President Ali’s moral performance and statesmanship are on the line

Jul 05, 2023 Letters

Dear Editor,

Quote from Lincoln’s biography:

“Statecraft at the highest level is a most exacting human activity, one that presents distinctive moral dilemmas. This book examines the moral performance of Abraham Lincoln [1861 -1865] in the office of the president of the United States. It is therefore indirectly a book about statesmanship and moral choice in the American presidency, through an examination of the conduct of the most remarkable occupant of that office” (End of quote).

The title of the book, “President Lincoln” with subtitle “The Duty of a Statesman”. Author is William Lee Miller.

To KN readers, I say, substitute President Irfaan Ali’s name for Abraham Lincoln, and pay close attention to the highlighted phrases: distinctive moral dilemmas, moral performance, statesmanship and moral choice.

There is an allegation of rape and sodomy against a Minister in President Ali’s cabinet. The alleged victim is a 16-year-old Amerindian girl. Can President Ali detach himself from this matter and say, “Ah, let the State Agencies (Child Protection Agency, Police Dept, Director of Public Prosecutions) handle the matter – and bring it to a conclusion? Bear in mind the accused is not a member of the public, he is a Minister serving in the Executive Branch of the government.

Dear readers, I urge you to examine President Ali’s conduct given those criteria – distinctive moral dilemmas, moral performance, statesmanship and moral choice.

There is a perception of corruption in the way the State Agencies have handled this matter. Should President Ali still maintain his posture of detachment? Do presidents set the tone of their sense and stamp of governance on the whole country?

A distinguished child welfare advocate, Annan Boodram in the SN of July 3rd referred to the “. . . $10 million dollars bribe, supposedly to alleged victim’s family, looms large in a situation where poverty is real”. The complainant’s statement was very clear and detailed about the act of rape and sodomy, so what more does the DPP want before it decides to institute charges against the accused? What exactly is the DPP looking for? And, why was the victim’s lawyer not present in the room to oversee the teenager’s interest to make sure she is not bamboozled and intimidated? Can President Ali still maintain his aloofness and detachment? Is President Ali proving himself to be such an empty slate?

One lawyer said President Ali is running a country of 750,000 people (not a union of 50-States) and has no time to involve himself in every little squabble. This is not a little squabble. This goes to the foundations of rule of law and equal justice for all citizens.

(President Ali took off on a junket to Canada, attending concerts, opening a Mandir, addressing an audience of mostly Middle East Muslims – trying to win over the Canadian constituency?). Ali’s PR folks advance the rights of the accused: make references to trial by a mob, public lynching. Well, a Minister accused of rape and sodomy by a teenaged girl will get wall-to-wall coverage by media in any society. That’s what O.J. Simpson’s charge for murder and sensational trial was all about – but there was no public lynching here in Guyana. In fact the accused is still drawing his monthly salary of $US10,000.

Here in Guyana – it appears Minister Dharamlall’s case has been washed out – and this is the reason why citizens are massing on the streets calling for charges to be laid and let there be – as in Simpson’s case – a court trial.

President Ali’s statesmanship and moral performance are under the microscope in how he resolves a serious matter involving an accusation of rape and sodomy made against a Minister in his govt. In the face of a perception of corruption at the level of CPA and/or DPP (Note: Annan Boodram’s reference to a $10 million bribe), I would urge president Ali to avail himself of the DPP file, read it for himself – and make up his own mind as whether the 16-year-old girl’s complaint is credible or not. If he thinks it is credible, he must act to make sure this teenager gets justice in court.

Sincerely,

Mike Persaud

examines, line, Mike Persaud, statesmanship, William Lee Miller

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