Dear Editor,
The Ministry of Home Affairs has noted with deep concern the contents of a recent statement purportedly made by Opposition Leader Robert Corbin and published in one of the daily newspapers headlined ‘Guyana, Jamaica crime situation share similarities.’
In the said statement Mr Corbin cynically sought to draw certain similarities between the ongoing battle by the Jamaican law enforcement agencies to flush out Jamaican drug kingpin Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke to have him extradited to the United States to stand trial.
Mr Corbin, lacking a scintilla of evidence sought to argue a case to wit, that murders in Guyana today are committed as a result of contractual arrangements and that such arrangements are politically inspired.
Mr Corbin went on to draw the ridiculous conclusion to the effect that the PPP/C administration by not “demonstrating” any “seriousness” in addressing the crime situation is condoning “contract killing.”
Mr Corbin in advancing such ridiculous conclusions seeks to set himself up as judge and jury in determining what is and what is not a murder by contract and further, who is behind such murders.
What the government had to do, for example, with the murder of Dexter Collins, Terry Bacchus, the businessman killed in Water Street, the throwing of acid on Pretipaul Jaigobin, or Bibi Raffina Saymar murdered at Hague, West Coast Demerara only Mr Corbin seems to know.
Mr Corbin must say whoever said that the “drug trade is over.”
Mr Corbin must know that so long as there is a demand for drugs in the US and Europe there will be supplies directly or indirectly via transshipment points such as Guyana.
Mr Corbin like the Mimicman in “the Baccoo speaks” whimsically declares that, “Someone will replace Khan at the helm of the drug trade in Guyana.” Mr Corbin is obviously in the know and he probably knows who the “someone” is since his statement smacks of certainty.
Moreover, the Opposition Leader continues to live in the past and still for political objectives clings to a troublesome episode in our country’s criminal history which the majority of citizens have chosen to put behind them, save for a disenchanted few as well as some sections of the media who thrive on scandal, rumour and concoctions which they seek every day to turn into truth.
Yours faithfully,
Clement J Rohee
Minister
