Features

Features

On Sunday last, our Women’s Page Editor, Ms Savitri Lall died, a tragic death. Born in Essequibo 49 years ago, Ms Lall had been working with the Mirror for 14 years.
As Editor of the Women’s Page, she produced a section of the Mirror which has been greatly admired and widely read.
In the past two years, in particular, her articles have shown her maturity as a writer. Many of the lead articles on the Women’s Page concerned the problems facing women and children, in Guyana and throughout the world.
She took up the cudgels of women’s and children’s rights and with insightful analysis, wrote a series of articles that reflected the growing concern worldwide.
Looking back at some of her outstanding articles, we can only regret that we have lost a journalist of outstanding value, who, despite the lack of recognition of her talents and advocacy, continued in her exposure of the many wrongs taking place in Guyana and elsewhere against children and women.
She gave consistent support to the various agencies, the Ministry of Social Services and UNICEF in their efforts to end violence against women and children.
An unsung heroine of women’s and children’s rights. Mirror pays tribute to Savitri Lall. We wish to express our deepest sympathy to her husband and two children, her mother, brothers and sisters, the rest of the family and to her close friends and her colleagues at the Mirror newspaper.
(JJ)

Rising tension in the Middle East

by Janet Jagan

There still remain doubts about whether or not the Koran was desecrated at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the prison camp which has held some 600 Muslims from Afghanistan and countries of the Middle East for over three years. They have been held in contradiction to all regards for human rights and contrary to the Geneva Convention for prisoners of war. These prisoners have no recourse to lawyers, no rights to trials and cannot see their families.
Whether or not the authorities at Guantanamo desecrated the Koran, the fact is that massive numbers of Muslims the world over believe that the Americans have done this act. The resurgent wave of hate, manifested in anti-American marches and riots in Afghanistan and other Muslim countries is an explosion of anger against the cumulative effects of the military invasion of both Afghanistan and Iraq.
All the promises of a better life for the peoples, “liberated” by the US military, have come to naught. Little money has been spent in Afghanistan, despite the bright promises, life has no improvements for the Afghan people, now saddled with a pro-American president who can scarcely leave the capital city.
The outcome of the Iraq invasion is even worse. Literally tens of thousands of Iraqi citizens have been killed since the US war began. There is no security and people live in constant fear. Despite, 138,000 US troops and huge numbers of Iraqi soldiers and police, the situation seems to worsen daily in Iraq, and particularly in the capital of Baghdad.
The plight of Iraqis has not improved under US occupation. Most of the financial input promised, seems to go to the huge US military budget and the training of Iraqi police and soldiers. Life is no better for the average Iraqi than before the invasion. The brutal dictator is removed, yes, but look what remains!
The Washington big-wigs are deluding themselves that their “freedom” of Iraq and Afghanistan is spreading to other Middle East countries. Condoleezza Rice and George Bush brag that their efforts are bearing fruit. Look at the changes taking place in Lebanon, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, they say, which are a result of the USA’s advocacy of “freedom and democracy.”
But let them take another look at the anti-American wave of protests now going on. How wrong are the protesters about the desecration of the Koran?
Two weeks ago, the US programme “60 Minutes” highlighted a story told by an interpreter at Guantanamo Bay. According to his statements he was present at interrogations by US officials. One of his reports is almost too nasty to relate, but here goes. He told how a woman interrogator tried to use sex to soften the prisoner. She put her hand in her genitals and then rubbed her hand on the prisoner, supposedly making him “unclean”. She did this further (an awful thing to write) during her supposed menstruation, and did the same thing - to humiliate and destroy the prisoner’s self-respect, and soften his resistance. This disgusting practice matches what took place at the Abu Gharib prison in Iraq where prisoners were stripped naked and sexually abused by and in the presence of female officers. Is it any wonder that Muslims are upset over allegations of the defamation of the Koran? The scenario for this was laid by the degrading acts in US-run prisons.
Although Time Magazine of April 25, 2005 was wrong in its assessment that violence in Iraq is reducing, its comments on the US military occupation bear scrutiny: “... the biggest contributor to peace in the area appears to be the shrinking presence of US troops.”

