Dear Editor,

I remember the present Dr Janette Balkan, formerly of the Amerindian Studies Unit, University of Guyana. I learned a lot from her writings on the indigenous peoples. I reviewed her book Talking About Amerindians soon after its release.

From time to time I have visited Ms Bulkan’s blogspot on Guyana forestry.  The latest news I have heard of her is that she has received from the present regime an honour created by a previous regime, and conferred on a number of persons: ‘Enemy of the State.’

Her act of treason seems to be a non-act. The government Minister alleged that she failed to object to the Surinamese when they issued with other materials a map of Suriname that included the New River Triangle in eastern Guyana as part of Suriname territory. I saw no allegation that Dr Bulkan saw or approved the map, but many knew that she had earlier in another capacity taken public objection to such a map displayed at an event in which she had a central role. I saw no allegation that Ms Bulkan saw or approved the map given to her with official materials.

When I read the allegation of enmity to the state I went to official online maps of Suriname and of Venezuela to satisfy myself of another aspect of the situation. I know what I thought I saw, but will not pronounce on it because of my imperfect vision.

If Suriname has maps which suggest official encroachment on Guyana’s territory, may I ask whether the President still has an official representative in Suriname appointed by him in his discretion, and paid by the Treasury? If so what are the responsibilities of that diplomat in such matters as territorial integrity?

If Suriname’s maps include the New River Triangle claimed by Guyana and  if Guyana   maintains active diplomatic relations with Suriname from day to day,  the least we can expect is a daily “strongly worded note” from that Ambassador to the Suriname government protesting  the maintenance of such a map of Suriname as long as the printed claim is maintained.

If many readers see my proposal as absurd, it is even more absurd to pretend that the failure of a citizen to do what full-time diplomats are charged with doing will make the citizen, and not the government’s representatives, enemies of the state.

Yours faithfully,
Eusi Kwayana