Dear Editor,
It is one thing to be declared persona non grata by an undemocratic country. It is another story when it is a place as open and welcoming as Canada. Thus, there are some difficulties with the sudden surprising decision. What can be read from it? What should be read?
There are proceedings pending before the bar of the courts. No question that citizens across the divide can find agreement that the matters are serious. They involve a range of troubling issues from (in layman’s terms) alleged deceptions, conspiracies, misuse of power, and personal profiting through improper exercise of position and influence. And it must be emphasized: all alleged. And yet, there was this arresting announcement from the Canadian side that precludes travelling to Canada. Is there a message somewhere in there? Perhaps, more than one, and all pointed and pummeling; and the precursor of things to come from both this originator and then others even more heavyweight and Mike Tyson-like?
Usually, there is much trumpeting of innocent until proven guilty. Usually, in spite of significant distaste for this or that character, or this or that scurrilous development, and this or that ideology and leanings of the political apparatus of a country, there is great reluctance to go these distances this early. At least, that is the new world now lived in the 21st Century. As an example, at the diplomatic level, those almost routine reciprocal expulsions by Eastern and Western governments, for either manufactured or blatant charges of infringements, have petered out to a state of cobwebbed mustiness due to lack of such exercises. Things are so bland these days, that they are almost boring. Of course, there is the liveliness of twitter (and all the other easy, quick electronic sticks) to beat up or drown out. That is why this Canadian ban development is found startling; and not because it came out of nowhere, but because of the recipient of this unwanted disfavour and now stigma. It opens the door for ruminations.
To begin with, this can be interpreted as a subtle backdoor manoeuvre to balance the scales, from a Canadian perspective, and an attempt to appease the Guyanese government for what appears to be still unexplained and not altogether comprehended official Canadian involvement (or noninvolvement) in that late-night flight by that Guyanese Pegasus, holding dual citizenship. Just so that there is no misunderstanding, that would be the man who fell on a plastic sword and then sought refuge in the safety and security of distance. That was one smart citizen: unlike Icarus of Greek fame and recklessness, the Guyanese flyer did so in the dark, so that the incandescent heat of the sun would not scorch his wings, and send crashing to ground.
Second, to repeat the now well-known: that move hurt and angered the incumbent administration, while it empowered the opposition. The opposition went further and one step bolder with the selection of a presidential candidate that has resulted in head-scratching, bellyaching, breast beating, and general constipating. The selection was powered though, with the full awareness that thick dark clouds loomed overhead; the ground was slippery and fraught with uncertainty; and that the territory beyond delightfully blissful Guyana would be taken aback by the determination to forge ahead and possibly install a party with which there was, is, and would be the greatest reluctances and misgivings to do business. There can be neither ignoring nor disdaining what could-and should-be construed as a shot across the bow; an early warning one, and a very thunderous one, too. It could be: let there be a changing of the mind. And, of this projected Scipio as well. The wise in the midst should not fail to observe that there is no mention of oil. Not a single word, until that reference a moment ago.
Third, and as a last, word, the thinking is that the Canadian jaw of the pincer has moved; there are others.
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
