The ‘crime’ of freedom of speech

Dear Editor,
I refer to a story which made reference to President Jagdeo saying that allegations in relation to the Auditor General’s report were due to financial illiteracy.

All independent thinkers in Guyana now stand accused of this crime called freedom of speech, freedom of independent thought. They have a choice, either write a book, article and comment in favour of the Jagdeo regime and in the end they will be consumed by the regime, or alternatively, protect the interest of the people.

I am truly disappointed in President Jagdeo.  A few weeks ago he accused an expert tax accountant, now master entrepreneur Mr Yesu Persaud, of being ignorant of the tax laws, and now the President accuses many who have raised concerns about the 2006 Auditor General’s report of being ‘illiterate’ on financial matters.  I can see that experts like Christopher Ram and Winston Murray will have a field day at educating our President on the difference between accounting dollars and economic dollars and the real meaning of dormant accounts.

When Anand Goolsarran was doing his job as Auditor General, this administration found fault with him.  The new Auditor General too has presented a report that is not to the satisfaction of those in power.

Yours faithfully,
Avinash Balram