-gov’t slams ‘diversionary’ tactics
Backed by a noisy protest on Brickdam, new allegations in a US court of links between the government and drug trafficker Roger Khan sparked an exodus of the opposition from Parliament after PNCR Leader Robert Corbin was unable to raise the matter for urgent debate and government MPs later condemned the walkout as an attempt to create a diversion.
With Alliance For Change MPs earlier deciding not even to enter the Chambers, members of the main opposition PNCR-1G walked out after the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran disallowed an application by Opposition Leader Corbin for an urgent debate on the recent testimony of Selwyn Vaughn in a New York Court, where it was alleged that Khan had ties to a government minister. Corbin, in a letter to the Speaker, also sought to have the Assembly approve a move calling for Interpol to be invited to probe the allegations.
Ramkarran, in refusing the Opposition Leader’s application which was based on Standing Order 12, said that the “matter sought to be raised is mostly based on press reports without being substantiated.”
AFC Leader Raphael Trotman (left) and Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan bearing placards yesterday outside of Parliament. (Jules Gibson photo)
Corbin however contended that “these reports are not based on newspapers but are based on sworn affidavits, court documents and testimony that have been made available to the world at large.”
Ramkarran, in response, said that “the only matter that is urgent are the facts and circumstances stated by a witness in a Court of the United States of America in a pending trial, the issues of which are reported in the newspapers here.”
In explaining what matters of urgency were, the Speaker said that “the fact that a grievance is continuing is not sufficient if it is not of recent occurrence. The fact that new information has been received regarding a matter that has been continuing for sometime does not itself make that matter one of urgency. If the facts have only been recently revealed that does not make the occurrence recent. “
While appealing for the motion to be granted, Corbin told the Speaker: “this is the highest forum of the land, this is the highest court of the land, and you Sir, have the golden opportunity of creating precedence in this Parliament on a matter of the grave nature.”
However, in spite of Corbin’s appeals, the Speaker said that his decision was based on international Parlia-mentary practices. He told Corbin that the matter could be debated if it came to the House as an ordinary motion.
Corbin then led his party out of the National Assembly. Prior to leaving the chambers of the National Assembly, he angrily threw down several law books from the desk in front of him, as he stated that if this matter could not be considered a grave matter the laws meant nothing.“These laws of Guyana mean absolutely, nothing in this country. Nothing, all of them, all of them!” he said angrily as he dramatically pushed them down one by one.
PNCR-1G MPs picketing in front of the Public Buildings yesterday afternoon. (Photo by Orlando Charles)
After the main opposition party left the House, Ramkarran commented that former President, the Late Dr. Cheddi Jagan, had committed a similar act when he was Opposition Leader. That action had attracted sanctions.
While outside of the National Assembly, Corbin also expressed his displeasure that members of his party had their vehicles searched prior to them gaining access to the National Assembly. Accord-ing to him, the laws say that MPs are guaranteed immunity in the environs of the Parlia-ment. The police searched the vehicle of PNCR-1G MP Basil Williams, because they suspected that he was carrying placards.
When asked if his decision to throw down the law books was not excessive, he said that he was making a symbolic reference to the fact that since the PPP/C government came to power they have shown blatant disregard for the laws of the country.
Also joining the PNCR-1G in the walkout was GAP-ROAR MP Everall Franklin. He said that the matter was an important one to the stability of the country and that it should be reviewed. “We have lost an opportunity to discuss something and to get it off our chests because I think there needs to be a cleansing of the souls.” When asked if he believed that Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy should resign over the recent testimony in the US court linking him to Khan, Franklin said that it was the government that had to decide this. He, however, suggested that it may be best for Dr Ramsammy to step down in order to facilitate a proper investigation into the matter.
AFC totally boycotts
The AFC boycotted yesterday’s entire sitting of the National Assembly saying that it did not want to lend legitimacy to the sitting in light of the recent testimony. Prior to the beginning of the sitting, the party’s MPs gathered outside of the barricades with placards but when they attempted to go in front of Public Buildings they were prevented from doing so.
Speaking to members of the media, the AFC Leader Raphael Trotman said that the decent thing for Dr. Ramsammy to do was for him to stand down and for the government to have an independent Commission of Inquiry, which would comprise persons of international repute and credibility. Trotman suggested that inviting Interpol to conduct an inquiry was one of the steps that should be taken.
He opined that the country was in chaos and consequently, this was not the time to be discussing the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) as was scheduled to be debated in yesterday’s sitting of the National Assembly. The motion on the LCDS was subsequently deferred for the second week running yesterday.
