The new bombshell allegations about government’s involvement with confessed drug trafficker Roger Khan warrant nothing less than a full inquiry by an independent international tribunal, according to AFC Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan.
He told Stabroek News yesterday that in the light of the allegations that implicate local government and law enforcement officials, any investigation should be conducted by independent tribunal that could be composed with the assistance of Caricom and Commonwealth with the involvement of some local persons like Chief Justice Ian Chang. “If we can spend $25 million on a reward, we can spend money to ensure that this aspect of our history accurately written by an international commission of men and women,” he said, while expressing doubt given the current posture towards calls for other investigations. He said the government’s recent attitude towards the international community indicates that it is laying the groundwork to rebuff international help as attempts to interfere in sovereign affairs. (Last week PPP/C MP, Gail Teixeira denounced what she described as donor countries’ interference in Guyana’s internal affairs, citing a letter from the donor community weighing in on local government reform.)
Ramjattan explained that the testimony at the trial of US attorney Robert Simels has provided “cogent, convincing and compelling” evidence of an alleged link between the government and Khan. What is more, he emphasised that even if Simels were found not guilty, the prosecution and the defence as well as an independent witness have presented “indisputable” evidence implicating the PPP/C government and Health Minister Leslie Ramsammy in Khan’s illegal activities here.
On Thursday, Peter Myers, the co-founder of UK firm Smith Myers testified in a New York court that the cellular intercept equipment used by Khan had been sold to the Government of Guyana, a contention that officials here had repeatedly denied. Meanwhile, another witness, Selwyn Vaughn, who claims to have been a member of Khan’s gang, has testified that Khan met the minister. Minister Ramsammy has repeatedly denied the claims, which have prompted calls for him to step down, while government spokesmen have dismissed calls for an investigation as premature in advance of the conclusion of the trial.
But Ramjattan said the government is employing delaying tactics to avert an investigation, since any conclusion to the trial would not challenge the witnesses’ testimony. In particular, he cited the evidence of Myers, whom he described as an independent witness. He added that while Vaughn might have an interest to serve, the veracity of his testimony would have been authenticated by the polygraph tests prior to his even taking the witness stand. “That three different sets of people have set out to frame this hardworking and poor minister is ludicrous,” he declared.
He added that instead of public denials the minister could also communicate with the court through a lawyer to give notice of his intention to refute the testimony given so far.
Ramjattan said too that the country had previously had a glimpse of what has emerged during the trial, which only serves now to provide further evidence of the government’s complicity with Khan. He said that the identification of the intercept equipment allegedly used by Khan for surveillance here suggests that both the government and the Commissioner of Police Henry Greene have been misleading the people. “It tarnishes the government,” Ramjattan said, “And their denials are natural because they have been caught with their pants down.”
To protest the government’s failure to address concerns raised by the trial, the parliamentary opposition withheld participation from the National Assembly on Thursday. They also staged protests. While the AFC boycotted the sitting entirely, the main opposition PNCR and GAP-ROAR walked out after Speaker Ralph Ramkarran disallowed an application by Opposition Leader Robert Corbin for an urgent debate on the recent testimony of Vaughn. Corbin also sought to have the Assembly approve a motion calling for Interpol to be invited to probe the allegations.
Ramjattan said there had been no talks with the PNCR but he did not exclude the possibility of a joint parliamentary opposition response in the light of the “extreme” implications of the allegations. However, he noted that the AFC executive would ultimately have to make a decision.
Stabroek News was unable to contact Corbin yesterday for a comment on his party’s plans.
Outraged at the allegations, the AFC has called on Ramsammy to immediately step aside to facilitate a full blown independent international commission of inquiry into the allegations, which also link Khan to the deaths of political activist Ronald Waddell and boxing coach Donald Allison. Further, in the light of the testimony the party has withdrawn its participation in the National Assembly. “The disclosures made by the self confessed murderer have revealed that there is more than adequate ‘prima facie evidence’ available upon which criminal charges can be instituted against persons in Guyana,” the party said on Wednesday, adding that Commissioner Greene has a constitutional duty to act as Chief Law Enforcement Officer to investigate the murders of Waddell and Allison.
