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State intimidation and victimisation

Nov 14, 2010 Letters

Dear Editor,
Initially, I was tempted to respond to a letter written by Brian Azore: “A response to Harry Gill’s defence of Kaieteur News” (Kaieteur News November 11), but decided against it; after all, why waste my time and effort, when there’re more important issues to bring to the attention of readers.
Mr. Editor, I am appalled at the photographic evidence of State intimidation and victimization as published on the front page of Kaieteur News, November 11.
In the photo, one can see that most of the canal that runs along the Railway Embankment was cleared of duckweed, except the entire front of Freddie Kissoon’s home, which, with precision accuracy, was left unattended and un-cleared.
The straight line that was cut across this trench at both sides of Kissoon’s lot, clearly illustrates to me that instructions were given to the Drainage and Irrigation workers not to clean this section. And despite the claim by Works Minister Robeson Benn, that “there were two teams clearing the canal and they were working from the two extremities” and that “when they called it a day they had reached the section of the canal outside Freddie Kissoon’s home”, I am convinced that the Minister is either a lousy spin-doctor, or he believes that we’re all idiots to believe this ludicrous explanation.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to conclude that the precision nature of the line drawn was deliberately done. Why would anyone take the time to surgically cut straight lines, leaving Freddie’s section untouched, when they could have easily finished the job in less time, and avoid returning the next day to complete what should have been done the day before? It just doesn’t make sense to blame the workers, but if Minister Benn is telling the truth, they should all be fired just for being stupid.
The Jagdeo Administration has sunk to a new low with this deliberate and spiteful action against Freddie Kissoon, in what can only be seen as yet another attempt to silence, intimidate and victimize their critics. Have no doubt, freedom of expression is now under attack, and so too is the freedom of the press.
It wasn’t so long ago that Freddie Kissoon was savagely attacked by someone throwing fecal matter on him, and I’m yet to read of anyone being arrested for this crime despite leads that were given to the police.
Both Kaieteur News and SN are being squeezed financially for their refusal to conform to all the propaganda spewed by the Administration, government advertising revenues are drastically reduced to the independent media, while advertising revenue to the Guyana Chronicle remains unabated.
It is time that the international community in Guyana voices its condemnation of this communist strategy, and call on the Jagdeo Administration to practice the kind of democracy as defined by our constitution. It is also time that President Jagdeo delivers on his promise to pass the Freedom of Information Act, and not wait to do so on his way out the door.
Harry Gill

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