Dear Editor,
Once I get the tape and study it, I shall write something about what, from excerpts in the media, appears to have been a most remarkable address by the political leader of the PNM to a Special Convention of his party on June 21. Even the Gleaner in far-off Jamaica found his speech “to be almost condescending, capable, despite his claim to the contrary, of fuelling those who ascribe to Mr. Manning imperial ambitions.” But I shall come to that in due course. For the moment, I should like to touch on one aspect of the Prime Minister’s statement of June 24 to Parliament on what he called the “contribution [that Trinidad and Tobago] can make at this time to [the] economic wellbeing [of some Caricom countries].” In this connection, he spoke of possible collaborative efforts with Jamaica, Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Dominica.
But now President Jagdeo of Guyana has used the same word as the Gleaner – “condescending” – to describe this latest foray of Mr Manning’s into regional diplomacy. And when I read the penultimate paragraph of his remarks I have to agree. This is what the paragraph says: “Mr. Speaker, these are initiatives being contemplated by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, and we propose to enter into appropriate discussions with the governments concerned to see if these approaches are acceptable to them” (my emphasis). Only one logical construction can be put upon those words: Manning is publicly suggesting projects in Caricom countries which have not yet been discussed with, let alone approved by, the governments of those countries. And in making the suggestions in Parliament, he is seeking to provide a patina of governmental respectability. Elementary courtesy aside, isn’t it in any case for the governments concerned to take the lead in indicating what their priorities for development are? Can you imagine Gordon Brown announcing in the House of Commons projects for France or Germany that Nicolas Sarkozy or Angela Merkel don’t know about?
Manning’s approach is more than condescending; indeed, it verges on the colonial. But then, who knows, perhaps this is what “political and economic union,” as seen by him, really entails.
Yours faithfully,
Reginald Dumas
Manning is mentioned in an edition of the Trindadian Guardian as being snobbish and even contemptuous of the recent Indian Arrival celebrations in that country.
Thus, either he is naturally condescending or he simply becomes that way when a certain ethnic group requires his humanitarian intervention.
Blackstage, your comments have causes me to stop, think and re-read coverage of the Barbados story. Wait, wait, wait, Guyana’s reaction to the immigration problem in Barbados is an racial thing? I am zeroing on what I have read over the last weeks and putting the pieces together. Oh, Oh, the picture becomes clear now. So this is why we are reading the daily commitment of Stabroek news and comments by Norman Faria, President Jagdeo and Shridath Ramphal. The strategy is becoming clearer. You know, I did ask someone why SN is so committed to this issue and there are so much problems in Guyana which I have never seen the papers so bullish, save and except for the advertisment withdrawal.
But why, oh, why did I think the media intention was driven by universal concerns. These people are even getting non-Indians to join the attack on Barbados and Prime Minister Thompson.
So these people want Barbados to go easy on illegal immigrants and open its door in the name of integration because it is of greater benefit to a group. They do not care if the law is broken or overcrowded Barbados mash up in the process and become another Guyana, once they let Indians roam free and do as they please…Lord have mercy. I wonder if Thompson knows what a mess he got himself into. These people got a 28 years legacy. They know how to cry foul, victim, bad-mouth and curse you out till they get what they want. Pray, help Little England.
Bloggers if the government and Stabroek covering this story because to them it is a racial thing they only making the situation worse. Here’s why: Jagdeo got to respond to allegations and reported incidents of African racism at home. If his government do not (and I feel they will not) Barbadians will feel more than justified to get Indians out of the island either in respond to the treatment meted out to Africans in Guyana or for fear that the racism spread to Barbados. Can you blame Thompson and Barbadians for standing with him.
Guyana’s racial problem is a mess. It stinks to high heaven. Who in their right mind wanted it spread to other parts of the region.
SN in the name of freedom of expression, please let my comments be carried.
check all the accounts of story that stabroek is carrying and you will see who they are.
Mr Dumas, I think that you totally misunderstood what Mr Manning was trying to convey.
I think Mr. Dumas is like the set of people that PM Thompson talks about: Those who will try to milk the last drop of emotional blood from an issue for their own selfish end. What the hell does Jagdeo knows about being condesending when he is the most contemptuous leader in caricom? You are right if it was some other country like China or India we would not hear a sound. Let Jagdeo answer if ALL the Chinese investments projects in Guyana were requested by his government.
These are Trinidadian investments in the region (there is no free lunch Jagdeo which your mendecant approach to Guyana’s development is based on). And it is he who shouts at the top of the Rorima that caricom is on sound footing…..
Would the reaction be different if the intention to invest in economic ventures came from the Government of China? India? I think not.
If Trinidad is declaring itself able and willing to help itself and other regional countries economically, good for all of us.
If we harbour hurt feelings over the matter, maybe it’s just a sign of our immaturity and backwardness.
Please, carry on Mr Manning.
Correction: I meant to say I suspect the reaction WOULD be different.
i have to go visit “C’beantalk” ,, to get the gist of what is parleyed here abt ,, dis present day “DOC” fum t’dad !…..
Reginald why dont you tell us when Jagdeo says there is no need for a roger Khan investigation or he doesn’t see criminality in the clico debacle is he being condescending or is he patronizing the citizens of this country?
Samaroo, u’re so right.
I have applied for a piece of land to no avail despite having the means to contribute to societal development.
I’ve tried so many times for years to get piece of the dear land of Guyana.
And yet there are folks that have so many pieces of land or even a piece and to date, no homes were build not mentioning low income lots to folks who put up multi million dollar homes on these lots.
Can i really get a piece of land MR. PRESIDENT?
Julian I applied to the president to get a hotel loan similar to the one he gave to buddy to build that hotel but I am not getting a reply, my first proposal was to get the same identical loan and repay with free hotel rooms to the govt but since I got no response I upped the ante and added 2 free egg ball wid each room. Still no response I am terribly dismayed that the prezzo wouldn’t give me dis hotel loan man.