Dear Editor,

Disturbing figures alluded to by contributor Alissa Trotz in her Stabroek News letter of Saturday, October 31, 2009, ‘How does Dr Persaud reconcile these disturbing migration figures with his claim of the growing middle class?’ referred to one indicator as “chronic and sustained human flight,” used as a factor in determining the conditions of a failed state.

It should be of instructive relevance to confirm that based on my own personnel knowledge and experience, that human flight from British Guiana/ Guyana started even before the turmoil of 1953 as a result of the infamous suspension of our constitution and which really spawned the growth of exile communities.

Relevant evidence will support indeed that it is the pull of the exile families that is more responsible for outward migration rather than anything to do with lacklustre economy.

The need to be more specific in contributing by the intellectual class should be scrupulously observed.

Yours faithfully,
David DeGroot