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In 2020, US to Granger, no – in 2025, US to Jagdeo – go
Hard Truths column…
By GHK Lall
Kaieteur News – Elections are heavy on the heads of Guyanese. They have clashing recollections of “free and fair” and democracy on the ground. In recalling the dogged energies and powerful determination of the US in the last elections, I ponder what were probably behind those. So, here goes.
For one, the 2020 elections were a replay of the old Cold War practice of replacing governments seen as obstacles or threats. Ideology and spheres of influence were not the determining factors. Money was, is. Line up local assets, such as the commercial sector, sections of the media, the labour movement. Civil society did its part, while religious bodies aided from a distance. Some speak of people power. It was all about the money. The Granger government made matters easy by its clumsy, comical operations to undermine the electoral process, rearrange the outcome.
The Yanks sensed that Pres. Granger was agitated by the 2016 oil contract signed by his government. The mere whiff of that had the ABCE folks running to Jagdeo. Plus, the unprecedented, an ambassador engaging the GDF High Command. Necessary, so that nobody in the army got any ideas, rocked the free and fair speedboat. One fear dealt with frontally back then was to quash the David Granger loyalty factor where such existed. Foreign ambassadors don’t meet so daringly with top local army people.
Whatever Granger’s temperature signaled; the Americans weren’t taking any chances. Out goes he! Provide a better cover story than free and fair and democracy must prevail? In Bharrat Jagdeo, there was a local, who would anything (including donating the right side of his brain for morbid studies) to recover power. And then do the same, this time the left side, to stay in its corridors. Hasn’t he been the best example of this, to date? Haven’t the Yanks had a history of always finding an abettor in whichever environment they covet, always finding some fine fellow with a barterer’s mentality?
Now try this. I recall my surprise at being invited by then Canadian High Commissioner, Excellency Lillian Chatterjee, to chat about what I didn’t know (‘mutual interest’). It turned out to be the obligations of Canada to Canadian citizens, when they’re distress, call for help. It was a tactful sharing intended to convince me that the escorting, spiriting out, of Mr. Charrandass ‘No Confidence’ Persaud through Guyana’s airport protocols was duty only. Potential threats to his person were neutralized by a senior presence from the High Commission. Why tell me, a nobody? But there it was, no screw slack, not one stray feather left unattended. Message delivered. Mission accomplished. I stand skeptical, critical.
Unsurprisingly, some Guyanese get heated when I diminish the power of the ballot box, nod in the direction of the ABCE countries, and how they alter local histories. Think Guyana’s elections. Why? They didn’t know, didn’t want to get caught offside, by a second term David Granger experiencing contract remorse. He had to go. And, of course, the Coalition turned out be its own worst enemy, Guyana’s Gang that just couldn’t shoot straight.
Think again. Since when does America care so much about political brawls between black people (pick all colours that please) that a Secretary of State had to be dispatched to GT, to read riot acts to the PNC and company, and warn from then President Granger to whoever in his party about pariahs and sanctions? Guyanese should recall that all of that happened under a president from the Democratic Party, Joe Biden. Dr. Cheddi Jagan was ousted for his Marxist bent by a Democrat, President John Kennedy. Imagine if was a Republican, a Richard Nixonian chap. Just think of Dr. Salvador Allende of Chile.
Having said the above, the stage is well-greased for this year’s election contest that has already petered out into a nonevent. The bargain that Bharrat Jagdeo sealed with the Americans guarantees his political longevity, notwithstanding all that is dirty about the PPP Government. Note how not a single PPP member of standing now never finds a hair out of place with what they used to denounce vehemently. It’s the Granger government executed 2016 oil contract. The oil contract is Exxon. Exxon is America. The PPP is for Exxon. Therefore, America is for the PPP to return when school reopens. It isn’t the old Cold War. It’s the New American World Order. Once Jagdeo was for sanctity (and still is), as he likely promised when in opposition, he and the PPP have a US guarantee of staying right where they are in September. Jagdeo may walk back his words given to Guyanese. He is never so reckless, to walk back commitments given to Americans. Perhaps, American movers, shakers, and doers, such as the resourceful Sarah Ann Lynch and Mike Pompeo may want to write separate memos on this.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
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Weekend Cartoon
When I first read that the PPP had paid for the Services of an American Lobbying firm,I said to myself…”That’s IT!”
Friends of course Didn’t agree
How the World works 101!?????