Granger is most accountable because he seeks presidency

Apr 28, 2011 Letters

---

Dear Editor,
Mr. Mark Archer in a letter (Kaieteur News, 04-19-2011) titled, “Those who serve in the GDF should stand up and set the record straight”, took me to task.
That is acceptable in a democratic country where the free press facilitates a public exchange to which I am grateful. Attacking me for my criticisms of Mr. David Granger does not however diminish the case against or exonerates him.
In a democracy Mr. David Granger is answerable and accountable and comes under scrutiny for all his past actions.
Especially, in his case where so much controversy places him in the midst of the violation of the democratic process which he fully participated in destroying.
Ironically he now seeks the highest benefit to a prize he failed to protect.
None of the previous GDF Indian soldiers Mr. Archer pinpointed to “set the record straight” have a political mandate or are seeking political power except Mr. Granger who seeks Guyana’s highest political office.
Mr. Granger’s current defence is his previous knowledge which blames Dr Cheddi Jagan for inciting PPP supporters to seize ballot boxes yet he surprisingly feigns ignorance to PPP charges that the PNC planned to rig the same elections.
Any surprise? Yet Mr. Granger even wants us to believe that the country’s army responsible for its defences was unaware what was happening inside the country it was charged to protect.
Now entrusting Mr. Granger again with Guyana’s highest political responsibility for managing both territorial integrity and internal harmony when he failed on both counts certainly cannot be national wisdom. Especially since Mr. Granger has absolutely no economic training skills to manage a country operating in a worldwide economic recession.
Would Mr. Archer consider rigging of elections, an abortion of democracy and a travesty, mind you, disregarding all that lost grass that made us less green in the land of Guyana?
The option is still open for Mr. Granger to apologise and make amends for PNC crimes such as rigging and advocate compensation for all families inclusive of the two innocent Guyanese murdered in the 1973 elections.
Same compensation to those families of WPA activists killed. Often we hear how Mr. Granger is a Christian who daily reads his bible. Please check the google link http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13154300 and find out how forgiveness can make a difference.
Readers will judge if giving Mr. Granger and the PNC an ‘out’ is fair and indicative of racism. Obviously power sharing and coalitions are just temporary solutions and will not work. Federalism where black people would be guaranteed governing themselves, same for Indians and of course Amerindians is the best alternative.
Balancing of the armed forces, equal participation in the federal civil service and ethnic security in return are fair justifiable concessions in exchange.
The constant complaints about marginalisation, need for power sharing, coalitions, proportional representation and now the new charge that the PNC Burnham constitution is not good anymore because the PPP governs by it, can be frustrating when nothing is returned as a concession. Didn’t someone advocate a good rioting the other day whether the PPP wins the 2011 elections one way or the other?
Federation’s permanent solution, instead of partition divides Guyana permanently Blacks choosing guaranteed power in federalism also guarantees Indians the same option. In the event of such a possibility my only fear is more PNC stumbling blocks arising in implementation.
All would gain if critics were to also engage me in a healthy discussion for solutions to Guyanese problems including ethnic fears and insecurity, rather than an emphasis on dates and locations or printing labels for Mr. Granger’s defence. Mr. Archer as a “former soldier” claims his “former” commanding officer is not guilty. I as a civilian say he must be held accountable. Who makes the final decision in a democracy, the soldier or the civilian?
President Forbes Burnham (he was PNC leader) or a soldier? A bet (small one now) that in the event the PPP/C “shares” power with the PNC/C as a transition to federation it will be you know who, and definitely not Mr. David Granger who eventually occupies the Prime Minister spot. The PNC constitution still makes the civilian leader paramount. Mr. Granger as a military man will have to stand down per his duty and the chain of command. Wouldn’t he? Mr. Granger has a PNC mandate to win only the Presidency. The Prime Ministership is obviously not his objective. For example US President Truman (as leader) fired General Douglas McArthur who sought to overstep his boundaries by crossing and engaging China.
All those who Mr. Archer exhorted in his letter were sworn to defend Guyana as their patriotic duty and not specifically Mr. Granger. Maybe most Guyanese soldiers are not all like Mr. Archer but instead consummate professionals who serve a democratic Guyana with all their skills irregardless of the political party in power. And they view themselves as Guyanese, not Indians, blacks or the other. How does Mr. Archer label himself?
Can Mr. Archer understand the professionalism of those white secret service Zimbabweians who daily guard the black Zimbabwean Prime Minister Mr. Robert Mugabe even as he starves and empties his country of more blacks than whites?
It is no secret that the GDF in uniform pledged loyalty to honour the sacred leader President Forbes Burnham and the PNC before duty to protect the nation’s constitution and its citizens. Now Mr. Mark Archer must educate us what he did as an officer in response to the 1974 Sophia Declaration.
Which soldier was innocent when they placed the PNC and President Forbes Burnham paramount to that of his country’s constitution? Was he as enthusiastic then in pledging loyalty to the PNC as he is now in his rush to defend Mr. Granger? Which was more important then, and now?
Recall GDF excellence when President Burnham ordered the GDF to stamp out lawlessness in the Rupununi even amidst charges of brutality to our Amerindian population?
Why should these soldiers Mr. Archer exhorts to defend Mr. Granger be made to feel guilty and less apprehensive in required supporting of Mr. Granger, mind you, politically, even though they are all civilians?
Mr. Archer gives the impression he knows much of GDF operations. Maybe he can clarify who in the GDF were involved in Dr Walter Rodney’s assassination. His authenticity would be determined in the details of his (GDF) intimate political knowledge of Guyana’s backstreet politics.
How often the PPP/C complains out of power about balancing the armed forces. But when in power, zero. Is this the same PPP which also cried in the 1960s “in office but not in power”?
Hopefully today’s Guyana armed forces will still place priority in defence of the democratically elected government of the day as well as the Guyana Constitution and not a particular party based on race appeal.
There is absolutely no PPP/C Sophia Declaration.
Certainly Mr. Granger and his supporters would also understand Indians real fear in supporting anyone affiliated with the PNC after its history. Mr. Granger can however build reassurances in a public”contract” detailing how he will very clearly protect their ethnic interests and security.
Sometime ago when he contacted me, ex GDF soldier Mr. Malcolm Harripaul, who is a long standing acquaintance was asked if Mr. Granger had given assurances to him personally or addressed the question of ethnic security privately. I do not want to rush Malcolm and will patiently await his private response. Maybe Mr. Granger himself can also later convince me.
With a strong preference for a system of decentralization such as the federal system as the U.S.A, or a Switzerland compromise I at least seek fairness and dialogue.
Engagement in decent, healthy discussions will be the solution to Guyana’s problems including ethnic fears and insecurity instead of cranking out labels or racism and abuse which only create more divisions. I believe Mr. Acher seeks a fair resolution. Why are we constantly at odds with each other and when will we initiate closure?
Vassan Ramracha

---

---