Dear Editor,
Reference is made to the articles titled, “Opposition offers support to gov’t in facing down Exxon” and “Absence of a united front allows oil companies to exploit our differences -Patterson” (SN and KN respectively, February 27). At long last, and it is a screamer of a public position that causes blinking, given that it took so long. If it is genuine and represents a full-fledged commitment to take the fight to the corporate exploiters and dividers, then I am all for it; I like the thought, the language, and the essence of what I believe is enshrined in ‘facing down’. I reiterate where I stand below.
For this country to stand a ghost of a chance in its struggle to obtain a fair footing (to be “ready for a better deal”) with Exxon, it must be the most solid of monolithic entities. There is no other way: it must be as one, where this oil and gas wealth is concerned. I further say this, though I am aware that it could be wishful thinking: the standard of unalterable and unflinching togetherness in challenging, standing up, staring down, and overcoming (partially, to be sure) Exxon could set the blueprint for how we approach other areas of our natural resources endowments. I am all for it. Even though it took the longest while to get so much as a peep from the opposition, there it is, and if welcomed enthusiastically and honestly by the government, if handled wisely at the strategic and tactical levels, the rest will follow. Something will have to give, and from the direction of those who come from the outside.
From my perspective, a significant contractual overhaul is out of the question; but through a process of dogged and enduring attrition we can (together) labour assiduously to erode the obstinacy of Exxon’s head honchos. We can face down their arrogance and smugness with togetherness. No contract in the world can conquer the will of an enraged and determined people; particularly those who feel that they have been cheated and embarrassed. And if the PPP government is authentic in seeking material whittling away at some of the more egregious provisions in the contractual arrangements with Exxon, then headway can be made. The last thing that the movers and shakers at Exxon, the strategic planners and calculators, desire to see unfold here is a people united and mobilized, because they believe that they have been taken advantage of and shortchanged humiliatingly.
Editor, I think this move puts the spotlight first on the PPP government, and leaves it in a bind, given what I believe has been its quiet and cunning leadership bonding with Exxon. Today, though, is not the time for that, and I withhold any doubts, mute any criticisms. I should also present that I entertain strong misgivings about the depth of the coalition opposition’s offer, but time and developments will confirm or disprove as to what the two political majors are really about, and how they will seize (or not) the opportunity to work together and present a united and unbreakable front. To paraphrase Napoleon: the corporate sword hanging over this society’s head, and weighing heavily against its every move, could always be defeated by a true and fervent national spirit. It starts and continues with robust and fearless leadership, political leadership.
Further, a united political front marshalled against a gigantic corporate power sets the bar that determines where our so-called civil society and professional class and landed aristocracy and commercial interests stand. The challenge would be profits versus patriotism; the prospering bottom line of rich cash flows, as against what is good and best for country and citizen.
I close by setting this on the table: the insights that come from wise foresight are better than the best hindsight. By now, hindsight should have taught us the error of our ways and the fragile crumbling mediocrities that are obvious from our feeble postures when arrayed against the corporate powers of the world. We can do something about that, and which offers a chance for the remedial to take hold. I urge that it should start now. All Guyana should gear up for a tough struggle, and a no holds barred fight with Exxon.
Sincerely,
GHK Lall