THE PPP,GOVERNENT WILL NOT DO THAT, THEY ACT LIKE THEY ARE NOT ANSWER TO THE VOTERS THAT PUT THEM THERE IN THE FRIST PLACE,WE THE PEOPLE OF GUYANA MUST HOLD THIS GOVERNMENT TO ACCOUNT AN OF ALL THESE ALLEGATIONS THAT ARE LAID ON THEM,AN THEY SHOULD AN MUST HAVE AN INQUIRY ON THIS MATTER,INDEED THIS IS AN SERIOUS ALLEGATION THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESS .
If Corbin had any decency, he would join a combined opposition to boycott parlaiment. If the opposition is calling for an International Tribunal to investigate the govt, in a democracy the govt is not in a position to refuse.
And this thing about others interferring in Guyana’s internal affairs or not respecting Guyana’s soverienty is right out of Burnham’s playbook. This is deja vouz all over again, except that Burnham never compromised the national security of Guyana by rubbing shoulders with Drug Cartels. He could, but he didn’t, so folks, finally I think we’ve met someone worst than Burnham.
i think this moderator IS A, AFEECEE OR PNC MEMBER, using the AXE on any thing i say about crabin or the back bencher ramjatan.
No Free Speech here either. SN axes my blogs also when it involves AFC. I wanted to tell Ramjattan to get lost.
This paper does not allow you to say anything negative about the AFC. Seems as if they are controlling the direction of this discussion. UNFAIR.
Whappen chronicle and Guyanatimes dont allow you to mek anti AFC sentiments? no? awwww poor babies…. the newspaper wont allow your comments awww….. so sad…..
I support ramjattan’s call for international investigation into the roger khan’s saga and the govt involvement, but knowing the ppp govt it will never happens, only if the international communities force them to by widrawing funds that they promised to give for development.
I am sugesting that ALL opposition leaders should send mails to the leaders of international bodies informing of the situation in guyana along with clippings of the BREAKING NEWS I am quite sure that many are not aware of it as yet because its not on CNN. the opposition leaders should be working at the moment with the representatives of the DONER COUNTRIES that TEIXEIRA insulted,Human Rights org.and the United Nation to have their associates internationally involved.Letters to Prime Ministers,Presidents,Queens and Kings use every possible source. GUYANA IS IN DIRE NEED OF HELP!!!!
THE DUTCH ROYALS ARE VERY VERY SYMPATHETIC AND OUR MINISTERS ARE VERY UNDERSTANDING THEY WILL LISTEN TO YOUR GRIEVANCES
GET TO WORK OPPOSITIONS>>>>TIME TO SHOW YOUR LOYALTY
I completely agree. It is part of a broader procedure that needs to be followed. When Corbin was accused of assault, he was asked to step down and facilitate a DPP probe. When Gajraj was accused of links to Axel Williams and the Phamtom squd, he was asked to step down to facilitate a commission of inquiry. Now that Ramsammy’s name has surfaced in a US court as being associated with a drug baron’s nefarious activities, he should step down to facilitate an inquiry. And because of the international nature of the charges, an international panel of investigators should be set up. It may not be what the government wants, but that’s what the circumstances demand. The AFC has to write letters to Caricom, Commonwealth, and the UN chronicling these developments so Jagdeo’s peers would know whom they are dealing with, and not just some so-called climate conscious pioneer.
All opposition leaders should get involved to give this issue international attention (its not on CNN) PERSONAL e-mails should be sent to leading bodies along with clippings of the BREAKING NEWS
I concur. Now here comes the bleating sheep calling for investigation of 28 years of P.N.C. rule. If that is necessary to expose these thugs I say “go for it”. Corruption and malfeasance of this magnitude has never visited Guyana before.
Bora: “Now here comes the bleating sheep calling for investigation of 28 years of P.N.C. rule.”
