The silence of the government and the army on the indictment of ex-Major David Clarke in the US “raises a lot of questions,” according to Alliance For Change (AFC) leader Raphael Trotman.
Raphael Trotman
“I have seen stranger things transpire,” Trotman said, when asked about the failure by both the government and army to make any public disclosure on Clarke’s indictment.
PNCR leader Robert Corbin refused to comment on Clarke’s case, saying his party would not get sidetracked by “minutiae” but would instead continue to call for an international inquiry into the government’s alleged links to criminal activities in Guyana. “When such an inquiry is done then the issue surrounding [drug convict Roger] Khan and Clarke would be brought to light,” Corbin said.
Clarke will be sentenced next month on two drug charges, according to court documents, but it is not clear if he pleaded guilty to the charges or if there was a trial at which he was found guilty. He was supposed to be a key witness against Khan and he was also among the targets of the witness tampering bid by Khan and ex-lawyers Robert Simels and Arianne Irving.
Public statements were only made by President Bharrat Jagdeo, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, after a report appeared in the Stabroek News earlier this year on Clarke’s indictment. According to Corbin, the government has been “condoning” criminal irregularities and as such an international inquiry is needed. He added that his party would not deal with the matter in a piecemeal fashion.
Meanwhile, Trotman is of the opinion that Clarke could have been “an agent of US authorities” during the time he was accused of trafficking in narcotics. He called on the local authorities to contact the authorities in the US for information so that “an in-depth analysis could be done.” He said the state would have to get the information so the “dots could be connected and the true picture as to what happened and why” could emerge.
There has been a wall of silence on the issue surrounding Clarke and the organisation that Clarke served for 20 years. Army Chief-of-staff Commodore Gary Best told Stabroek News that the army had no comment to make on Clarke, either now or in the future.
Attempts to contact Brigadier (Rtd) Michael Atherly, who was chief-of-staff at the time Clarke was alleged to have been working with the criminals and trafficking in narcotics, and his number two at the time, Brigadier Edward Collins, have been futile.
This newspaper has been reliably informed that Clarke was in the GDF up to 2006, when he was indicted in the US — during the period Collins was in charge.
Given the serious charges levelled against Clarke and considering that he was once the commander of the Buxton anti-crime operation, observers feel that the army and the Commander-in-Chief/Defence Board should explain why the public was not apprised of the indictment and the security risks posed by the defendant to the anti-crime and anti-drug trafficking campaign.
Clarke was accused of working with some of Guyana’s most dangerous criminals while he was heading Operation Tourniquet, which had been set up to quell criminal activities in Buxton. While he was in charge there, many had concerns about the ineffectiveness of the campaign and about the continuing levels of crime. And while he has been accused of working with the criminals, an accusation that came first from convicted drug trafficker Khan, he was also, apparently, along with family members, funnelling drugs out of Guyana to the US.
It is too late to make the determination as to why the Govt and Army have been silent on Clarke’s dismissal, er, retirement in Guyana and later drug indictment in America given the secretive nature of the President, whose government has been so badly compromised by criminality, it couldn’t even deal with criminality in the Army and Police Forces.
I really don’t know how any foreing person or entity could take the risk of doing business with a government whose leader has so many questions about his leadership character over his head. I mean, one or two issues I can understand, but a rising mountain of issues is a sign of danger ahead. Stop. Make U-turn. Now!!!!
Trotman doesn’t have the cunning intellect to head up the AFC- the position should be Ramhattans’ or Gerhardts’.
Yaaaaaaaaaaaawn!!!!!!
“I really don’t know how any foreing person or entity could take the risk of doing business with a government whose leader has so many questions about his leadership character over his head. I mean, one or two issues I can understand, but a rising mountain of issues is a sign of danger ahead. Stop.”
This should tell you that all that you are reading about the government are mere allegations that does not count by the international organisations…They are far above you and the opposition forces standards…
BR, i kinda agree with you but not with respect to Gerhard. I think Trotman lack the fight that is needed to move the party forward. He is smart, yes, but too sweet skin for polictics. This young party needs someone, at least for now, that can whip the people up and have them rally around the issues of the day. Trotman doesn’t show that he has the spine to do that at this moment. He may still be growing a backbone. I like Ramjattan from the first time i saw him speak at the rally at parade ground something about him told me he wants to win. Thats why the PPP is hitting at him they too see the fire in the man. Troty seems to me more of a technocrat and probably is the architect of the party but for some reason he seems troubled when confront with big issues.
