Dear Editor,
When the PPP/C Government was democratically elected to office in 1992 after 28 years of PNC domination, why didn’t they then initiate an investigation into the weapons issued by the GDF to the Ministry of Mobilization and National Development between 1976 and 1979 when the facts and circumstances were fresh in everyone’s mind and the ink was still wet on the GDF records? Why now after 15 years of PPP/C Government and three successive presidents, all of whom were there in 1992 and 1976 to 1979?
Why not then? Surely the facts as delineated by Clement J. Rohee, Minister of Home Affairs in his recriminatory “expose” in a letter in the Chronicle of Corbin’s statement were fresh in his mind in 1992
My opinion is that Dr. Cheddi Jagan, President-elect, despite his misplaced ideology and political blunders, was at heart an honest and sincere leader who loved his country as much as he loved his people. He realised then that to take any such action aimed at holding the former PNC Government accountable for their misdeeds would have been tantamount to a “witch hunt” that could have only resulted in further tensions and divisiveness among the people which in turn would have made the country ungovernable. His message was “healing” and his mission was to “make everything all right” again. So he let discretion and sound political judgement be the better part of valor.
So why now after 15 years of “restored democracy”and total PPP/C control” of the government machinery? Why the hullabaloo over the discovery of two M 72 guns found in the hands of criminals issued over 28 years ago to the then Ministry of Mobilization and National Development? What about the 30 AK 47 guns that disappeared from the GDF recently, some of which have been found in the possession of criminals?
Right now, the country is seething with crime and the people are terrorised by an unprecendented routine of murders, robbery, assault, rape, domestic violence, child abuse, road carnage, bribery and corruption. It is not unreasonable to ask the Government and in particular Mr Clement J Rohee, Minister of Home Affairs to spend more time and energy to alleviate these atrocities committed against the people and leave the political squabbling to the General Secretary of the PPP.
Besides, we all know what the 28 years of PNC rule was like. If Mr Corbin wants to move forward and rebuild a strong and competitive political party in a democratic environment, he should gracefully admit to the mistakes of the Burnham era or be conveniently silent. So should Mr Hamilton Green, former Prime Minister under the PNC regime.
Reopening old wounds and indulging in the old “blame game” may be convenient politicking for winning an election, but is far too great a price for an already devastated nation to pay. Guyana will never move forward unless the leaders start representing the best interest of the people.
Yours faithfully
Shawn Mangru
