Randy Persaud replies to Hinds

Jan 11, 2010 Letters

Dear Editor,

I write with reference to Dr. Hind’s article, “I hope Dr. Persaud acknowledges his mistake: if it is a mistake at all” (Kaieteur News 01-09-10).

Hinds states that I am mistaken in my interpretation of his Social and Economic Studies article. The contention is around two points. The first is that prior to the 1992 elections, the preferred position of the WPA was for a coalition government headed by Mr. Hoyte. The second point concerns Dr. Jagan’s role in government, i.e. that Dr. Jagan should be excluded. Hinds does not disagree that the position of the WPA was for Hoyte to be President (of a caretaker government) and that Dr. Jagan should be excluded.

Hinds then become fanciful and claims that the two things noted above are not connected. This is strange for a writer who now uses the language of narratives and discourse. The simple fact of the matter is that it is the totality of Hinds’ article that matters.

The WPA proposal for a Hoyte presidency in a caretaker government, while at the same time excluding Jagan was not separate and disconnected. Moreover, Hinds’ notion of a discredited Jagan is so diabolical that it hardly warrants comment.

The story is simple. The WPA was willing to sacrifice the PPP through some political gymnastics and at the same time cozy-up with the PNC which the WPA was actually fighting…

Hinds and the WPA must now, 17 years later, still explain what informed the exclusion of Dr. Jagan from a leadership role. Incidentally, the PPP was willing to offer the Prime Minister’s job to Prof. Clive Thomas.

Two things prevented that. The first was that the WPA had a lot of internal fights about their own leadership. The second was that the WPA adopted a strange position, namely, that Prof. Thomas should be the President or nothing else.

Dr. Hinds owes the people of Guyana an explanation. Specifically, by what stretch of the imagination could Hoyte be considered neutral? The nation awaits your answer Dr Hinds.

Dr. Randy Persaud