I didn’t even read the article–once I see a photo of Trotman I know its pure opportunism wasting people’s time..
The reason though for this post is to find out why nobody commenting on the “no comments” thing on the so called article about the doctor and bun boy situaion.I think the paper got a court order or injunction not to permit discussion. The paper wants a few more of these injunctions in its tail …..
Ramjattan has no fire Pepie,,,all he has is hatred for the PPP after they kicked him out,,,that vindictiveness will not take him anywhere, he is not a rounded politician that can take any party anywhere.
Bismattie,
I disagree with you. Peter Ramsaroop or Freddie Kissoon should
lead the the AFC
They’re all silent because “certain elements” within this corrupt and incompetent PPP govt are as guilty of crimes as Khan and Clarke.
In time, when the US moves in, we’ll know who they are. Meanwhile it should amuse us that they think their silence will help them now, when they were all loud before they learnt that Uncle Sam was listening in.
BTW, to all the PPP-party hacks on this blog who are looking more and more rediculous and morally compromised each day themselves defending the wrong-doings of the PPP, the PNC party-hacks once looked as pathetic as you defending their party’s wrong doing;that’s why people are laughing at them now, that why people are beginning to laugh at you guys now.
But hey, it’s smelly job you’ve got, but somebody has got to do it…
Dandy Andy. Missed the boat as usual.Lost in space.In a perpetual fantasy island with other like minded.State silence is state silence.The only person asking ridiculous questions in an open and shut case is the politicizing opportunist Trotman.
BTW, if Clarke was going to be the sole and main witness against Khan if Khan;s drug trial went ahead, then it means that Clarke likely knew Khan and Khan’s operations in Guyana. I mean, these guys more than likely worked together at some point and had a falling out. Yesterday or day before I raised the point that Khan wanted Clarke neutralized or eliminated so badly that he specifically asked that whoever is doing the neutralization or elimination must not hurt Clarke’s mother. Ergo, Khan knew even Clarke’s mother!
In the John Gotti Jr mob trial now in the hands of a jury in New York, the fed’s main witness happens to be a former mobster who was a boyhood friend of Gotti and who knew about Gott’s mob doings, including murder…allegedly. The feds offered the mobster a lessened sentenced if he can cooperate as a witness against Gotti and he did.
It is funny how the state would rely heavily on information from this mobster currently serving a life sentence to fork over information about Gotti just so the state could bring Gotti down, but it is even more telling for us how the feds work. The feds would not rely on some stranger to bring down Khan if the trial went ahead; it had to rely on someone who was intimate with the details of Khan and Khan’s operations.
Is it possible that Khan and Clarke may one day become witness for the feds against the government of Guyana at a possible future trial?
Maybe dandy, just maybe.
Maybe Clarke was working undercover like the senior police officer caught on tape demanding payment from the drug dealer, sorry, businessman.
If we connect the dots in this puzzle we will see distinct patterns emerging that could lead to many conclusions. The one that stands our however, clearly points to the involvement of the Guyana (PPP) Government with the criminal underworld.
Why on one hand, would any Government want to retain far beyond his retirement age, a seemingly incompetent (definitely compromised) Commissioner of Police who presided at the height of the crime spree following 2002 jail break without achieving any measurable results at quelling the situation, and on the other hand, readily and hastily got rid of his successor who showed promise in bringing about relief with the situation, and who brought back some semblance of order by going after the (at one time) untouchables in the criminal underworld; a commissioner who orchestrated the capture of the alleged murderer and confessed Drug Kingpin Roger Khan?
Wasn’t it logical under the circumstances, and for his good work for the Government to reward the commissioner with, if nothing else, an extension of his services beyond his retirement period like was done in the case of his predecessor? But, instead, his serious and result oriented police work was rewarded with ridicule, slander, and call for his resignation.
Do recall that it was this commissioner’s telephone that was illegally tapped and recordings made using spy equipment purchased by the PPP Government, and placed in the hands of criminal underworld. Isn’t it that the said recordings the Government, working in tandem with Roger Khan’s murderous criminal outfit, eagerly and willingly used to castigate and incite public mistrust against the commissioner?
Keep connecting the dots and you will see the bigger picture of a Government corrupt beyond imagination.
