That ExxonMobil contract

Feb 28, 2020 Editorial

Major political leaders have to stand by the divisive and inflaming ExxonMobil oil contract. The government must be on the tongue tied defensive, while the opposition is free to wage verbal war on this contract and its insulting provisions.
The government has done so carefully, while Exxon, the object of derision and castigation, has rolled with the punches content in the knowledge that sticks and stones may break its bones but words will never hurt it.
The local political newcomers can say anything they wish but everyone knows they lack the muscle of a sturdy numerical or vocal constituency. On the other hand, the Opposition PPP can, and has shredded the contract, especially on those occasions that enable wide domestic coverage during elections time. This is what any opposition worth its salt would do, especially with a most watched issue, and a sharply roiling one at that, too.
But the main opposition, also, has been conspicuous in manifesting its considerable political acumen and appreciation of what the oil territory and the American territory is willing to absorb. To use the language of show business boxing, heated trash talk is accepted as part of the game that intensifies interest and increase gate receipts (votes), but there is great cautionary wisdom in observing the limits.
In other words, do not proceed with any damaging-likely self-endangering-action–inclusive of actual blows.
The understanding by all involved parties is speak as much as is desired, but don’t go beyond that, as it is all part of the circus.
And if Guyana’s political amphitheater is not a full-blown circus, then nothing is. Thus, it comes as no surprise that the main opposition is on record (again) to state where it stands. This was cleanly captured and summarised in the article captioned, “Jagdeo repeatedly trashes Exxon contract but would leave it as it is” (KN February 21).
It is the summit of sound political sense. Tell the natives what they want to hear, that is, repeatedly kick the thing like a useless dog, but then turn around and point out that that same damned dog has its positive attributes.
As this publication observes and weighs these political positions, there is recognition of what is in play here. Any serious electoral party contender, any leader desirous of fulfilling personal ambitions, and any viable presence wishing to be considered to be of the right stuff is well versed in what it takes, what must be done.
In the simplest terms, this amounts to Guyanese political people conditioning and presenting self, through volumes (both in bulk and in decibels) of soothing words designed to earn a spot in the good books of the watching American contingent-be it in the homeland or in Washington, D.C.
Critics and newcomers have nothing to lose and are considered necessary nuisances that have to be tolerated, through that greatest of antidotes: deafening public silence on the part of Exxon and those vigilant relative to American interests.
After all, it was once famously said that the business of America is business and, however looked at or derogated, ExxonMobil is the epitome of American business power and American business triumph.
It is not to be trifled with or confronted beyond empty words.
Exxon knows this, the main Guyanese opposition knows this, and the army of critics knows this, too.
It does not hurt to humour them with the courtesy of polite listening, and behind the scenes via backchannel discussions that facilitate the sending of veiled messages.
The opposition went to some pain in the KN article referenced, with its use of the word “nuanced.” In spite of all the trashing and condemning and what’s not, this is where the contract world ends: in that multipurpose word, “nuanced”.
It is better than most for the task at hand, since it allows taking several contradictory positions simultaneously, inclusive of pretended hostility (for local consumption) and the shaded promissory (for the ears of the observing Yankees). It is the latest classic of having one’s cake, while selling it.

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