Give reconciliation a chance

Jul 06, 2008 Features / Columnists, Freddie Kissoon

It is absolutely meaningless to say that the PNC or the combined opposition or the private media should seek reconciliation with the government when reconciliation to be successful has to start with those who have power.

The government has enormous power as we see in the freeing of Mark Benschop, the suspension of the CNS licence, and the Sanata divestment. If the process of cooperation is to slowly change the face of politics in this country, then it has to start with the government.

What can the opposition do to make Guyanese believe that a climate of peace will endure? Of course the opposition can stop berating the government so that its supporters would not continue to harbour contempt and hate for the government.

In all fairness to Mr. Corbin, when he succeeded Mr. Hoyte, his reign was extremely passive until this year. One of the reasons why the PNC and Mr. Rickford Burke were so harsh on the Stabroek News editorial of May 18 that castigated the PNC street marches was because it was palpably unfair. The very Stabroek News had previously editorialized on the silence and inactivity of the opposition.

In one editorial it pointed to the government doing what it wanted and asked where the opposition was. One could easily understand the anger directed at that May 18 viewpoint.

Even if the PNC and AFC reorganize their strategy and seek a harmonious discourse with the government, how will that translate into hope among the citizens? The population is looking for a profound change in the nature of governance.

Though a majority of citizens would back an all inclusive Cabinet, they would be content with a more transparent, accommodating and democratic government.

It is in this context the process of reaching out has to start with the leaders in the government. This does not mean that Government’s generosity will be reciprocated.

The opposition may continue its relentless campaign of bad-mouthing the President and his subordinates. But the evidence the past four years does not support such a scenario.

Guyana has had a placid, innocuous reaction by the opposition to the use of power that the PPP cannot deny. ROAR, GAP, the AFC and the PNC have not been aggressive and malicious in their activities and strategies.

Cooperation, more than unwillingness, has characterized the relationship between the two groups that sit opposite each other in Parliament.

It is this unprecedented, non-antagonistic relationship that has confused political observers because one thought it would have brought a change of heart in the ruling elite.

We can refer once more to two editorials of the Stabroek News that lamented the incapacity of the opposition in the face of the expanding intransigence of the government.

There are many historical, psychological and political reasons why the government has not tried to capture and retain the little moments of unity impulses from its national critics.

In hundreds of these columns, I have either briefly dealt with these reasons or have expanded at length on them. It is not necessary to elaborate once more.

At this stage in the process of development, this country cries out for some form of reaching out between the combatants.

President Jagdeo is quoted in the front page headline of the Chronicle as calling for reconciliation during his eulogy at the funeral. But the most pressing, logical question to be asked is, “Why the government does not make the first move?”

There is so much this President can do to start the process of healing. These policy-changes are bound to transform the political landscape of this country. Small concessions will gradually lead to a more inviting environment.

What has the government got to lose by freeing-up the suspended sums to Critchlow College? It is a mere $24 million annually, an infinitesimal number for the central government.

President Jagdeo should bring an end to the radio monopoly. What can radio do to hurt the government if that is the intention of a private radio station owner that newspapers and television transmission cannot do?

There can be no serious effort at achieving a more accommodating political culture if there isn’t genuine opposition participation in institutions like Parliament, the Integrity Commission and state boards. This is the direction that the government has to go into if its leaders are sincere in their advocacy of unity.

It has to start with policy changes. One heartening sign should be the formation of the Human Rights Commission.

President Jagdeo must know the sun is beginning to set on his presidential career. Every leader wants to be remembered in a huge way by the country he/she once ruled. Some fail. Some falter.

But the desire is always there to leave an unforgettable legacy. Both the PPP and President Jagdeo should earnestly reach out to all those who think that the PPP Government is incapable of historic changes.