Dear Editor,
I could not believe I was seeing and hearing right. The picture on the television screen was an angry head of state literally accusing, threatening and busing out people he thinks are the enemies. The picture on my television screen was Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.
I still do not understand what could have made President Jadgeo so angry that he felt he had to get low down and dirty. No media comment or report should stir a Head of State to such emotional levels, threats and attacks.
Stabroek News was doing their job by investigating and exposing the secret deal the government entered into with Buddy International Hotel. The media should not have been attacked for reporting the truth.
If the President is embarrassed the information became public he should not have entered into the deal in the first place.
Cursing out and threatening Le Meridien Pegasus who never interfered with President Jagdeo sends a bad signal for our fledgling tourist industry and investment climate. The attack on the media is a threat to press freedom. Investors and visitors looking at the television, listening to the radio or reading the newspaper reports would be astonished by the president’s behaviour. There will be raised eyebrows and questions asked about Guyana’s leadership quality and the government’s commitment to press freedom, democracy and foreign investments.
Yours faithfully,
Suresh Ramkellawan
