The PPP should and must be given unequivocal support
AS a Guyanese by birth, I have always followed developments on the social, political and economic aspects of my country. I continually observe and make constructive criticisms, where I feel, in my opinion, these need to be addressed.

I have attacked the PNC for its unpatriotic campaign against the government and the majority of peace-loving Guyanese. On the other hand, I have condemned the PPP government for not doing enough in dealing with certain situations, and for constantly bending backwards to accommodate the opposition, hoping to bring changes to the political climate.

From time to time, observing the attitude and actions of some of our so-called political leaders, I have been prompted to predict the path Guyana is heading towards! Since the previous elections, 1997 and 2001, we have witnessed the PNC being able to achieve some of its goals, the main objectives being the maintaining of a tense climate, forcing the PPP government into dialogue and concessions - and if possible "power sharing!"

The PNC has realized that it can no longer hold the reign of government with the PPP working feverishly both economically and politically to push Guyana forward. Today people are disenchanted with the power-sharing recipe, knowing the PNC's "RESUME" of the past.

Let us not forget the era when people were lining up at PNC-controlled stores, then called Knowledge Sharing Institutes (KSI), for half a pint of cooking oil and a loaf of bread, which prompted the massive exodus of the population, making Guyana famous for being the only country in the world today that has more of its people living away from than on its soil!

How can we support a political outfit (PNC) that showed no remorse for condoning the execution of innocent, armless people in their homes, some in front of their wives and children, by criminals whom its supporters termed "freedom fighters", but saw fit to champion the cause of those same criminals, and condemn the police when they are killed?

Let us not forget Dr. Walter Rodney and Father Bernard Darke losing their lives in this process! The PNC is observed having a headache when the country is rolling forward smoothly! It is always looking for an excuse to masquera de, so its thugs can continue to intimidate people who are supportive of the party in power!

The PPP must be given credit for operating under a tense atmosphere, where a section of the population is serious about moving the country forward, while another section (handful) is bent in creating havoc!
Sincerely Yours,
Prakash Dayal
Brooklyn, NY

Wednesday, January 28, 2004

GIHA should come to its senses
I have noted that GIHA has made a call for an 'independent inquiry into the allegations that a government minister had connections with the death squad over the past months.'

Firstly, the only body legally responsible for a trial in this area is the judiciary. That is how it has always been in Guyana.

In addition, I find it strange that GIHA, an Indian-based organization, is now calling for an independent investigation into an allegation that has no firm base.

As of now George Bacchus, the lead witness, in this call for an investigation has not made any statement to the Police on the existence of a 'Death Squad'.

I would think that GIHA would have used this situation to call for independent inquiries into the death of the Enmore Martyrs, the Ballot Box Martyrs or even the killings of the residents of Annandale and dozens of business people and their families during the crime wave by criminals who were given moral support by opposition forces.

This according to my standards only exhibits the docility of this organization, which is supposed to be a vanguard in the fight for the rights of Indians, including the right and freedom not to be killed, raped, torched, robbed, kidnapped and/or beaten, nor to have their properties carjacked or set fire upon.

GIHA executives should explain to its membership why it is calling for an investigation into the existence of a force that allegedly helped to make Guyana a more crime-tolerant society than it was from around February 23, 2002, when the five so-called "freedom fighters" killed one and injured another for life while they were breaking out of the Camp Street jail, until the latter part of last year!

GIHA should really come to its senses.
R. Narine