Muzzling The President

Weekly viewpoint
by Robert Persaud

President Bharrat Jagdeo, at his most recent media conference, fielded several questions posed by members of the media on topical issues of national importance.
The President’s responses were succinct and direct. The Guyanese Leader is known for his frank, forthright and accurate speak on matters which affect the functioning of his government and the lives of his fellow citizens. His no-holds barred approach has been lauded. Also, it must be restated that the President does not make statements lightly. These are well-informed and cannot be factually disputed.
There is a political coterie who would want us to forget that Guyana has an Executive President. He is like the Chief Executive Officer of any corporation who is beholden to his constituents - the shareholders. The Executive President is accountable to his constituents - the people of Guyana. They demand of him to account for the progress and also where there are delays in development. Any leader who does otherwise would be shirking his/her responsibility by denying the public the full facts and true picture of any national situation.
The President of Guyana, like that of the United States of America, for example, is expected to get things done, offer leadership to the country and take decisions which matter to ordinary people’s lives. Guyana does not have a titular President who only attends ceremonies and carry out symbolic constitutional functions as exist in some other countries. The Executive President of any country is elected to get things done and done in the best interest of all the people.
The President, due to objective realities and circumstances, would be compelled from time to time to speak out, criticize and yes, state clearly his government’s position.
And expectedly, there will always be certain individuals with vested interest, and groups who may from time to time object to the Head of State’s statements and assertions. That is their right to disagree and even this President will fight to defend their right to disagree with him.
Disagreeing with the President is one thing. But no one should suggest that as President he is not entitled to comment on important national issues and to be candid as he sees fit. The President’s opponents’
position, as articulated by the opposition-controlled Bar Association, the Stabroek News editorial writers and the Channel Nine, 28 and Six talk show hosts, have during the past week been engaging in a vulgar
campaign of bashing.
They deliberately avoid looking at the merits of the President’s statements and argumentation. Instead, they seek to portray the President as being out of order, too brash or too willing to offer a firm and open comment on the issues before him.
The Guyanese public is certainly comfortable with their Leader speaking out on issues that concern them. They want a President who responds to their concerns, one who is prepared to take hard decisions and is ready to face the detractors who would want to stymie progress.
Not surprisingly those who are attempting to muzzle the President share a common agenda. Again, it is their right to take political positions. But too often they masquerade behind the thin veil of objectivity and so-called non-partisanship. And the President, like many others have done, has no hesitation in exposing this dishonesty.
They would prefer to see the President sit on his hands, muted and allow citizens to face the discomfort and hardship so that the Head of State and his government can be accused of being uncaring.
It is important to note that the current campaign to muzzle the President from speaking openly on national issues flows directly from a similar attempt to frustrate his proactive efforts in attending to the needs of all, especially during the recent natural disaster.
Many persons would recall when the President was criticized by the same elements for making sums of money immediately available to provide food, water and shelter to thousands who were affected by the January-February flood. The President’s active involvement in the relief efforts was even constitutionally challenged by those who are now suggesting that he has no right to comment on certain matters.
The President, in preempting his seasoned critics, declared at the same media conference that he would not be muzzled. Guyana deserves strong and decisive leadership. Any Head of State deserving of the office is expected to speak openly and candidly on national issues because the people of this country expect the truth and all the facts.

