Dear Editor,
I have often contended that in years to come when Guyanese in another dispensation can look back with some clarity of thought they will arrive at some unpleasant conclusions. I believe that in time to come, several Guyanese will distinguish themselves because of the quality of service they would have rendered the nation. There will also be a list of persons whose behaviour would have done a disservice o this country.
In reports in the press Dr Luncheon said that it was former president Jagdeo’s view that the exploration and mining of the New River Area should go ahead although other members of the cabinet objected. It is to be noted that Dr Luncheon subsequently backed away from those comments. It is entirely up to the reader to believe or disbelieve his utterances. It is well known that Mr Jagdeo’s behaviour is nothing new to the public but I will simply move on to address another component of Dr Luncheon’s story.
Dr Luncheon also questioned the political-military relationship which has been in existence from the nation’s independence up to now. His spin on this whole arrangement in my opinion is disingenuous and extremely troubling. Like a true PPP spin doctor, he once again attempted to confuse and bamboozle the Guyanese public and even the international community with the idea that the military is becoming too assertive. His whole line of argument amounts to a load of nonsense. For decades now, every soldier and especially the officer corps of the Guyana Defence Force knows how sensitive that area is.
Major General (rtd) Singh and Brigadier (rtd) Collins made some very important remarks on that issue. As a former soldier, I spent many days and nights in that hostile but yet pristine environment. Many men and women of my generation were prepared to protect this country, and provide stability for its development. My advice to Dr Luncheon is to simply let professional soldiers remain professionals. Most democratic countries around the world do rely on the advice of their military on a whole range of issues including national policy or national development. Dr Luncheon seems to be suggesting that the military should have no say but behave like robots.
It should be stated here that the professional soldiers’ abiding interest is the safety and security of the state. The soldier is not and would not be a slave to political dogma nor is he/she driven by the avarice and excessive greed which seems to characterize the PPP. When all is said and done, if activities in that region should develop at a rapid pace and it becomes a lawless frontier, it would be the ordinary poor soldiers who would be required to correct the mistakes of this incompetent cabinet. I believe, therefore, that Dr Luncheon should take the time to fix those things which are already disintegrating under his watch, such as the impending bankruptcy of NIS of which he is the Chairman. He should not try to distort the civilian-military relationship in this country.
Dr Luncheon has played a part in the mess with the NIS and those over 60 are terrified. So he should stay out of the border issue.
Yours faithfully,
Aubrey Retemyer
