The real Burnham is hardly known

May 17, 2013 Letters

Dear Editor,
Allow me to add my two bits to the matter dealing with the suspension of the award to Forbes Burnham by the South African Administration.
First, the question of Walter Rodney’s death has again surfaced – why after all these years we have not had a full enquiry as this administration promised is another matter. But then we seem not to like inquisition, even of our very own.
So far, we have had not one bit of evidence to implicate Burnham. What is clear is this L.F.S. Burnham, thanks to friends and foes, had developed an image or reputation of being all powerful. Doubtless, Burnham was astute with ideas beyond the times. He stood tall, here and abroad, and so, in the minds of many he had near super natural powers – indeed one very senior PPP member asked me thus; truly he bestrode our world like a Colossus (Shakespeare). Any major event or incident, this giant among men, had to be responsible.
This was the environment when Walter Rodney, a man I liked and admired, met his end. At a large gathering in New York, many months after the tragic incident, two very enthusiastic persons posed the question to me, what did I know of Burnham’s involvement or direction of Walter Rodney’s assassination?
I responded by referring to the old trick question, “When did you stop beating your wife?” Next, please offer a single bit of evidence to link L.F.S. Burnham to the incident.
Did Rodney know he was in possession of something other than a walkie talkie – his colleagues claimed then that he was parked outside of the Georgetown prison to test a Walkie Talkie. If so, why did he not take a political associate, but someone he could trust, absolutely, his brother? There were no further questions at that New York meeting.
But we must do nothing to bridge the unity of progressive forces. [WPA PNC et al] to fight today’s enemy in control of the State apparatus.
Dr. David Hinds at an Election Rally happily referred to the extant political union- – let not the mischief makers make our struggle more difficult, not some letters attacking the W.P.A.
Today, we have a massive task to restore decency and democracy. I beg one and all, young and old to stay focused. Let nothing cause us to take our eyes off the ball.
David Pollard’s letter in Stabroek News, ( May 4th 2013), ‘The ruckus over the award will may be prompt more informed debate about Burnham’s legacy’ is instructive.
Forbes Burnham was a ‘passionate’ crusader against apartheid and disrespect in all of Southern Africa. He stood tall on this issue. When he proposed in Parliament an annual sum of US$50,000 some folks who may or may not be behind the effort’s to deny Burnham’s award, said, we could not afford it.
David Pollard’s letter is accurate but Burnham did so much more for Southern Africa.
At every international event with his gift of oratory, he articulated the case to end discrimination in South Africa.
When Zambia got its independence on 24th October, 1964, the colonial power, as they did in Namibia withdrew all non African staff; communication equipment disappeared, Burnham dispatched skilled Guyanese to fill the void. The late Yvonne Mboji, sister of the PNC/R leader was among the first batch. Others followed; ZANU, ZAPU and other cadres were trained at Tacama, all in the struggle against a stubborn, racist clique who had no intention of giving up power.
Wodrocphe said, “Ingratitude drieth up wells, and time bridges tell”.
I represented the Government at the Independent Celebrations of Namibia, 21st March 1990 and all of the leaders, including Nelson Mandela, were loud in their praises of this Caribbean Leader, oft times alone, in the Region, L.F.S. Burnham who never faltered nor failed to advance their quest for self determination. He championed their cause up to the time of his passing.
Let the truth prevail and our youths be made aware of all of our history.
Hamilton Green, J.P.

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