Cabinet expresses concern about sexual assault crimes

Speaking at his weekly news conference yesterday Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr Roger Luncheon declared: "Cabinet noted with much concern the increasing resort of the bandits to sexual assault. Cabinet's view was the motive behind this was terror, a cold calculated move to torment individuals, families and communities."

These recent developments is seen by cabinet as part of a campaign designed to quickly heighten social tension in the face of lack luster public responses to the opposition People's National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) machinations over the death squad allegations.

"The poverty of that approach lies in the most likely negative reactions by the members of those besieged communities to the appeal of the opposition PNC/R being made at the same time that terror is being implanted in the communities," the HPS asserted.

U.S. visa rumour unfounded - Ambassador Bullen
UNITED States Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Roland Bullen, has indicated to the People's Progressive Party (PPP) that the rumor being circulated by some sections of the media that some PPP Central Committee members may have had their United States of America visas revoked, is unfounded.

The PPP in a statement yesterday said it usually ignores rumours being circulated by the "spit press" and even some sections of the media.

The party, however, said that in a column of Kaieteur News of March 31, it was rumoured that members of the PPP Central Committee might have had their U.S. visas revoked for signing a public statement disputing a newspaper assertion made by Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, or for some other reason.

"This, the latest in a stream of rumours, is being peddled by mischievous elements in the media and certain other forces to sow dissent and confusion among the ranks of the party," the PPP posited.

In this regard, the PPP is calling on certain media houses and columnists to desist from peddling rumours and false information.

The General Secretary of the party, Mr. Donald Ramotar, brought the Kaieteur News column to the attention of the U.S. Ambassador, who indicated that, "the rumour is unfounded".

A questionable political motive
RAVI Dev's political motive needs questioning! At the PNC/R's 'Rule of Law' march he said that, "those who profess to care about Guyana should put up or shut up."

This presentation itself would put Ravi Dev in that category of Guyanese who should shut up.

In his presentation, Ravi Dev confessed that his march co-sponsor, the PNC/R, completely ignored an agreed agenda to account for the violence against Indians in their march. He also called for an investigation into the organized banditry of Indians since 1998.

Ravi Dev further stated that the existence of the 'Death Squad' follows directly from the violence against Indians. He also spoke about the violence that emanated from Buxton into Annandale.

Wow! Here is a man who confesses that there should be investigation into violence against Indians (resulting from PNC/R political tactics), justifies the role of the 'Death Squad' as protecting Indians from "organized banditry," and brands the PNC/R as being deceitful, yet rallying with the same people who epitomize the 'Break Down of the Rule of Law.'

His attitude toward the march was yet another example of him insulting the intelligence of Indians in Guyana. Indians of Guyana are smarter than Ravi Dev thinks.

If Ravi Dev doesn't have a solution he should shut up!
B. Premchand

Crocodile tears
Why is Ravi shedding Crocodile tears! In the March 28, 2004 edition of the Kaiteur News Ravi Dev presented an article that portrayed him as sympathetic to victims of crime on the East Coast of Demerara.

This article is basically a blatant appeal to the emotions so that people would not sink this 'two-faced' cult for his deceitfulness to Indians of Guyana.

The fact: The Kidnapping Bill that was presented by the PPP in parliament around June 2002 was severely opposed by Ravi Dev. This Bill was tabled at a time when Indians were facing the brunt of the new crime of Kidnapping in Guyana.

In a Chronicle February 25th 2003 article ROAR leader, Ravi Dev highlighted his party's request for the disbandment of the Target Special Squad (TSS).

ROAR's Recommendation to the Discipline Forces Commission, August 4th 2002 stated: 'The GDF must be explicitly depoliticized and civilian authority should not extend into its operational parameters. Army intelligence should not be permitted to operate within Guyana civilian population'.

In a Stabroek News 06.19.02 article Raphael Trotman said 'the PNCR is concerned that the military has been activated to the point of encamping in villages along the East Coast Demerara.'

These concerns were raised in light of the Joint Army/Police operation along the East Coast.

ROAR has taken consistent position with the PNC on the structure of governance, the operations of the police force, the use of the army in the fight against crime and efforts to punish criminals that jeopardizes political stability in Guyana.

This gimmick of visiting a victim of violence on the East Coast would not blur the thinking of Indians as to Ravi Dev's true political motives.
Yours truly,
S. Deodat

Information Liaison to the President Robert Persaud and the HPS Dr. Roger Luncheon at yesterday's press conference.

Indians Under Siege in Guyana NA Hospital  Nascimento Dr. Singh Kumar