Latest update June 17th, 2026 12:40 AM
An argument driven by fallacious reasoning
DEAR EDITOR,
I read an article in the Guyana Chronicle of June 17, 2015, which sought to explain the circumstances surrounding recent repairs carried out on the access road which leads to the residence of Prime Minister Mr. Moses Nagamootoo.
The article quoted statements carried in the Guyana Times Newspaper of June 14th 2015, which purported that “special treatment” had been awarded the Hon. Prime Minister in the form of his access road being upgraded upon his assumption of office.
From the very start, this argument is driven by fallacious reasoning at best; hence it is a non issue. The constitution of Guyana does not provide specific information on the protective security of ordinary citizens. However, it does provide for how to protect the Hon. Prime Minister; that is because the office of Prime Minister is a very important one, even more important than – shall we say that of a former president?
Eighty percent of all assassinations or attempted assassinations on the lives of political celebrities occur in or around a vehicle, in the vicinity of their office or proximity of their home. This is because one leaves home, and arrives at the same places at about the same time every day. A short list of persons so victimized would include but is not limited to:- Former Indian Prime Minister Ms. Indira Gandhi, South African President Dr H.F Verwoerd; Former Italian Prime Minister Mr. Aldo Moro; and former leader of the South African Communist Party Mr. Martin Thembisile Chris Hani.
When a vulnerability assessment is carried out using a model established by the United States Secret Service, one finds that most attacks carried out on high profile individuals were launched within 500 yards of their destination, hence the kill zone. A review of victimization on military generals, diplomats and even Caribbean politicians follows a similar trend.
Security drivers and members of a protective detail are taught to recite the following: pay special attention to strange vehicles, objects and places, an impassable street is located within the context of “place” since it does not allow for a speedy escape in times of emergency. The recitation continues… bear in mind that threats can come from the east, west, north or south; from below or above or from within. In addition to the above, adequate provision has to be made for neutralizing short, medium and long range threats.
In summary, in the absence of vehicles with adequate ballistic protection, a good access road would certainly afford protectors the necessary maneuverability; to thwart the operational advances of individuals with ulterior motives; (by eliminating chokepoints). During high threat situations, especially during hours of restricted visibility, speed is very often the protector’s only friend.
Clairmont Featherstone
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