Chairman of the party, Khemraj Ramjattan said that the party is preparing a dossier to send to various international agencies including the authorities in Norway who are working with Guyana on the LCDS. According to Ramjattan this dossier will document aspects of the Roger Khan scandal, the Fidelity scandal, aspects of the Auditor General’s report, the CLICO issue and matters encompassed in newspaper editorials, among others. He said that these submissions will be made within the next two to three weeks and explained that the party is waiting for some of these documents to be certified with the stamp from the Auditor General’s Office.
Protest
Also protesting prior to the beginning of the sitting were supporters and members of the PNCR-1G. They, too, were prevented from protesting in front of the Public Buildings with their placards. But as they gathered beyond the barricades outside of the National Assembly, they were very vocal and shouted whenever a government member drove past to enter the compound of the National Assembly. While some were eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Health Minister, they did not get the chance as he reportedly entered the building through the back gate.
At one point during the protest, some women managed to get past the barricades with placards and these placards were taken away from the women by police officers.
However, after the walkout by the main opposition party some of the supporters joined the MPs in picketing directly in front of Parliament Buildings. At one point in the process, when Government spokesman Kwame McCoy was entering the National Assembly, supporters and even members of the PNCR-1G threw themselves on the side and front of the vehicle as it passed, while taunting him.
Government response
Meanwhile, PPP/C MPs yesterday labelled the actions by the PNCR-1G and the AFC as attempts to direct attention away from other matters of importance, including investigations into the recent fire which destroyed the Ministry of Health.
At a press conference held at Public Buildings, Prime Minister Sam Hinds, PPP General Secretary Donald Ramator and MP Gail Teixeira all criticized the actions by the Parliamentary Opposition.
Hinds said that in the midst of all the recent allegations, the public should remember that a few years ago, a conversation between PNCR Executive Member Basil Williams and the then Commissioner of Police Winston Felix was recorded in which it was alleged that Felix had helped create diversions after certain criminal acts had been committed.
Ramotar, meanwhile, opined that Corbin was trying to prove that he was militant following recent questions about his leadership of the party.
He said that it should not be taken as mere coincidence that this action is coming less than a month before the party’s Congress. He said that the Speaker had given Corbin an opportunity to have the matter debated but he refused. Ramotar also criticized Corbin for throwing down the law books.
He also said that the AFC was scared because its leader Trotman was an Executive Member of the PNCR- when the party was alleged to have had close links with criminal elements. He opined that both the PNCR-1G and the AFC were “nervous.”
Teixeira, meanwhile, said that members of the media needed to be careful when reporting on the ongoing case in New York. She said that these were merely allegations in a matter that was being held in a foreign court. She said that the matter had not even been completed but that it was being reportedly locally “as if it was God’s word.” She called for balanced coverage of the trial and suggested that the current manner in which it was being covered put people’s lives at risk.
The government should appoint an independent team to investigate the allegation made against it. This team should have full access to records and personnel and work uninhabited.
Umh….why did we go to war in Iraq? oh yeah! they said “we have evidence of WMD” Where is it?
The same thing happening here, the so called evidence is a Big Nancy Story…How come we never got the results of the alleged Felix tapes as to whether the voices were authentic or not?
How come no one from the international community never backed the PPP Government in its fight against the so called Freedumb Fighters. No one seems to be interested in pursuing the allegations of the PNCR’s connection with the murderous Buxton Gang that terrorized and killed dozens in their days. All we hear about is RK and PPP… What’s going on here? Does all of this commotion focusing only on the PPP have anything do with the fact that Guyana will soon have Oil and Carbon credits…
Having team of investigate for what if the did.no one will go to jail.it will covery up it.there are not the F B I or D E A.
CORBIN SHOULD HOLD A POSTER
“WHO KILLED INNOCENT CHILDREN IN THEIR SLEEP”
Corbin’s placard should ask who killed Walter Rodney and Vincent Teekah.
why the hell these people are being so ignorant…this is a trial, its not over.why can the wait for the verdict.then do what have to be done.
No, the govt should not appoint anyone or anything to investigate themselves. An independent International Tribunal is needed.
Time will untangle it, not I; for it is too hard a knot for me to untie.
Marc103
That the most sensible comment I’ve read on this RK thing in a while.
The “knot” is indeed quite hard to open but some people insist on pulling it from ONE side.
