Not an AFC representative in negotiations regarding the Speaker

Dear Editor,

It was brought to my attention that a website called OneVoiceCanWin that propagates the views of Mark Archer, Malcolm Harripaul and Lurlene Nestor among other pro-APNU advocates alleged that “I was an AFC representative” and I am “echoing [the] party line.”  Let me clear up this misconception with haste before it causes irreparable damage to what I am advised are very cordial negotiations between the APNU and AFC.

I am a vocal advocate for the AFC in its battle to break the back of that demon called racism that is alive and well in Guyana, thanks to the PNC and PPP with their ethno-political mobilization strategies.  The 2011 elections were just the latest manifestation of this antiquated electoral practice.  But what I am not is an AFC representative in the current negotiations with APNU, so I am unaware of the detailed list of discussion points the key AFC representatives Mr Ramjattan and Mr Trotman are engaged with in this dialogue with APNU.  Being outside of this framework provides me with the freedom to rebut any unfortunate comments from any agent provocateurs who I observe on a mission to destroy the principles of the AFC.

The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people, said Martin Luther King, Jr. Thus I want to make it absolutely clear, all the comments that I have shared on the Speakership issue to date are my personal views and not those of the AFC.  I intend in no way to influence Mr Ramjattan or Mr Trotman; I trust them enough to do the right thing for Guyana first and then the AFC second on the Speakership issue.

I do not need to repeat my views on the issue here that were publicly shared elsewhere, but wish the negotiators all the best of God’s guidance to strengthen their focus on the role of the new Speaker, the expectation of the combined opposition and what is best for Guyana in synchrony with the principle that the Guyanese people did not vote for an APNU or PPP outright victory.The voters have clearly delivered a political mandate to all political parties that there must be space for a third political force to be the balance of power between the elephants in the room.  The empirical evidence clearly reveals that responsibility resides with the AFC and the instrument of authority to best reflect that responsibility is the Office of Speaker of the National Assembly.

What I can competently advocate without any fear or favour within the AFC family is that we do not want to dominate the negotiations but they should not attempt to dominate the AFC.

I leave the rest up to Trotman, Ramjattan, Granger and Roopnaraine to conclude urgently this national business at hand.  The 2012 Budget is going to be soon upon us and will provide the required test of whether the PPP shall work in true Jagdeo style of using force and subterfuge to push programmes and projects undesirable for Guyana down the throat of the members of parliament, or provide an opportunity for the genuine dawning of a new era in the PPP with President Ramotar.  I have seen many signs from the President to remain hopeful.

Yours faithfully,
Sasenarine Singh