Dear Editor,
I wish to respond to Mr Benn’s letter (KN, September 2). It should be obvious to all that this letter emanated from a high office in Congress Place. I have tried out of respect for my colleagues, former members of the PNCR not to comment on the issue of irregularities on the membership roll of the PNCR. However the continuous misrepresentations by Mr Benn on this subject have forced me to break my silence.
During the registration of members leading up to the 2007 Congress I was tasked by Team Alexander with the responsibility to verify membership in Region 2. I took copies of membership forms submitted to the respective persons in a village on the Essequibo Coast to have them verify whether or not they had indeed registered for membership in the PNCR. All of the persons visited and for whom forms were submitted, signed on the forms indicating that the signatures on the forms presented were not theirs and they had not applied or asked anyone to apply for membership on their behalf. One of the forms was for a dead woman, whose sister, a nursery school head teacher in the village, signed on the form I showed her attesting to the fact that her sister had died years before. All of the forms for this village were filled using the same handwriting. Upon my return from Essequibo the information was presented to the General Secretary of the party but nothing was done. I understand that these names surfaced again in 2009. Even the dead woman, allegedly reapplied for membership in 2009. The continued denials by Mr Benn, the refusal to correct these practices and now trying to malign Comrade Van West Charles, will not allow me to remain quiet on this issue.
I decided to visit Congress Place during the last day of the Congress 2009 to observe what was taking place. I saw a very close friend of mine with a delegate badge pinned to her top. I was surprised to see her there and curiously checked to see the name on the card; it was not hers. I queried where she got the badge from and was told that it was given to her by an official after she stated she was there to support Robert Corbin.
Prior to the commencement of the elections there was a convergence at the registration tent and persons could be seen collecting several cards and distributing same.
The claim by Mr Benn that no objections were raised during the elections is also inaccurate. It was announced by the returning officer that all complaints will be addressed after he had completed the process of accommodating the delegates in the hall to vote, however he never addressed persons’ complaints and as such disaffected delegates were seen leaving the compound before the voting process began. I personally spoke with some of them. What was most surprising to me was that most of these persons were from Region 1. They claimed their names were submitted as delegates and after waiting patiently to hear their names called to participate in the elections, they were eventually told their names were not on the list. Which left me wondering why would these members pay all that money to travel to Georgetown only to be told they cannot vote? However, Benn must note that numerous objections were raised before the elections.
Mr Benn stated “Maybe, Comrade Van West Charles has to convince his financial backers and others that his efforts were fraudulently stymied, but he should give an honest account of all his actions.” Mr Corbin should tell his financial backers:
How their financial contributions to the party were spent.
Why after two successive congresses he has failed to hold the traditional after congress rally and instead went on a personal victory motorcade in Region 5.
3. Why there were no GYSM and NCW Congresses.
4. When was the last time the party’s accounts were audited and a financial report setting out all contributions received from the diaspora was submitted.
5. Why nothing that he promised to do in his 2007 congress address was done.
Mr Corbin has always accused those critical of his leadership of wanting power and trying to destroy the party. Comrade Van West Charles proved that he was capable of putting the party first when he stepped aside and threw his support behind Comrade Winston Murray MP. Mr Corbin however is yet to prove that he can put the party above his own needs.
Yours faithfully,
Julianne Gaul
