Dear Editor,
My attention was drawn to a press report in which A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) General Secretary, Joseph Harmon stated that “determining its presidential and prime ministerial candidates on the basis of race is a failed model and does not determine how the coalition decides who fills these posts.” He also noted, the “historical damage that racial hatred and political prejudice has wrought.” The report added that, “Harmon dismissed the practice as a failed model, highlighting that it disenfranchises the Amerindians, Portuguese, Chinese and Europeans which comprise this plural society.”
Well, well, well… Speaking on behalf of the ‘coalition,’ Mr Harmon can say anything because that ‘coalition’ does not have a long enough history for one to come to a conclusive assumption. But the same cannot ingenuously be said about the largest party in that ‘coalition,’ which Mr Harmon represents. When did this change in ideology happen? What happened to the Reform component of the PNC that Mr Hoyte introduced to encompass the unique racial mix (and brains) of Guyana, to which Mr Harmon refers? Why is it Mr Winston Murray was never given a chance to be a presidential candidate or in top leadership? Why was the hard working and vibrant Jerome Khan – the Jerome Khan who vigorously took the stage and campaigned for the party – booted out with a statement that being Indian he cannot represent the interest of African Guyanese? Where is the Reform, that once multi-faceted component of the party, Mr Ming and others?
One has to wonder about the motive behind this statement at the same time the AFC is in discussion with APNU about leading an alliance. Is this the manifestation of my way or no way, an attempt to put a pin in the wheel of the negotiations? Let’s not fool ourselves. The suggestion by Mr Ramjattan to lead an alliance is the only way towards the possible salvation the majority of Guyanese seem to want right now. The leadership of the majority opposition in parliament can afford to grandstand. The last time I checked and regardless of how the cookie crumbles they would not be the ones walking the streets wondering where and from whence the next meal will come. They will still be happy parliamentarians, their second job, while collecting taxpayers’ money.
I do not have a problem with an Indian leader, especially if the leader can do a right about-turn from the Indian leadership we have now. And I have good reason to be positive. Both Mr Ramjattan and Mr Nagamootoo need not be where they are today. They both could have remained quiet in their old party and be swamped in the honey the others are enjoying. Can Mr Harmon say who would have been appointed the saviour if those guys were on the inside?
This is not an endorsement of racial politics. I definitely do not believe that Guyana should have ever been at a place where one has to court Indians with Indian leadership and so on. I look forward to healing and better days of racial harmony. But African Guyanese who find it obnoxious to go down this path – the need to have an Indian presidential candidate leading the proposed alliance – to quell the insecurities of Indians, please be reminded that the situation is self-inflicted. Much of the racial bullying in the streets has been one sided.
Guyanese should not allow egotism in APNU to destroy the proposed alliance. And they should not listen to the nonsensical idea that a senior party cannot or should not be led by a much junior one, especially when the senior party has the same chance as ice in hell. In the interest of a turnaround in fortunes for Guyana, seriously urge them to get with the programme. Let them name a prime ministerial candidate, preferably a female, and get on with it. Otherwise, if the talks fail and there is a three-legged race nothing is likely to change; parliamentarians will still be happy parliamentarians, all claiming to be representing the people, but it will be the ordinary people in the streets kicking the bricks.
The proposed alliance is the best option in my estimation. Ordinary Guyanese from all groups and walks of life should continue with that alliance even if their leaders believe they are too important to stoop in the interest of the people and country.
Yours faithfully,
F Skinner