Texiera needs to go and take a class in law and understand the difference between sworn testimony and hearsay.
Brandon Samaroo,I posted two YouTube videos here the other day to lighten up things for bloggers to have a bit of laughter where it showed Glen Beck of Fox News crying and the other one where the Republicans right wingers calling President Obama a racist.Those are most laughable things to see and hear bro.
Your response to me was that I should stop listening to Canadian Radio.
I never knew YOUTUBE was Canadian radio so I must say thank you for kicking my sad sac butt on that one.
Something has got to not be right with you upstairs bro.
You are seeing in photos here and reading where “opposition are walking out of parliament” “opposition on the streets with placards” and yet you calling the Government dictatorship.
Well let me give you one now and we will finish this back and forth thing.I promise I will.
Brandon Samaroo,opposition to dictator Government do not walk out of parliament,opposition to dictator Government flee and leave country.Take care and think about it.
sworn testimony does not mean the truth, have you ever heard that.
how about man must speak to defend himself.
CAK EYE , follow this.
A key informant at the trial of Manhattan lawyer Robert Simels admitted today that he planted the seed in a diabolical plot to harm a witness’s mother.
“It was my idea,” Selwyn Vaughn, 34, said during questioning by defense lawyer Gerald Shargel, who is representing Simels in his obstruction of justice case in Brooklyn federal court.
A course like that will teach you of a word called “PERGERY” too Som-a-row…
What’s the difference samraooo? people still lie under oath.
The government was wrong to be involved in this all those officials whose names are being called should resign now until they can clear their names.
I believe the gov’t was wrong to be involved in this I also believe that the gov’t had to use unconventional methods to deal with the situation in guyana starting from late 2002.
Just take a moment and think what guyana would have been today if the Buxton gang were allowed to run freely. From the same Vaughn testimony they were storing up guns. What were they going to do with the guns. You have a major part of the police and army that you can’t trust because they are splitting heirs.
And why is the PNC and Corbin protesting now was not Waddel an member of the party and giving suppport to the buxton “freedom fighter” to destroy innocent lives?
When all this is said and down politicians from both sides should be put in jail along with some senior police and army offices.
Not all who swore to testify will tell the truth, so I think you should go take a class in law my friend Brandon, I know of many cases where people swore to tell the truth only to give fabricated testimony to save themselves,family or friends, I know of cases where prosecutors told victims what to say in court only to be busted by attorneys, lots of action in GT man I thought you will be there.
Then Leroy since Cheddie Jagan did not flee that would mean by your own difinition that the PNC under Burnham was not a dictatorship? hmmm…. Samaroo is laughing at you right this minute. Well i do believe there was a dictatorship of some form under Burnham leadership and i do believe there is a elected dictatorship under Jadgeo leadership. Take care and think about it
PEPIE Hmmmm I wonder why you are representing Brandon Samaroo on this one?
Could it be you are the same person with different named accounts blogging here?
If one were to ask me I would say you PEPIE & BRANDON SAMAROO are one person.It won’t take a rocket scientist to figure you out.I don’t see it posted any where here where Brandon Samaroo told you to say hi to me.
Getting back the subject matter at hand.
Info.Cheddie Jagan was no threat to the US nor Forbes Burnham.
Rodney was a true and real threat to the dictator so you tell us in your own words what happened to him.
Oh and please keep laughing Samaroo.
Poo ramsammy de man gonna prappa cry dis weekend and while he crying Jagdeo gonna be wukkin down some jerk in Jamaica.
Ow all yuh might have to guh back and rub ramsammy back. Tings aint lookin bright fuh de man.
Some all you might have to send senna and bengay and ting fuh de man.
Smelling salts and limacol on order. Just now JAgdeo gonna have to ask him one more time, Ram budday you had anyting to do wid Raja? ahahhahahahhahahhaa
Aye seriously you cannot write the madness the PPP does get on wid in Guyana they are priceless and their stupidity is priceless also. Of all the people they had to find to do their dutty wuk they found a drug dealer. I mean they couldnt find some israeli mossad mercenary chap or couple taliban or something? dem had to find po raja.
When raja done sing in Manhattan Jagdeo might have to stop eat pepper from now because you know what they say? what taste good pun mouth does bun later.
Leroy,
I don’t blog under ghost names…Pepie is not Samaroo. I blog under the name i am being called by for 37 years. I do that because i want readers to know the position i hold on various issues and how i fell about the current state of Guyana. I have met only 3 Pepies. A young black guy from Linden and a East Indian Man who sell or use to sell in Bourda Market. The first is younger than i am and the latter is older. I am not like you and others here who can’t handle a good debate under your real or locally call names.