Ramjattan was in favor of the Cheddi Jagan promised change in 1992 but when Janet Jagan and her cabal shortchanged the nation by giving us Bharrat Jagdeo in 1998, it turned that instead of a change from the PNC’s old way of governing to the PPP’s new way of governing, we ended up with an exchange or more of the same, and in some instances, worse. What we need to know is how is the PPP regime faring relative to its promise of change in the way government is run, not relative to the PNC’s 28 year misrule. If you guys keep using the PNC’s failure as a rule to measure the PPP’s performance, we are looking at a combined 45 years of the same foolishness.
Oops! My bad Bora! Just ignore my 9.00 am blog in response to yours.
Bora , it seems to me that the PPP , PNC and the AFC are all tainted political parties in Guyana . My conclusion is that Guyana is not only a failed state but it is also hopeless . President Jagdeo said that he will not lose any sleep if the criminals in Guyana kill each other (sic). Guyana has much to offer to the drug lords of South America who uses the country as a gateway for illegally drugs to many countries . Many criminals are carrying out their nefarious activities in Guyana and the police are not very successful in apprehending them .
“Where there is no vision , the people perish” .
Dandy Andy: A little quick on the draw, huh. It’s Sunday morning.
Wiggins,
According to you, ALL parties in Guyana are corrupt. According to you, ANY party in Guyana will be corrupt. According to you, ALL guyanese are corrupt.
Can you send some honorable Barbadians over to Guyana to run for election? We will be eternally gratefull.
PS: You seem a bit jealous of the new bridge to South America. Is it because you think your beloved CARICOM is soon going to lose a member? Is it because you think Guyana will have less to do with the West Indies?
WIGGINS!!!
PLEASE let the bloggers know where you got the slightest suggestion of a taint surrounding the AFC?
Surely you are not buying into Mr. Jagdeo’s “Pepper Sauce” Propaganda?
Ramjattan will do his party well and call for an investigation into allegations made by the highest authority in Guyana the President Bharrat Jagdeo that the AFC received funds from businessmen involved in shipping drugs in peppersauce, something the US govt will be more interested in and that the leadership of the AFC should step aside during the investigation, Mr Corbin should also call on Interpol to investigate allegations of the PNC linking with Buxton gand during the crime spree.The call for an investigation of the govt is based on testimony by a questionable character and does not hold weight.
See it for what the peppersauce accusation is. Bharat jagdeo without any evidence accused the AFC and people like myself of being involved in peppersauce cocaine scandal to deflect the evil within his own operation.
If Jagdeo is so confident that the AFC is involved in the cocaine trade as he hollers out these libelous claims why hasn’t he prosecuted the AFC?
It is amazing that JAgdeo knows the aFC dealing wid peppersauce but he doesnt know who raja khan was dealing wid.
Coolieman, what about the Roger Kahnn connections (in light of his confession to drug dealing, and witness tampering). Investigate everybody and clean this mess up. You can go back 100 yrs or a 1000 yrs if you want. All criminals on all sides should be dealt with. Come on!
The highest authority in Guyana has no credibility, that includes Jagdeo. Jagdeo don’t have to wait for Ramjattan or Corbin to call for an inquiry of themselves, he has all the resources of the state at his disposal and can call an investigation whenever he wants.
so stop looking for cover like your exposed govt. let them come out and face it. their day of judgment is around the corner
More balderdash from PPP supporters who refuse to enlighten themselves and accept the truth!
Didn’t u notice the irony of since jagdeo accuse d afc of having link drugs,the news broke out from court hearings in new york about their alleged involvement with drugs king pin roger khan.Ha ha ha ha!!!
As a member of the AFC Executive I welcome an investigation into the peppersauce allegations. If the AFC knowingly received drug money I will resign.
I also support investigations into PNC links with the Buxton Gang.
That said, is the thrust of your comment, Coolieman, that two wrongs make a right? Why can’t we be mature and principled enough to call a spade a spade. I once supported the PPP too (in fact for most of my life), but fear (of the other side) should not stop us from seeing what the PPP has become since Dr. Jagan’s death.