Dandy, I have often read your blogs with interest, but this one is very interesting, especially your last question. Guyanese proverb:”one day, one day conga tay” ISNM
DANDY ANDY
You are right on the mark. What you are saying is absolutely true every word you said. Guyanese needs to watch the drama unfold. The Government do not have a clue. They said they so call upgraded the law, but hear nah before anybody get deported the home affairs Minister have to give final ok for somone to get deported. Another move to fix a puppet in place so when the puppet master comes calling the puppet cannot say no.
“Moon ah run til day ketch am.” They cannot run from the long arms of the law.
C’mon ! They were all connected in nefarious activities and , apparently, were allowed to operate, openly, with the blessings of some politicians and law enforcement officials. The danger was that Clarke could have progressed to the stage of Marlon Brando in the movie ‘Apocalypse Now’ . Roger Khan would have been wiped out. Next step — the Central Gov’t.
Dandy…..hold strain can you remember small days we used to say hupty dumpty sat on the wall humpty dumpty did fall…..all the kings horse and all the kings men try to put the egg back together and what happen….
Sit back and we will have the last haha…..them in front now. Bismattie….I will advise you to please read Dr. Clarke’s book now Trotman is addresing something that is of importance to us all. You don’t have to like but ask the question how many people did he bring to the poll that place the AFC where it is today.
The AFC is an all Guyana Party not only for one group of people if so show me them. It for all of Guyana. Bismattie you have to do some work on yourself if you want to become a Social Critique just take care with what pen do or say.
Bismattie how many Indian are coming out and speaking out to shore up the Indian support we have in the AFC. The Indian support is grate but you can make it grater by doing you part. My sister just remember Guyana is ours and we are all one. Let the pain go. Love you honey yes I say say it with all my heart. We are nice people when we sit down to chat. Let us continue chatting.
Dandy Andy ! Emile Mervin is the only letter writer in the Guyana dailies that uses ‘ergo’ (Latin for ‘therefore’) in his presentations.
Am I good or am I good?! Yes ! I am good.
Dandy I have been harbouring those thoughts for some time now.The feds have valuable information that “MIGHT” LEAVE GUYANA WITHOUT A GOVERNMENT.The whole BAND and BAND-MASTER, CHIEF COOK and HEAD BATTLE-WASHA;they all will be going down. Visas’were not revoked for nothing….THINK ABOUT THAT!!!
Mr. Trotman, don’t you worry,this silence from the USA might be GOLDEN
Oh what a tangled Web they weave !!! The best is yet come, watch and see!!!
The government’s attitude is: if ignored long enough, it will go away.
You’re a bit of a cynic, aren’t you, Ghost Rider? Me too.
This too will pass.
We’ve ignored the fact that there was an armed militia operating out of Buxton since 2002. Their existence and crimes, all forgotten. Today we remember them as the common criminals or the “innocent men” that RK killed.
Many aspects of the RK saga got whitewashed over the years; if RK was extradited to Guyana like he was supposed to, names of key players supporting his squad and the freedumb fighter group would have been know today. Instead, we’re only hearing a one sided call to an investigation; those on the other side are either silent or in self-righteous protest.
As i said before they are silent because they all are in cahoots, and they all have skeletons in their closets.
wha skele yuh talkin bout amen-ra?????
Trotman is pure as driven snow:::::::
duh banas dont even walk pon ants….
e lef hand man is de US agent……
e live at de US embassy dats wy ppee peee ppeee kick e out…
ehehehehehehe…..
This is typical behavior by the government – ignore and/or deny. Same old story!!!!
Ne,
yeah! and PNcee too busy to comment on Clarke. I think Clarke got dirt on both parties and will spill it to save his tail, so right now nobody don’t want to say anything to upset him in the midst of his misery.
Putting the pieces together for criminal enterprise indictment against one or more major big wigs? Clark might be the most important piece to this thing. He’s educated unlike khan. He’s disciplined and well trained unlike khan. Why would khan not want to hurt his Clark’s mother? Did Clarke testify before the grand jury and what did he say? The plot thickens. This thing will get really nasty real soon and people will not only lose visa but will be making license plates in Arkansas. Can’t blame Forbes Burnham.
They will find a way.
Why was’nt the Guyanese media not reporting on the trial “a la ROGER Khan”?Yaaaaaaawwwwwnnnnn.
According to Jagdeo he has all the tape on criminal.
According to observers,sane minds, Trotman is into another wild fantasy of political posturing.
Too late shall be your cry. When the PNC brought this matter to the public the AFC was silence. Everyone try to gain political mileage instead of speaking the truth to all the Guyanese people.