Two dossiers: Which one will win out?

Nov 24, 2009 Features / Columnists, Freddie Kissoon

There are two documents in circulation. One is a terrible indictment of the Government of Guyana. It is the compilation of deaths by homicidal violence that occurred from the period 1993 until the arrest of drug trafficker, Shaheed “Roger” Khan.

Edited by some of the finest minds in the opposition camp, this volume is a graphic indication that Guyana has learnt nothing from the internecine warfare that occurred between 1960 and 1964. This is a chilling record of death, torture, mayhem and sadism.

Right in the middle of it, stands the bloody figure of Shaheed “Roger” Khan. But all over this dossier is the putrid smell that emanates from a government that has contemptuously tossed aside the role of common sense, decency and integrity in the exercise of power.

I don’t know if the opposition parties have sent out this publication to world leaders and international organisations. If they have not then they should immediately do so.

There are times our opposition camp’s mediocrity has no comparison in world politics. A delegation should be dispatched to Jamaica and Trinidad ASAP. All CARICOM Heads should be assigned a copy of the dossier.

As far as possible, the European Embassies in Trinidad and Jamaica should be given copies for transmission to European leaders and the Canadian Prime Minister. Most of all, members of the US Congress and high-level officials of the Department of State should be asked to study the document.

When one reads in this dossier about the involvement of a drug trafficker and his interlocking relationships with the Government of Guyana, one can only conclude that it is an indictment of modern civilisation that the world will turn a blind eye to this kind of primitive violence practiced by a modern state against its own people.

Can the EU and American leaders and the Canadian Prime Minister remain unmoved from the contents of this dossier? The Americans have acted against many Third World Governments for lesser violations much less for a foreign government’s participation in the cocaine schemes of a notorious cartel boss.

The Americans have got what they always wanted. US Embassy officials in Guyana would often tell media operatives; “Give us what you have and we will take it from there.”

Now they have it they must act on it. The irritating thing about Guyana is that it’s income comes essentially from aid given by the EU and the US whose money fills the coffers of the IDB. Yet these governments have refused to make the Guyana Government accountable.

The second thing making the rounds is an advertisement advocating a third term for Mr. Jagdeo. It first appeared on the internet, then on television channels, now there is bill-board. It is a professionally done video with the voice-over being that of an American. The airing of this video concludes the activities about the third-term decision.

One can say that given its broadcast over television that the campaign is official. There has to be a moronic group out there that would spend money to promote Mr. Jagdeo for a third-term knowing that Mr. Jagdeo has carved out a definitive future which does not include presidential politics.

The third-term campaign has to be one of the strangest acts in the history of politics. Since time immemorial, politicians have used the masses to fulfill their imperial ambitions.

They promise millions of things. They go on their best behaviour. Then when power is achieved, they show their true colours. This will go on once civilisation continues.

In the case of Mr. Jagdeo, it is literally impossible to see how Mr. Jagdeo’s third-term ambition could be supported by his people. Mr. Jagdeo does not practice the art of reconciliation. He does not practice the art of generosity. He does not embody the nice guy style.

There is nothing since the last election to prove that Mr. Jagdeo is a democratic leader, humane and generous and will do things for the lesser classes of this nation. Mr. Jagdeo attacks the press.

He has an ongoing battle with the opposition parties. His relationship with labour is hardly encouraging. The country gets no large salary increases.

The poorer classes have nothing to cheer about. His close associates are people that are disliked by a sizeable percentage of this country’s population.

Guyanese see no intention to democratise and to root out corruption. In the midst of this morass, comes a campaign to amend the Constitution to allow Mr. Jagdeo to be President for three consecutive terms. On Saturday, Mr. Jagdeo again proclaimed no interest in running in 2011.

But why are the campaigners persisting? The coming months will answer that question.