Dear Editor,
I feel persuaded to write to say thank you to Mr Deryck Bernard for shedding further light on the facts surrounding the tabling of a Freedom of Information Bill by the PNCR. Mr Bernard’s letter confirms what I have said previously that there was no Central Executive mandate or instruction for me to prepare such a bill; no task force headed by me; and no prepared and agreed draft of such a bill which I took away when forming the AFC. In fact, amazingly, he still has the copy of the Trinidadian legislation that I passed to him and his notes which he never had a chance to discuss with me. Though I was pursuing post-graduate studies in the United States for the better part of 2002, and doubt that the discussions took place then, I will not break a lance over a date.
Access to information in the 21st century is an inalienable and God given right to which no one can rightfully claim ownership, or seek to control or deny any other. I don’t therefore claim proprietary rights over the bill and see myself only as its presenter, and welcome a bi-partisan approach in fashioning the draft legislation into something of which we can all be proud. I am prepared to consider and include Mr. Bernard’s notes and opinions, and any other for that matter, which may come from citizens and organizations. So important is this legislation to strengthening Guyana’s weakening democracy that I have even gone as far as indicating to the government some time ago that in the interest of having the legislation passed I would be prepared to withdraw my bill in favour of a government sponsored one. Copies of the bill can be obtained from me, or from the Parliament office.
From all appearances, Mr Bernard’s dignified and reasoned approach to politics, for which he is known, remains intact and is a breath of fresh air when one considers what is passing for the practice of politics today.
It now remains for us to convince the rational and truly progressive minds within the PPP/C to support the Freedom of Information bill and other patriotic initiatives that emanate from the opposition benches and from civil society.
Yours faithfully,
Raphael Trotman
