Latest update November 14th, 2024 1:00 AM
Jul 26, 2010 Features / Columnists, Freddie Kissoon
Mr. Jagdeo is at it again. At his press conference on Friday, he libeled me once more. He called me a non-academic that hasn’t published any research and a convicted book-thief. Mr. Jagdeo knows he cannot be sued. The mistake Mr. Jagdeo made was when he sued. His lawyer had to tell him that he will have to go to court to make an appearance on the witness stand. The first word that came out of the mouth of my lawyer is that he will summon Mr. Jagdeo to the witness box. And he did say he anticipates Mr. Jagdeo will be questioned for more than two weeks.
I hope Mr. Jagdeo knows what he is getting into. His twelve year old exercise of power will be on trial. My attorney intends to question Jagdeo on the entire twelve years of his presidency. Questions will focus on the award of contracts, the phantom squads, his common-law marriage to Varshie Singh among others. Mr Jagdeo will be asked to name the original investor in the hotel complex at Kingston that failed. Here are some names that will be called to take the stand – former Police Commissioner, Winston Felix, retired Deputy Commissioner, Paul Slowe, Ms. Varshnie Singh, “Sash Sawh’s brother-in-law, all the Ministers of Mr. Jagdeo’s cabinet. One thing for sure, I will subpoena documents from the Cabinet and from meetings of the PPP’s executive committee.
In terms of opposition figures that can answer questions on the sociology of race politics in Guyana, the list includes the entire executive of the PNC, AFC, WPA, also people in civil society groups like ACDA, the TUC etc. Mr. Jagdeo is waiting, as he said, for his day in court. I hope he knows that the day will turn into weeks. This will be the largest and most sensational trial in the history of the CARICOM region. It will attract reporters from outside of the region. What Guyanese could never have read in the newspapers will come out in those court sessions. It is no exaggeration to say that not only Mr. Jagdeo is waiting for the trial but all Guyanese. The nation will get to know who the original investor of the Kingston Hotel was. The population will know who and who Roger Khan interfaced with when he bought all his properties in Guyana and who he negotiated with for his investment in Hogg Island. Let me see what genius Mr. Jagdeo will use in or out of power to avoid facing thousands of questions (not hundreds) in court.
Let’s move on to my non-publication. This newspaper contacted me for a comment on that. My challenge is contained in yesterday’s edition of KN. Here is a repeat of it. If I produce published research, Mr. Jagdeo has to resign. If Mr. Jagdeo gives me a time limit (he decides that) and I failed to provide evidence of published research then I will resign from UG and stop writing for Kaieteur News. Of course we all know Mr. Jagdeo isn’t going to take up the challenge. So Mr. Jagdeo, who accuses me all the time of saying things about him, will once more prove to the nation that he lacks leadership abilities. One of the great hallmarks of leadership qualities is the capacity to engage in challenge.
Let me repeat so all the Guyanese people could see. Mr. Jagdeo said I never published a single page of research. I will produce published research and when I do so, Mr. Jagdeo has to resign.
I am beginning to get concerned about my physical safety given this obsession with me. The record is clear for the world to see. I was attacked and a miasmic substance thrown in my face. There has been no police investigation even though NCN has some facts about the attackers. In front of KN Senior Reporter Dale Andrews and civil rights activist, Mark Benschop, the CID at Albertown Police Station told me they do not know who to talk to at NCN. Next, paid disrupters tried to break up an academic conference when I took to the podium to speak. Thirdly, I got a libel suit. Now soon after being sued by Mr. Jagdeo, he attacked me at his press conference saying all kinds of libelous things about me. Is it time to be worried? I guess it is. But I refused to be intimidated. I am not afraid of Guyanese Leviathans, Guyanese Hitlers, Guyanese fascists, Guyanese godzillas. I am a human rights activist. And I am prepared to die for what I believe in.
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