Analysis of a speech — A bad marriage from the start

Jul 10, 2014 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
We are all in it – Don’t just point a finger at the feral out-of-control Priya. Whether Donald Ramotar is a de facto president who has usurped power, or Priya Manickchand is unpolished, we cannot lay all the blame at their doorstep. The voting populace usually gets the government that they elect, and this is exactly the case.
On the part of the citizens, nothing constructive has been done to get rid of the present government. Nothing constructive, not even effective verbalization has been done thus far to eject the present Government, and elect one that can change the face of things, everything that is even the streets.
On a secondary note why is the media, seemingly playing into the hands of Priya, by focusing so much time on the verbal encounter with Ambassador Brent Hardt, at the celebration of the 238th independence anniversary of the United States of America. I am certain that although he has stepped over the so-called diplomatic boundary and attacked the President and Government of Guyana, we would all agree that his behaviour was indicative of how he felt about the government, and not to throw fuel to the fire.
What about his other behind-our-back/away-from-our-face verbalizations? After all, the basic and most important duty of an ambassador is to represent the interests of the United States to foreign governments, and keeping the president and State Department informed of events in the host country. So another question would be, what was President Obama and his team told, and in what light was the present Guyanese government presented?
As the rant continued, Priya claimed that Guyana, like so many other countries in the world, has been one stage on which American hegemony has played out, with reference made to the events of 1950 and 1960—over half a century ago. Such wrong abounded and despite these memorable injustices to the citizens of Guyana, over the years nothing seems to have been done to prevent a recurrence, for the Minister herself said that ever since the Ambassador assumed office, he contributed to a tension-filled relationship with the Government of Guyana. Were the rules established before the game was played?
It was stated that these said areas of tense relationships have attracted considerable efforts on the part of the Guyana Government to address, but often times without success. Why no success? To whom were they addressed?
Just recently Bahrain ordered a U.S. diplomat to leave country, after he had met with a leading Shia opposition group. So if from Day 1, Count Zero, the Ambassador was proving too much to handle, stepping out of bounds, not playing by the rules, then as has been said before, protocol should have been followed, and his removal requested.
What gain was it to the Guyana Government to still keep this errant diplomat? Yes, America has been Guyana’s main benefactor, and this position goes without saying. Now it is too late for tears and swears, as it has opened the door to fears and nightmares. Contravention of diplomatic norms and violation of diplomatic protocol must be addressed and dealt with at the time of its onset.
In a counter statement, even as he was preparing to exit Guyanese soil for the last time, Hardt reiterated his call for the hosting of local government elections, which he stressed that the US believes that such elections will be a transformative issue for Guyana. Even the most myopic can see that he was not speaking for himself, but echoing the sentiments of the American Government. Why now behave as if for him this behaviour was new. Both players were no strangers. The only thing new was the venue.
Act 2 Part 2, Ambassador Hardt did not step back to launch the attack, and the feral went viral. His call for an election met with rejection. However, his call should not fall on deaf ears, as now he is speaking for the Guyanese populace. Do not blast the messenger but listen to the message. Deal with the issues raised. Do not kick against the goad just get the election on the road.
Yvonne Sam

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