On what evidence, and based on whose investigation has this finding been determined?

Jul 30, 2009 Letters

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Dear Editor,
Last week I penned a letter welcoming the offer of assistance by the United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) to the Government of Guyana with the investigation into the alleged firebombing of the country’s Ministry of Health and the loss of millions of dollars in national assets, including buildings, vehicles, equipment and medicines, much of which was acquired through international donor assistance.
The letter also called on the Guyana Government to provide for SOUTHCOM’s full participation in the investigative process, including the investigation of allegations of the torture of suspects arrested in connection with the fire.

Since writing that letter, and within days of its announcement of its acceptance of SOUTHCOM’s assistance, the Guyana Government through the Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, and Police Commissioner Henry Greene, informed the public that it had been determined that the alleged firebombing of the Health Ministry was orchestrated and implemented by political elements bent on creating confusion in the society.
On what evidence, and based on whose investigation has this finding been determined?
Are these conclusions based on information resulting from the alleged torture of and violence against some of the suspects arrested?

I am reliably informed by sources in the United States that SOUTHCOM has not been actively involved in the investigation thus far.
In my earlier letter I pointed to the proposed assistance as a positive development in US/Caribbean relations, and such cooperation remains a positive development.
However, SOUTHCOM cannot and must not allow itself to be compromised by having its name associated with an investigation with which it was not involved.
Consequently, the Obama Administration should have no hesitation in withdrawing its offer of assistance with this specific investigation.
This is necessary if future offers of assistance to CARICOM member states with investigations into major crimes and national tragedies are to be credible and final reports accepted and supported by the general public.

The Obama Administration and the international community in general cannot be seen to be a part of investigations which lack credibility and might well be driven by partisan political considerations.
Beyond withdrawing its offer of assistance with the Guyana investigation, the US as well as the rest of the international community, including CARICOM governments, political parties and the CARICOM Secretariat must publicly request the Jagdeo Administration to hold independent investigations into the allegations of torture of suspects held in connection with the fire.
Let me make it clear that this is not a request that the US and other major players in the international community seek to change the Government of Guyana.
The PPP/C is the legitimately elected government of Guyana and should be removed only by the people of Guyana through legally established methods such as the ballot box.
However, the ongoing allegations of torture of, and violence against innocent citizens, even those suspected of crimes, since they are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, cannot be allowed to continue.

Add to these allegations, the influence of the narco-traffickers, allegations of racial discrimination and the growing level of poverty in the country and Guyana could well be the “maternity ward” for social unrest that could seriously undermine the stability of the CARICOM region. Hence, now is the time for action on the part of the international community!
In another recent development, a US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) informant from Guyana, in testimony before a New York Court earlier this week, testified under oath that Guyana’s Health Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy was contacted by Guyanese Roger Khan, before his arrest by US authorities on drug trafficking charges, after Khan’s associates had successfully murdered Guyanese political activist Ronald Waddell, a critic of Khan.
Contacted by one section of the Guyana media for a comment on the testimony, Minister Ramsammy, according to the media report, dismissed the testimony as nonsense, adding that he was too busy to address the allegation.
This is not the first time Minister Ramsammy’s name has been associated with confessed drug dealer Roger Khan.

Is it merely coincidental that the Ministry of Health fire took place less than two weeks before the start of the trial in New York?
I have no evidence to the contrary. However, these are serious allegations against Minister Ramsammy and notwithstanding the excellent work he has been doing in the country’s health sector, he must now step down, even if temporarily, so that he could find the time to address the allegations against him.
The Health Ministry is the recipient of millions of dollars of US and other international donor funding and the stewardship of such assistance cannot enjoy broad public support and confidence if it remains under Minister Ramsammy’s watch, while serious allegations against him are not addressed.
Like any other person against whom allegations are made, Dr. Ramsammy is innocent until/unless proven guilty.
However, given the office he holds, and the fact that there is significant international cooperation with his ministry, he must step down until such time as the allegations against him are fully addressed.
Wesley Kirton

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