PNC Intrigues Exposed

by Hydar Ally

I recently came across a document of the 1960s, which exposed the intrigues of the PNC led at the time by Forbes Burnham to rig the election of 1968. The document captioned “ Plans of Guyana Prime Minister Forbes Burnham, Leader of the PNC to Rig the Elections Scheduled for Late 1968 or Early 1969”, spoke of plans by Forbes Burnham to install the PNC in Office by way of recourse to fraudulent measures, among which were the introduction of overseas voting, postal voting and padding of the voters list to reflect a preponderance of PNC supporters.
It may be recalled that Forbes Burnham entered into office by way of a coalition government with Peter d’Aguiar of the United Force in the elections of 1964, contested for the first time under a system of proportional representation. The PPP won the election with some 46% of the votes, but was not allowed to form the government by the Governor. Instead, Burnham and his junior coalition partner, Peter d’Aguiar were allowed to form the government, a blatant miscarriage of justice that proved extremely disastrous to the people of Guyana.
According to a Memorandum from the Special Assistant to President Johnson, Mr. Walter W Rostow, Forbes Burnham, then Prime Minister of Guyana and leader of the People’s National Congress, gave instructions to rig the election scheduled for 1968/1969, in order to permit the PNC to “win” a clear majority. In the elections of December 1964, the PNC won 40.5 % of the votes and the United Force 12.4% as compared to the PPP’s 45.8%.
The memorandum pointed to instructions given by Burnham to limit the registration of East Indians who traditionally supported the PPP and to increase the size of the PNC electorate by registering PNC supporters, mainly of Afro-Guyanese origins, who were between the ages of 17 and 20, although the minimum age for voting at that time was 21. It is important to note that it was the PNC that opposed the lowering of the age of voters from 21 to 18. In addition to manipulation of the voter’s roll, Burnham also gave instructions to write into law the use of proxy voting.
But that was not all. Not satisfied that the above manipulations would see him through, Burnham arranged for overseas voters to vote in the Guyana elections. It mattered little to him that the vast majority of those who migrated left out of a deep sense of frustration and persecution. The “trick” employed by Burnham was to “register” phantom names of overseas Guyanese, mainly in countries of high population densities such as Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.
The necessity to rig the elections emanated out of serious and irreconcilable differences between the PNC and the United Force, principally due to incompetence, corruption, graft and squander mania. The United Force, which was given the Finance Ministry, was openly critical of the mismanagement and corruption practiced by the PNC and objected on several occasions but was being spurned upon.
To a large extent, the blame for the ruinous state of the country under the PNC partly rested with the United Force. That Party, because of its blind hatred for the PPP due to ideological differences, was prepared to join ranks with the PNC only to be unceremoniously kicked out of office a mere three years later. By then, the PNC managed to firmly entrench itself into power through a combination of force and total control over a number of strategic institutions including the army, police and the Elections Commission.
Today, there are fresh attempts to defeat the PPP by way of recourse to a “third force” which in the main is made up of political neophytes whose only claim to prominence resided with their association with one or the other of the established political parties.
I will return to this in my next article.

Guyana History Notebook
Men and matters -- Guided by the press

Compiled
by Odeen Ishmael

This week’s edition of Guyana History Notebook was published in Thunder 27 February 1960 and shows how Forbes Bunham attempts to distort the PPP position on independence. Burnham was at that period strongly against independence for Guyana.

On February 6, Leader of the Majority Party, Dr. Cheddi Jagan held his weekly press conference. The Chronicle, which manages only with the greatest difficulty to give accurate versions of anything the PPP does and says, reported that the PPP Leader had retreated from the stand for independence. So ridiculous was the fabrication that there was none of the dramatic effect among the people, which the Chronicle undoubtedly hoped for.
Credit will however go to the Chronicle for claiming one silly victim in no less a person than L.F.S. Burnham, PNC leader. Mr. Burnham who seemed only too anxious to have a bigger and more impressive company following him on his lonely road back, triumphantly announced to his listeners over a pre recorded BGBS broadcast that he had heard that the PPP was now asking for mere internal self government, just like the PNC. What the PNC leader was doing was faithfully following the lead of the Chronicle.
With more originality, Mr. Burnham would probably cut a less pitiable public figure. Had this been the whole story Mr. Burnham might have been spared humiliation of being publicly caught spreading the distortions manufactured by the press. Actually the PNC leader’s broadcast had been immediately preceded by a similar pre-recorded broadcast by the PPP leader. Neither Dr. Jagan nor Mr. Burnham could have known what the other would have said in his talk. As it was, Dr Jagan had just concluded his talk on the constitutional proposals, and he left his radio audience with a clear picture of the PPP’s determination to pursue the objective of immediate independence.

