Candidates must debate publicly and be questioned away from their parties’ props

Nov 03, 2011 Letters

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Dear Editor,

Guyanese voters should know where the candidates and/or political parties stand on the various issues such as jobs, rebuilding industries, creating a safe and dynamic business environment, education, resources development, UG (better funding and facilities including the need for a radio station), the roles of science and technology, research and development, human rights, freedom of the information act, freedom of the press and independent public institutions.
The personalities of the past and present political leaders have decidedly determined the paths we have walked, where we are right now, and where we would be going. These personality issues should be of major concern to all interested in the future of Guyana and its people.
The PNC produced Mr. Burnham and the PPP not to be outdone produced Mr. Jagdeo. Mr. Burnham changed the constitution of his party and later the state’s so that all power resided in his hands – the supreme leader. The checks and balances of power and control were likewise removed and assimilated by this head of state. Ultimate power was used to neutralize opponents or accelerate their flights to safer places. Concurrently, his faithful followers were rewarded.
The PPP’s President Jagdeo inherited these enormous Presidential powers from Mr. Burnham’s efforts and wielded them with even more devastating effects. As before, the persons and voices who dissented with the Govt. (or rather the new Supreme Leader) had the machineries of the party and state hammering them into further submission and/or silence, respectively. Many likewise took flight from the Presidential impositions and consequences of his actions. Others were bought and/or brought in line owing to the greater generosities of the President. The nightmares and excesses returned with greater vengeance beyond belief.
Few leaders are able to resist the outright abuse of absolute power when given such opportunities come their ways. In light of our past disastrous experiences, the personalities of the major players must be examined since the personality of the president affects this small nation for better or worse. This is necessary until checks and balances become embedded in the constitution and the various public institutions (police, army, judiciary, public service) regain their independence.
It is therefore unfortunate that Mr. Ramotar has refused to be involved in a debate at UG. We must assume that this presidential candidate thinks that public discourse of views is not necessary in this country, or that the public does not need to know more about him.
Is the PPP loudly saying its candidate cannot hold his own in a public debate without a script?
We have never seen any picture of Mr. Ramotar at UG, despite the years of our writings about the conditions at UG and their effects on the youths and national development. He apparently never dropped by to see for himself what is going on. (Mr. Ramotar was however in NY at the India Day parade, as photographs show.) The same educational institution, UG, has been arguably the crowning achievement of Dr. C. Jagan and his then PPP colleagues. This current President Jagdeo Govt. has destroyed the University resulting in lost years of our human youth potential. The same disaster befell other post secondary educational institutions.
UG has now become a natural poor background to the ruling PPP’s candidate, but an excellent testament to the years of neglect inflicted on students despite claims that the PPP Govt. has excelled in education, social and human development. These deficiencies at UG were repeatedly documented in the local media. We must assume that Mr. Ramotar does not read, does not care or goes along with whatever his Supreme Leader decides. This reflects poorly on this leadership abilities and qualities of this presidential candidate.
Likewise, we do not know and have not heard Mr. Ramotar’s views on any of the various issues mentioned above.
The Alliance for Change (AFC) under Mr. Raphael Trotman has long spoken in the local media about the need for a Freedom of Information Act to clarify so many issues (Rupununi uprising, Jonestown, Dr. Walter Rodney etc). The AFC has worked on this issue. The major players, including Mr. Ramjattan (years after leaving the PPP) now of the AFC, support our call for improvements at UG and support investments in research and development in science and technology. AFC did support those of us (spearheaded by Dr. J. Bulkan) who sought to bring the information on exploitation of our forestry resources to the public’s attention.
Mr. Granger (APNU) specifically promised better education and technical training at UG and other technical and post secondary institutions. (In Mr. R. Corbin’s years, we never heard from Mr. Granger during the active debate, between us and the UG administration under Dr. James Rose.) According to the writings of Mr. Malcolm Harripaul (Human Rights activist), APNU also plans to address the security fears and concerns of the population. We were given some insights into the mindset and intentions of Mr. Granger.
The PPP Presidential Candidate, Mr. Ramotar, is not on record as saying or writing anything on any of the major issues (education, UG, science – research and development, human rights violations, industrial development etc.) during the years. Unfortunately, Mr. Ramotar has been silent and reminds us of the three monkeys – eyes, ears and mouth covered with their hands, meaning they see no evil, hear no evil and speak not of the evils that abound.
Mr. Ramotar, show us that you are your own man, get into the debate with others, Dr. C. Jagan. Ms. Janet Jagan, Mr. L.F.S. Burnham and Mr. D. Hoyte never ran from a debate. Debating in a public forum is a normal process in any viable democracy; the electorate deserves better than what you have showed so far. The Youths and all Guyanese deserve to be informed.
Besides, we enjoy the historic “Kodak moment” in Guyana where Mr. Sam Hinds hugged you and cried. We are certain that Mr. Hinds would be so happy to give an encore performance after your debate. We want to know what the man Mr. Hinds is so emotional about.
Seelochan Beharry

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