Dear Editor,
We have noticed that the PPP propaganda machinery has gone into overdrive on a number of fronts. Recent events suggest that part of the PPP’s response strategy is to link the AFC with the PNC in the minds of PPP supporters. The reason for this is simple. The PPP is desperately trying to rally its base the only way it knows how – that is threatening them with the spectre of the PNC in power. This strategy has been the faithful hunting dog of the PPP for ages, used to rally the base in the face of exposures on corruption (many scams) and incompetence (such as the floods).
The fly in the ointment this time around is the existence of the AFC. Previously the PPP could always tell its supporters, “We bad, but they wuss, and if is not we, is them.” The contest then was one between the PPP and PNC, there being no AFC at that point. Now that there is such a party, which by virtue of its recent formation cannot be associated with the machinations of the PPP and PNC of the 2002-2006 sordid era, the PPP wants its supporters to see it as a part of the PNC.
This then is the reason for the recent onslaught by Mr Ramotar and Dr Luncheon, together with Ms Gail Teixeira (who we should recall held the portfolio of Home Affairs for a subset of the period under examination). Also joining the fray is Mr Robert Persaud, Dr Frank Anthony and the Indian Arrival Committee. All of these (and presumably more to come) have been bleating a well-worn refrain trying to link the AFC to the PNC.
Now is an opportune time to remind the nation, and PPP supporters especially, that prior to the 2006 election, the PPP and the PNC collaborated to have GECOM pay scrutineers on behalf of the PPP and the “combined opposition parties contesting…” both well-knowing that the rest of the opposition would never see a blind cent (which of course it did not). Be reminded also that before the ink was dry on the election results, the PPP and the PNC collaborated to support each other to the exclusion of the AFC on the Regional Democratic Councils. These PPP supporters should not forget also that during the last episode of continuous registration, the PPP and PNC were in cahoots to split up the 100 million in scrutineers’ funds from GECOM to the exclusion of the AFC. Perhaps the most telling to date, is the collaboration between the PPP and the PNC to pass the obscene and undemocratic recall legislation which has as its aim, cracking the whip of party discipline over parliamentarians instead of allowing them to represent the people according to the force of their conscience.
The PPP’s primary concern is with staying in power and in that regard, their best asset is a PNC strong enough to be held out over PPP supporters as an instrument of fear, but weak enough to be electorally defeated every time. This is behind the PPP’s strategy of deprecating the AFC through the device of collaboration with the PNC in the eyes of its supporters.
We of the AFC wish to assure the Guyanese public that our position on any particular issue is based on principle and integrity. Therefore, on those occasions when our position may be aligned with that of the PNC, it is because of the merits of the particular issue. What distinguishes the AFC is that we will not only condemn, but actively seek remedies as well. Hence our progressive stance at a joint opposition parties’ press conference.
With respect to the information coming out of the Simels and Khan trials in the US, given the implication of high officials of the cabinet, the police force, the GDF and other government agencies, we believe that no local commission of inquiry is feasible. This is why we have called for an international inquiry. Such an inquiry must be empowered to examine all links by political parties (including those allegedly the PNC’s) with criminal elements, and let the chips fall where they may. This inquiry must be done with a broad mandate and an expansive set of references in an effort to bring finality to this dark chapter of our history. It must be done so that our future generations will learn not to make the same mistakes.
The PPP and President Jagdeo must not commit to an inquiry which will only serve the PPP’s purpose of invoking anger in the minds of their supporters that it was Afro-Guyanese who were solely responsible. The public has a right to know why nothing substantial was done to alleviate the security dilemma in the ten years prior to 2002. Important also, is why little has changed in the seven years since.
Yours faithfully,
Gerhard Ramsaroop