Bowman Again
Now that Fred Bowman is on his own, his tongue is no longer tied by the “stalinist dictatorship” of the PPP. It is on the loose, and what a trail it is leaving.
Of late he has become a student of history, but he appears to encounter great difficulty in returning from the past. Recently be was debating on a bill which had already been passed a full week before in the Legco.
On February 19 speaking on his motion on Freehold and Leasehold, he dug deep into the history of land tenure. After subjecting his fellow legislators to an aimless dissertation on land tenure history in Britain, he arrived at the conclusion that the PPP wants to set up a state of feudalism. It would appear that Bowman has lost all contact with Mr. Beharry for the latter would certainly have tried to insist on Bowman that he shouldn’t retreat from their original charge that the PPP is trying to “communize” the lands of the people. But then again Mr. Bowman wouldn’t know the difference between feudal land tenure relations which presently appears in many parts of the country, and the leasehold policy which aims to protect farmers from feudal exploitation.

To London
Is it not rather ironic and amusing that there are some in Guiana today who are trying hard to go back to the past while the Colonial Office appears to make as great an effort to catch up with the present?
The Colonist Office is learning and accepting the fact that progressive are in the ascendancy.
So the little babies in this county clamouring for the attention of the “great white father” are being disappointed when the Colonial Office or the Governor is forced to keep up with the times and to pay less attention to their wailing.
Now undergoing this experience is the much-publicized PNC “Constituent Assembly”. It is now licking its wounds, being refused an audience with the Colonial Secretary.
But why should the “Assembly” worry isn’t the PNC leader going to London with the same purpose to plead with the Colonial Office to delay independence?

bmitted by May 9 2005.

Dr Roger Luncheon’s weekly post-cabinet briefing

Independence Activities
Cabinet has identified those Ministers who would officiate at flag raising ceremonies in different parts of the country. The traditional hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead coincides with Independence Day May 26 and is normally arranged to take place by midnight of the preceding day.
Addressing his regular press conference last week Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon said that Culture & Sports Minister Gail Teixeira had briefed Cabinet on activities and programmes associated with this year - the 39th Anniversary of Independence.
“There will be a segment that will move off from the Botanic Gardens” involving a costume parade. Originally the idea was to include a float element but adjustments were made. According to Minister Teixeira the activities had been decided on through consultations with stakeholders. One such was that the costume parade (that will feature music systems and road tramp) would get underway at 3:00 pm. Secondary School exam students who would have important tests on that day would thus be able to participate.
The parade would proceed to the National Park where “a programme of stage shows” and cultural variety would comprise that segment Dr Luncheon said.

Schedule of Activities
According to a GINA Bulletin a number of events “leading to Independence Day May 26 have been agreed these are ‘national’ events. And the timetable reads:
* Steel pan competition at the newly renovated and refurbished National Cultural Center for two days - May 21, 22.
* Masquerade competition at Leguan, May 22 (Essequibo Islands - Region 3)
* Exhibition at the National Museum (top floor), which will be launched May 23 2005.
* Flag raising ceremony planned for the National Park, Thomas Lands on May 25 as is normal for the main Region 4 flag rising arrangements are in place in the event of inclement weather or heavy rains.

Contracts
At its most recent session of May 16 2005 Cabinet offered its “no objection” to the award of contracts in the Sea Defence and Education sectors. A major infrastructural works identified for Region 2 and 3 (Supenaam-Pomeroon and Essequibo Islands/West Demerara sub-regions) will culminate in a contract estimated as $3.6B.
These works are being effected under a jointly funded GoG and EuroUnion Agreement. Four miles of works are envisaged. Two miles from Colombia to Capoey and in the next (Region 3) two miles of work from Dekinderen-Hague.
The other contract specifies that the purchase of radios, compact discs and other equipment (electronic) under the Basic Education Access & Management Support (BEAMS) projection worth $7.7M will be authorized. This Dr Luncheon noted would be for use in some 400 odd primary schools to enhance and aid students work in these institutions.

Crime Update
Responding to a media query last week the HPS observed that the recent phase of crime-related engagements has seen the heightened reaction of the security forces, the Guyana Police Force. This has led to incidents at Buxton where patrols and routine investigative work by the Tactical Unit of the GPF had had confrontations and shot wanted criminal gunmen.
One of these incidents involved a confrontation with Delon Woodruff, who was on criminal investigation files and wanted for the murder of Keon Abrahams, an ex-GDF rank. During the course of the shootout with the Buxton gunmen seven policemen were injured when an open back pick up transporting a group of policemen came under fire, ran out of control and into the trench that lines Church of God Road, Buxton.
The Cabinet Secretary said that the GPF remained undaunted and had (re)stated their intention to continue their operation until the criminals have been rid of in the Buxton Backdam related area of the East Coast Demerara.

