Norton and Blinken

Jul 10, 2023 Editorial

Editorial…

Kaieteur News – It is a certainty that Opposition Leader Norton had plenty to pack in his time with US Secretary of State Blinken. It is a positive that the Opposition Leader was fitted into Mr. Blinken’s crowded calendar in what was a whistlestop. Encouraging is the fact that from reports coming out of the meeting between the Guyanese and the American, with Ambassador Lynch watching closely was that it was “cordial.” Cordial is always the best way in the flow of conversations which, of necessity, has to be candid and tough. More is achieved by cordiality that leads to healthy conversations, and some meeting of the minds, however limited.

It is also a certainty that Opposition Leader Norton had much to say, a huge mouthful, but which courtesy and etiquette restrained him from dumping the Guyana bathtub, dirty water and all, in the lap of Mr. Blinken. There is the issue of media access imbalance, and another of economic disparity in the sharing of the national oil patrimony. In terms of the latter, Mr. Norton’s points had to be how one segment of the population is isolated and blocked from participating in the distribution of the rich and growing economic pie. It is a matter of urgent concern, one of intensifying tension, and which would gain a sympathetic nod from Mr. Blinken, if only because he would have been privy to such realities, as contained in diplomatic dispatches from here. It could explain why Secretary Blinken himself found it necessary to speak to the need for inclusion across the board in Guyana before.

It would be surprising if the Opposition Leader did not table his alarms over what many interpreted to be extrajudicial killings by the Guyana Police Force. Plus, repeated violations of the law that benefit close friends and associates of the PPP/C Government. But, in contrast, all the stops are pulled out unfairly to target perceived opponents of the government, or those who take it to task over blatant excesses that tamper with the rights of citizens. Further, it is fair to expect that the Opposition Leader would have been quick to let Mr. Blinken know that his political group represents close to half of the electorate, and that his umbrella party would be a better, cleaner, and brighter alternative to a corrupt PPP/C Government cabal. With partisan political passions so sharp, national elections so fiercely contested, and the results so razor thin, the probability of unrest and instability looms large. Still further, when claims and counterclaims of electoral fraud are fused to unmoving perceptions of inequity in wealth distribution, there is a combustible mix right below the surface in the local environment. None of this, not one of the planks of simmering Guyanese sentiments can be comforting to Mr. Blinken, given the range of American business and other interests here.

It is our belief, that all of these burning issues plus a few more, would have made up Mr. Norton’ briefcase of high priority concerns in his discussion with Secretary Blinken. Some may think that Mr. Blinken is the best audience that he could have, for the simple reason that the power to influence material outcomes is well-known and undeniable. For our part, we agree to a point that it helps more than it hurts to present to Mr. Blinken the reality of Guyana behind the official gloss and the PPP Government’s public relations machinery. Having said this, the best possible approach, for the best likely outcome for Guyanese, has to be when the President of Guyana and Guyana’s Opposition Leader sit down in the same room, huddle around the same table, and have frank exchanges on the exact same issues that Mr. Norton likely articulated to Mr. Blinken.

What we have are Guyanese problems impacting the Guyanese people. We think that it is the height of commonsense and native wisdom for Guyanese minds and hearts to come up with Guyanese solutions. When national leaders on opposing sides cannot even converse then this country and its peoples are in a bad place. Talking past one another, or through intermediaries, helps, but only to a limited degree. It is imperative, therefore, that the bridge of conversation be built and walked across.

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