“GDF document” tendered to Rodney Commission probably fake - Colonel West

“GDF document” tendered to Rodney Commission probably fake – Colonel West

Jul 31, 2014 News

– By Latoya Giles
A document which allegedly showed the movement of weapons from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to the People’s National Congress may not be authentic after all.
The document had been tendered to the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry, and Lt. Colonel Patrick West, who appeared before the Commission on behalf of the GDF, said that the information on the document, which allegedly showed the movement of weapons, is not correct. West told the Commission that the document is not a “weapons form,” but was a form which is used in the Guyana Defence Force’s Finance Department.
West explained that the “document” appeared to be an Army form dating back to 1954. He said that the regimental number 9142 and name attached to the document was Major Godwin McPherson’s. But according to West, Mc Pherson’s regimental number, which is recorded by the GDF, is totally different from what appears on that form.
West said that the number which is recorded with the GDF is 9129. The witness was asked whether there were two McPhersons in the army and he answered in the affirmative. West however said that he only knew the late Godwin McPherson.
West said he was unfamiliar with Mc Pherson’s signature.
The document, which is dated June 24, 1979, claims that the army handed over 19- G3 Rifles, 19- G3 Bayonett snipers, 1500 rounds of 7.62 ammunition, ten Browning pistols and 500 rounds of 9mm ammunition to the PNC for the House of Israel. Joseph Hamilton had already testified that arms were provided to that religious organization.
The “account form” along with several other documents was tendered by Crime Chief Leslie James. James was the first witness to have been called at the Commission.
Attorney at Law Basil Williams interjected and maintained that the document was fraudulent and should not even be entertained by the Commission since it would be a travesty.
However, Commissioner Jacqueline Samuels-Browne differed in opinion. According to Samuels-Browne, if the document was actually a “bogus” one it was still of concern to the Commission. She said that since it was tendered by the Special Branch of the Police Force, it should be a cause for investigation. At the last sitting of the Commission, former army chief Major General Norman McLean questioned the authenticity of the same document which was shown to Colonel West.
McLean, after seeing that document had immediately asked that a “handwriting” expert be summoned to determine its authenticity. Kaieteur News had managed to get a copy of the “account form” which was tendered. .
However, several sources close to the now dead Mc Pherson, have refuted that he signed the document and have produced other documents purportedly signed by him on which the signature is different.
McLean said that he was familiar with the signature of the late army officer and denied that the signature attached to a document shown to him was McPherson’s.
McLean was also shown a payroll document with the name “Smith” attached to it. That document was dated May 24, 1979. According to McLean, the document looks as though it was “cut and pasted”.

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“GDF document” tendered to Rodney Commission probably fake – Colonel West

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