Dear Editor,
What’s wrong with making deals with a drug dealer when threatened by an ‘insurrectionist’ gang based in Buxton? What is the big picture issue? The public is trying to figure out whether the Jagdeo administration collaborated with a now self-confessed drug dealer named Roger Khan. The average Guyanese wants to know the answer to this question. Thousands of Guyanese believe their government had secret dealings with RK, and they approved of such collaboration. (Mr Bisram should be engaged to conduct a poll to determine whether more than 50% of the population approve of what they believe to be their government’s secret dealings with RK.)

They believed Guyana was under attack (almost equivalent to an insurrection) by a group of criminals based in Buxton (‘Taliban’) and that the police and army were infiltrated by the criminals and rendered ineffective. The government was desperate to find an effective strategy to wipe out the criminal group. In their desperation they turned to RK. There is now ample proof that RK had recruited an equally tough group of gangsters who successfully infiltrated the Buxton Taliban and collected enough intelligence, and eventually wiped out most, if not all of the criminals. Matching fire with fire.

Thousands of decent Guyanese people believe RK’s group helped to wipe out the criminals. This was supposed to be a secret operation. And, up to a point, a successful operation. The problem is RK’s gang may have crossed the line and wiped out ‘not so bad’ guys. Also RK was a drug dealer, was caught and ran afoul of the US government, hence the reason why the Government of Guyana cannot admit openly to what should have been a secret operation and should remain secret.

Every Guyanese can choose what position s/he must take on this matter. Personally, it is extremely difficult, and after much thought I approve of the “alleged” collaboration and the actions of RK’s gang to eliminate the ‘insurgent’ criminals. Now I have one regret: With all the fallout from the matter (the trial in Brooklyn, who ordered the eavesdropping equipment, etc), I wish this issue of the criminal gang out of Buxton could have been resolved by the army and police.

The lessons from this whole episode: Do not deal with drug dealers; make sure you have a competent, well-trained, well-armed police and army. The Jagdeo administration is facing the exact parallel situation the Reagan  administration faced in the 1980s – the  Iran-Contra affair. The Reagan White House sold arms to Iranians and used the proceeds to support the Nicaraguan Contras fighting to overthrow their government. The action was illegal having been expressly forbidden by the Boland Amendment. Reagan was saved from impeachment by the notion of “plausible deniability.” His national security adviser covered up for him.

The Jagdeo administration is today on ‘trial’ for allegedly dealing with a notorious drug dealer.  Would President Jagdeo face impeachment? Would Wesley Kirton and others be able to unearth hard proof?
I believe the outcome would be no different from Reagan’s.
Yours faithfully,
Mike Persaud