Deputy Commissioner visits injured ranks
The HPS also confirmed that the armoured jeep used in last week’s confrontation was one of two, which had arrived some months ago as a form of assistance to the National Security sector from Indian authorities.
Meanwhile Deputy Commissioner of Police Henry Greene in a televised interview from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, expressed the GPF’s concern over the health and recovery of those of the injured who remained hospitalized. He also reiterated that “there would be no easing off by the ranks as the force was determined to rid Buxton of criminals.”
Dr Luncheon confirmed the relevant authorities had been kept informed as to those trends in the crime situation generally; and more specifically that of Buxton.

Clarification of Administration’s position on OPS Advisor
The HPS clarified what he termed an unfortunate incident. The position of the Administration regarding the incident - the heart attack suffered by Presidential Advisor Kellawan Lall following the demise of his wife Savitri - was one tempered by the facts. He pointed out that the “rumour mill” had been activated claiming that Mr Lall’s condition is related to the demise of his spouse. This could not be substantiated.
Mr Lall has served the Administration as a Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs since 1992. Four Presidents had benefited from his work including Dr Cheddi Jagan who retained him close to Cabinet.
Over this period of years there must have been (domestic) discord but, he doubted whether that (discord) had any connection with what transpired resulting in Mr Lall’s admission to a local medical hospital.
Additionally, the couple had been married for years prior to 1992 when Mr Lall worked as a journalist with the Mirror newspaper. “But because of the vitriol that has poured out from (sections of) the media...the less said on this matter would be better.”
Ms Savitri Lall was buried on Friday May 20. Mr Lall ha recovered and is performing light duties.

Flood Recovery Update: RPIS Activities
During the course of last week the first batch of farmers to receive Government sourced compensatory packages, to assist their recovery from the severe January/February floods, were presented with cheques.
The Recovery Planning and Implementation Secretariat (RPIS) has also issued by way of public notice, an appeal period for household assistance. This is to enable persons who were affected but who were unable to register for the household Recovery Package, to have that opportunity.
The period for this appeal is 21 May to 28 May 2005.
Last week Dr Luncheon said RPIS Co-ordinator Robeson Benn “had given an undertaking to distribute by (the 21-22 May the cheques for rice/livestock farmers and small business operators. In certain instances these payments will be accompanied by the provision of bags of seed paddy.
In that context (of a time frame) the procedure for inquires, complaints and additional verification had been suspended.
The HPS also noted that within the East Coast Demerara sub-region the household grant payments of $10, 000 had been completed. The process is well advanced along the East Bank Demerara (Region 4) as well as in Region 3 and 5.
It is intended by the Secretariat that after the process of distribution has been completed (then) the Secretariat will address those omissions etc that would have occurred during the early period of the exercise. This focus will continue beyond May 22 2005.
Dr Luncheon further noted that about $5-10M would have been considered as a RPIS budgetary allocation or provision. He opined that in terms of Administrative costs the Finance/Accounting mechanism had been vested with an “Audit trial” thereby ensuing accountability and regulatory compliance.
Also, he stated that Administrative costs of the entire Flood Recovery Programme had been met by means of an Imprest Account, authorized by Cabinet and the Ministry of Finance. There were initial estimates of $50M (Guy); but as so often is the case, adjustment had to be considered.
“At the end of the exercise should the need exist, the Administration would have to seek Parliamentary approval for the access and utilization of additional funds.
Responding to queries the HPS cited the overall capital estimation of the economic damage wrought by the January-February 2005 food storms, which had been made by ECLAC.
He said that of the major programme allocation $700M had formulated the basis of the Administration’s Recovery Programme. By the end of the process the PPP/C would announce the distribution of the $1.4B(Guy) in flood recovery compensation and assistance.
Early last week Secretariat Co-ordinator Robeson Benn had announced that the Cheque distribution programme would be completed by May 22.