Dear Editor,
I am no stranger to political rhetoric on the hustings. I have spoken to extremely large crowds at political rallies at venues including the Square of the Revolution, New Amsterdam, Wismar/Linden, Bartica, Lethem, Corriverton etc, in addition to scores of whistle stop meetings. So I can testify that it is easy to get carried away, for being overly exuberant, for getting caught up in the moment. But I have always maintained great respect for our citizens and apologised when I have over-stepped the line.
Mr Winston Jordan’s, MP, declaration on the husting in Bartica, ‘war break’, has been receiving a lot of attention. Also receiving attention is the explanation of his colleague Mr Ronald Bulkan, MP. In my view, both gentlemen fall short of what is expected of now seasoned politicians. All Jordon had to do is to say sorry for any misunderstanding caused by his ‘war break’ comment.
Having failed to do so, Jordan needs to be reminded that his spoken words could have a negative impact on the economy of Guyana. He should know that his ‘war break’ comments could drive fear into local business persons operating in the Georgetown commercial zone and all commercial districts and townships. That the ‘war break’ comments could also drive fear among workers in those environs, create fear among public transportation operators, cause fear amongst school children and their parents and fear among the general population.
Bulkan, a former leading business executive and winner of a prestigious entrepreneurial award, at the very least was expected to come out in full condemnation of any ‘war cry’ emanating from his party, and to be equally strident in condemning the PPP/C or any other political party, who beat such dangerous drums. Instead, his stout defence of Jordan, now justifiably exposes him to the accusation that he is unconcerned about the welfare and well-being of owners of businesses, their families, their staff, and the tens of thousands of persons who depend on such businesses for their daily livelihood.
Both gentlemen should be reminded that the history of the world is replete with examples of the first victims of ‘war break’: ethnic groups and the business communities. Would Jordan and Bulkan be as strident if they or their immediate families owned businesses or real estate in Georgetown and its immediate environs? I doubt that very much.
I led political demonstrations from the front as part of the leadership of the PNCR, and witnessed first-hand the mayhem and havoc caused by irresponsible utterances and rumour mongering. I witnessed sections of Georgetown being razed to the ground, including my father-in-law’s store on Regent Street, by hooligans who infiltrated a peaceful protest. I witnessed the senseless beating of innocent people old and young, predominantly of Indo-Guyanese extraction, by persons who gave their own interpretation to political messages, and I watched impotently unable to stop any of it.
This is the danger of Jordan’s ‘war break’, where persons hell bent on rioting and destruction, use as a pretext to do so, an interpretation of ‘war break’ as a political directive to create mayhem.
Already, dozens of persons have contacted me concerned that they will be targeted by agencies under Mr Jordan’s ministerial control, because unlike me, they are perceived to be supporters of political parties outside the coalition umbrella.
Fear is starting to grip our nation and ‘war break’ is no laughing matter; it needs urgent withdrawal not insulting explanation. If the current ministerial outreach is a strategy that evolved from the post NCM analysis, then it is a positive commendable reaction; it ought to have been the political preemptive strike by the ruling party not a reactive expression. War cries emanating from senior party and government functionaries are certainly not the panacea and solution for our country on the cusp of economic transformation.
Yours faithfully,
Jerome Khan
Former Member of Parliament
PNCR
