Latest update January 11th, 2025 4:10 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Rodney Inquiry hears of more missing documents

Jul 31, 2014 News

… R. Corbin received Army weapons  

By Latoya Giles
As the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (COI) continued yesterday, another rank from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) testified about several “missing” documents which were expected to have been brought to the hearings.
Lieutenant Colonel, Cargill Kyte, told the Commissioners yesterday that the Army Air Corps has no records of flights from June 13 to June 17, 1980.
This according to reports, was the same time that former army officer, William “Gregory” Smith, was flown to Kwakwani.
Smith is accused of handing the “walkie talkie” which reportedly exploded killing Dr Rodney.
Kyte, in his testimony said too that the army was unable to find the “flight manifests”.
He told the Commission that during searches, he was unable to locate the information.  The witness further told the Commission that there is a chain of command when dealing with the Army Air Corps.
He explained that there would have had to be a flight request, a documentation of who made the request as well as information related to the time of the flights, among other details.
Kyte told the Commissioners that once permission is granted, the information goes back to the Air Corps. “Documents such as the flight plan would be sent to the control tower…also the load sheet and flight manifest which depends on the type of flight,” Kyte explained.
Kyte was asked about the type of aircraft that the GDF had in its possession during 1979 to 1980. According to the witness, the army had 14 aircraft, with some being unknown for airworthiness. Kyte also recalled that two 206 Bell Helicopters were sold between 1988 and 1991. He also disclosed that one SRGR aircraft was sold to Air Services Guyana in 1991.
Further Kyte said that any information such as the “logbook” would be with the owner and not the GDF.
Attorney-at-Law, Latchmie Rahamat, interjected and said that an attempt has already been made to have the owner come to the Commission.
Guns from Army given….
Moreover, a second senior rank of the GDF disclosed yesterday that the army had distributed weapons to the now defunct Ministry of National Development in 1979. Lt. Colonel, Sydney Charles James, told the Commission that he is the Staff Officer attached to the G2 Branch or the Intelligence Unit.
He said that in 2008 after a shootout in Berbice, he was instructed to conduct an investigation to determine whether the weapons recovered at the time were taken from the GDF.
His instruction came from then Army Chief, Gary Best.
He said that he conducted an internal investigation and found that several agencies were given weapons from the GDF.
James said according to records, on August 10, 1979, 50 pistols, 100 magazines, 20 Berretta SMG’S and accessories, 15 M70 Rifles, ten 879 guns, 4Xha 11 Light machines guns among others, were all given to the Ministry of National Development.
James said that one “Comrade Skeete” signed for the weapons on behalf of the Ministry.
Further, James told the Commission that 7 Smith and Wesson weapons were issued on May 18, 1976 to R. Corbin, Parliamentary Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister. James said he could not ascertain whether the recipient was Robert Corbin.
However as James was going through the list, an objection was made by Attorney-at-Law, Basil Williams, who is appearing for the People’s National Congress (PNC/R). Williams said that the Commission did not set up the “framework” for the line of questioning. He added that the Commission has not even sought to verify the authenticity of the documents and who the authors are.
Commission Chairman Sir Richard Cheltenham agreed with Williams that the basis needed to be set. The day’s proceeding was then adjourned to today.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Body of Chinese national who fell from new Demerara River bridge recovered

Body of Chinese national who fell from new Demerara River bridge...

Jan 11, 2025

Kaieteur News- The body of 39-year-old Fu Jian Wei, an employee of China Railway Construction Corporation (International) was recovered from the Demerara River on Friday, the Ministry of Public Works...
Read More
Athanaze posts 98 as Windies start positively in tour match against Pakistan Shaheens

Athanaze posts 98 as Windies start positively in...

Jan 11, 2025

Youngsters seize opportunity, rubbing shoulders with Golden Jags star Omar Glasgow

Youngsters seize opportunity, rubbing shoulders...

Jan 11, 2025

Anderson, Nedd, Lovell hit form as first Harpy Eagles 4-Day practice match bowls 

Anderson, Nedd, Lovell hit form as first Harpy...

Jan 11, 2025

Alvin ‘Geronimo’ Braithwaite to be laid-to-rest January 13

Alvin ‘Geronimo’ Braithwaite to be...

Jan 11, 2025

CFU launches Next Generation Class of 2025 Referees training

CFU launches Next Generation Class of 2025...

Jan 11, 2025

Features/Columnists

  • Dem signs need calibrating

    Dem Boys Seh… Kaieteur News- Dem boys bin pass one of dem fancy speed meter signs wah de guvament put up fuh tell drivers... more

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]