American pressure or American pretense

Jul 02, 2021 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

A few United States Congress people recently articulated that all Guyanese must share in their oil wealth. The skeptical in me brings disbelief; the charitable contributes the critical; and the practical thinks that my fellow Americans agree with what I placed before them, Guyana, and the world: visions and courses of action being perfected by the PPP government cannot hold indefinitely.
Editor, where oil is concerned, Americans are smartest; much exposure, more agitating experiences: Libya, Nigeria, and Venezuela. So, before American interest gets upended by seething, warring natives, Congress people are going public with that unbeatable Gospel rendition: all. As in all, Guyanese must benefit from Guyana’s oil. I appreciate that after nearly one year of PPP power, the restless reigns. On one hand, Americans support machinations of PPP leaders with slick media management, security apparatus control (PR, promotions fight, joint security team), and oil cooperation that suits their interests and visions. I detect shifting from the volatile, hostile Middle East to an ironclad arc of influence spanning Guyana, Venezuela, and Suriname; as China cements the Middle East, America recalibrates in Latin America. Thus, there is kind and gentle appealing for all Guyanese to share in this nation’s oil wealth.
The latter is three-pronged. First, the American Ambassador, has articulated clinically and objectively her conclusions on prospects for political stability and social security. Recently, one of her compatriots (Tradewinds) was robbed. Burgeoning crime is a byproduct of instability, and that we have (low level instability) currently, and which an unsettled Guyana Police Force combats unsteadily. Additionally, skilled PNC diaspora members would have given Congress people the lay of Guyana’s land, with its dangerous racial and political minefields, which don’t require much to activate. From an American perspective that would not be helpful to Exxon’s and Hess’s and Schlumberger’s interests (or AMCHAM Guyana fronts). Hence, U.S. Congress people have recently been issuing noble calls (concerns) for all Guyanese to be beneficiaries of this country’s wealth in terms of deeds, and not just words. Americans have seen how super-elites have profited elsewhere, and what that has meant for those without, plus how they react. Such could upset carefully laid American plans. Third, I think that visible and audible protests in Guyana and New York, via relentless newspaper coverage and radio programmes, increasing street disagreements peopled with placard-armed citizens, and all pointing to Exxon’s thievery of Guyana’s oil, have also contributed to engage and stir American politicians to say something.
Editor, I think that what the PPP government should be aware of, and what the Americans know well, is what Jefferson said: “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” And from Samuel Adams: “when people fear the government, there is tyranny.” There is fear and anxiety here on the tyranny of being left out. As if to confirm, the moribund Opposition Leader stirred himself to warn ominously about “civil unrest” on another issue. The many willing are waiting. No interpretation should be needed.

Sincerely,
GHK Lall

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