Dear Editor,
The leaders of the three political parties have met to discuss the way forward. The best way forward is for Guyana to have a Government of National Unity and we should all hope that option prevails. All of us, regardless of ethnicity and/or political affiliation should now embrace the concept of a Government of National Unity.
While we are all angered by various happenings which took place under the PNC and more recently under the PPP/C government, we must not allow these happenings to form barriers to national unity. Right now there seems to be much talk about reviewing contracts, rescinding Mr Jagdeo’s pension, an immediate investigation into the Roger Khan era and more. Understandably these are issues that impacted our national and personal lives. These are happenings that deserve investigation. But let us focus for now on the bigger picture – the way forward for building a secure and prosperous future for all Guyanese. We cannot sacrifice this opportunity for a new beginning at the altar of Mr Jagdeo’s pension, the Roger Khan era, the death of Walter Rodney and the Jonestown Massacre. These are all history, some more recent than others.
Of course the issue of the President’s pension will have to be addresssed since this remains current. But it is not an immediate priority. The Roger Khan era claimed hundreds of lives and this era must be investigated within the wider context of the impact of the narco-trade on the society.
We have to ensure that as we investigate these happenings we don’t retard the very unity we have an opportunity to build now.
Our first priority should be the construction of a decent, lawful society which has in place programmes to improve the quality of life of all Guyanese in an equitable and fair manner.
I am not advocating that contracts must not be revisited and investigations conducted, but these cannot and must not be done in a witch-hunt fashion. So, while we cannot help looking back, the emphasis must now be on looking forward. In letters and blogs to your newspaper during the past week I predicted that no one party would win 50 per cent of the vote.
I predicted that there could not be an announcement of a final result before Thursday and these turned out to be so as did my prediction that there would be no recount of ballot boxes as was at that time requested by the PPP/C. I hope I maintain my track record as I have predicted a Government of National Unity with the Don as president and the Dave as prime minister.
Yours faithfully,
Wesley Kirton
