Dear Editor,
Drug sentencing decisions in US Courts involving two Guyanese citizens are now official; a third awaits his fate. It would be most surprising if the Americans did not unearth a treasure trove of intelligence. Intelligence not necessarily new, but that is high in corroborative value.
I believe that American officials have a clearer picture-and a very clear one-through the convictions and sentencing negotiations (weapon) of the syncretism of the criminal, political, and commercial in Guyana. By-products of the sentencing arrangements finalized would likely include: players, networks, structures, protectors, fronts, stashes, and externalities, among other gems. Two of the sentences indicate the amount of wealth shared. The timing of the postponement of another sentence, which should have been the second, points to something missing, and which is still under review. I interpret the Clarke development as an incentive to share and cooperate further for it will not be denied, as history has attested.
History has shown that the superpower has more than demonstrated the extent of its reach, and the intensity of the pressure it can bring to bear. It extracted cooperation within Pakistan for wanted terrorists; it orchestrated rapid movement in both Trinidad and Surinam for Guyanese of interest. Then, with quarries “in-house” the world of information was available for the taking. Everything is not always obtained, but there is more than enough to comprehend the terrain and the parties, no matter how insulated. This was done with Boesky, who revealed some of the secrets of Wall Street’s insider trading; done again with Gravano, who lifted some more the veil surrounding omerta; and was done again through the tedium and complexities of millions of pages to shake IBM, no less. Given this history, I believe that the approach and results were the same in the matters involving our countrymen.
The nation may never know what was revealed and bargained. The sub-plots and strategies surrounding the sentences, the process, the durations, and the timing all indicate that steep prices have been paid. Prices paid in details locked in the heads of the principals, which was the only currency that they possessed.
It is intriguing that as the Americans arranged their marriages of convenience-and insight-there has occurred this nonstop thunderous barrage related to climate, money, and prestige. Notwithstanding the barrage, I believe that enough has been gleaned to encourage more than a few to rearrange their travel itineraries, and offshore interests. Suddenly, Caracas looks like a most welcoming sanctuary. Spanish lessons, anyone?
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