There are a thousand L.Leroys in Guyana.
Samaroo under the name of Pepie I have watched your blog here and watched how you always talked about Indians and Blacks.
Bro this has nothing to do with Indians and Blacks.
This is about you Brandon Samaroo, since you told me that YOUTUBE is Canadian Radio I am done with this nonsense.
I watched you attacked lots of bloggers here compliments of SN calling people funny names when you are not in agreement with their opinions.Sorry SamarooI can’t have a healthy debate with you since you told me to stop listening to Canadian Radio when I post YOUTUBE links.
I agree, Brandon. Not to mention sworn testimony that was cross examined and possibly recrossed examined based on available evidence and documentation, which a judge had to examine in a pre-trial hearing in order to decide if there was enough evidence to go to trial.
But then again, these foot-soldiers were never the brightest pencil in the bunch in the first place. Texiera is further disgracing herself.
The policy of the PNCR are Street protests,Corbin was not getting his way with street protest so they were calling on him to step down, he now wants to show that he can speak the language of his supporters prior to the part’s congress,,,Trotman is no different he grew up in the PNCR camp,,,Matters of importance to the nation and the country are not their concerns, their intentions are aimed at diverting the Government from the present MOH fire investigations…These are the people fighting to be leaders of Guyana, this is the example they setting…
Jagdeo fever! Jagdeo fever! Jagdeo fever!
Bloggers outside of Guyana all sheltering under the PPP Umbrella.
When almighty God put up a King
No body should try to clip he wing
Comon sense and wisdom is the things
Who de Cap fit leh dem draw de string.
I know de man
You know de man
All abee know de man!
Move aside Burnham, these words are now Jagdeo’s
Just lookee at the PPP bloggers chanting Jagdeo’s feva all ova dis blog as Guyanese at home get their placards taken away in front of their own parlaiment building.
Ramsammy please step aside give a 5 donot let jagdeo set u like he did to rk he do know you.
Ramotar, the PPP have continued to talk about the ALLEGED links of the PNC to criminal gangs. Where is the proof/evidence? It is time jagdeo produces the evidence he says he has to the public through a court of law just as legal sworn testimony is being played out in a court of law linking the PPP as the INTELLECTUAL AUTHORS and HOLDING COMPANY of the Roger khan criminal enterprises.
the ecidence is there Evan. the same informant linked the PNC to the crimina gang through its members Waddel and the boxing coach. They were both members of the PNC and I think Waddel was an MP at that time. I guess u don’t want to believe this part from the infromant.
Funny, PPP’s party-hacks are all out in full today, busy-busy-busy! Or maybe it is just one person with several names. They all write the same anyway.
Talk about nervousnessnesssss!
Texiera and all the rest should STOP,TAKE A MOMENT and LISTEN to themselves…..Was it GOD’S WORD or GOD’S VOICE that sent those TUGS to DIS-FIGURE Mr.Small Why is it that SINGH cannot determine the cause of BISCUIT’S death.DAMN IT!!!! I am one of the many who was never be under this present administration and I can assure that I will NEVER be living under Jagdeo’s LAW.
texiera fully understands brandon but what is happenbing here is reminiscnt of the fable “the king’s new clothes.”
No Gordon ! Picture this. Baghdad 2003. The tanks are at the outskirts of the city and there is ‘Baghdad Bob’ saying that his forces have driven back the invaders. Gail Teixeira is the ‘Baghdad Bob of Guyana. Ha!
CAK EYE why SN oR their reporter omit key facts.
you want more.
Here’s more:
Under the PPP, Guyana has become a Drugocracy and on their good days when they take law-enforcement equiptment and place it into the hands of a confessed drug cartel, even a Khanocracy but whatever you do, please, please don’t let yuh tongue slip and ever call this sorry mess in Guyana, a democracy!
Let us have an International Tribunal to investigate this Khanocracy!
how many sworn testimony are true in court?
John Delinger, Let me enlighten you about how the “PROGRAM” works in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. When the FEDS put someone in the “PROGRAM” like VAUGHN is, that means that he has completed a successful POLYGRAPH examination. He would not be in the program if he flunked, take it from someone who knows first hand, the jury is instructed of this so is the defense attorneys involved in the case. Anything else you want to know, ask me.
haven’t u ever heard of someone passing the test who was guilty?