’s governance and its continuing suspicion of the armed forces provide no assurance that the Party does.
Thus, Mr. Jagdeo’s expressed concern for the posture of the military after March 21 is an irony of Essequibo proportions given his demonstrated disdain, neglect, and degradation of this essential institution of a modern functioning society.
Yours faithfully,
Derrick Arjune
LISTEN HOW JAGDEO WILL MAKE ALL GUYANESE RICH!!!
Apr 24, 2024
Round 2 GFF Women’s League Division One Kaieteur Sports – The Guyana Police Force FC on Saturday last demolished Pakuri Jaguars FC with a 17 – 0 goal blitz at the Guyana Football...Kaieteur News – Just recently, the PPC determined that it does not have the authority to vitiate a contract which was... 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]