I heard a Pandit say no matter how big the mountain that stands on the smallest of truths, the truth shall still eventually come out.
Coolieman, you have stuck your head so deep down in the earth, the Australians can see the sordid expression on your face. You continue to blame everyone else for the mess the PPP has created except the PPP. AFC did request and investigation into the allegations of the “pepper” story and what the PPP government did?. The president continues to go around with his old story and nothing is done about all the “info” he has about others in the act of clandestinity. The ohter evening the government brought out its mouth pieces on NCN and started to blame everyone while they failed to look in the mirror where the culprit is staring right back at them.
I say unequivocally, all those who committed crimes agains the state and the citizens of this country must be hauled to court and face the fire. They can be PPP, PNC, AFC, Ramsammy, Khan, Corbin, Ramjattan, Trotman, they must feel the heat.
The AFC has asked Jagdeo to investigate them, so Jagdeo and his supporters could either put up or shut up. The mere fact that he could not back his words up by an investigations means that he has been shooting from the lip.
Seems like both the PPP and their supporters have a credibility problem.
Your e-mail name is the reason why you are speaking this way
Gerhard, glad to know you were once a supporter of the majority multi racial party of Guyana democratically elected by the people to govern something they are doing with distinction, it is sad when there are political malcontents who in their quest for political power will want to slow or stop progress that is taking place, something the people are seeing through and will put those malcontents to rest come 2011 or even sooner.
Hey Boraport do hear a sheep bleating?
Ramjattan is the kind of honest leadership we need to take this country forward.
Jagdeo is weak if he knows the AFC is involved in illegalities and he cannot do anything about it
The incompetence of the ppp gave pnc a slide back when they were first elected nearly 2 decades ago, so that ship has long sailed, now because of that incompetence, the public is forced to deal with not one set of crooked politicians, but the ppp also.
Did the ppp give pnc a slide back then, so them and their blind supporters will forever have pnc to use as a red herring when ppp is caught with their pants down?
Be careful what we ask for, sometimes we do get it!
Crime in our beautiful Guyana do not have race, religion or political preferences.
Many people in Guyana benifited from Roger Khan’s business, both directly and indirectly and if all the names were to start calling, we would be amazed at the wide crosssection of people that this virus have infected from all races,religion and most importantly, political preference!” de pot telling de kettle he bottom black”
Corruption in our land was conceived many years ago and now have grandchildren and great grandchildren and will be very hard to eradicate!
God bless our Dear Land Of Guyana!!!!!
Crime doesn’t have race in Guyana??
Redshorts, let the chips fall where they may.
GSXR
Ask roger khan, gopaul chowtie and inspector gadget.
i am with you ramjattan 100000000000 pct. but i won’t hold my
breath..
The time for every Guyanese to join and demand an international commission of inquiry to disclose the role Roger Khan, his former attorney Robert Simels and the business transaction with UK Firm Smith Myers be disclosed to the people of Guyana and the international community. The picture emerging from the sworn testimony of Selwyn Vaughn implicates Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy. The old adage teaches “where there is smoke, there’s fire”. Ironic and relevant.
Ramjattan I beg to differ, there must be cooperation within the opposition parties, the private sector and the masses to demand the truth. Select someone outside of Caricom, an International Jurist with impeccable credentials quite possibly through the auspices of the United Nations.
The world needs to know why Guyana is seen as a major drug transhipment point when the international community is seeking to combat the scourge of drugs and it destruction to the social fabric of society. Guyanese at home and abroad must demand clarity and truth.
The government of Guyana and the cabinet should be motivated to launch a commission of inquiry to reaffirm it’s commitment to transparency and public accountability.
You cannot have a democracy that is not govern by the rule of law.
Before the last 10years or so, when you traveled around the world and people asked, “oh where are you from”? Before you said Guyana all you had to worry about was “Jim Jones”.
Now, its death squads, drugs lords, deportations and massive corruption.
Using spy equipment to keep taps on the opposition is not democracy, Remember Nixon? And he had to resign in a democracy governed by the rule of law.