Dear Editor,
Please allow me to take this opportunity to join in welcoming our African leaders to Guyana. I say to them ——Karibuni sana,sana. I am certain that they will find themselves enveloped in the warmth of the hearts of the Guyanese nation.
This morning, at 2 o’clock, I lay in bed listening to the quite meaningful words of welcome being extended by President Ali. Apparently, however, because of his relative youth, he lacked awareness of the late Forbes Burnham’s sterling contribution to the struggle by the Freedom Fighters of South Africa, hence failed to pay due recognition to same. Perhaps, President Ali could avail himself of knowledge from his Cde. Rohee or Cde. Oscar Clarke of the PNC, concerning President Burnham’s introduction in the Guyana Parliament of measures to allocate funds and make other forms of assistance available, some of which were actually opposed by Dr. Jagan. Those of us in prominent positions must take care to ensure that such errors do not significantly devalue our clarion calls for nation-building!!
From around May 1985, a small group worked on a project which resulted in agreement for Joint Governance between the People’s National Congress and the People’s Progressive Party. Mr. Burnham would have remained President and Dr. Jagan, become Prime Minister of the country. Unfortunately, President Burnham died and his successor, Desmond Hoyte, rejected the proposal out-of-hand. I still remember Dr. Jagan’s state of disappointment as he was aware of the latter’s attitude towards him. I still share the goodly doctor’s despair. So many Guyanese would appreciate the progressive environment which such a venture would have created in our dear country.
In the year 1996, one year before Dr. Cheddi Jagan died, he stated in a speech in Toronto that the Black people in Guyana were at the bottom of the social ladder. Of course, there was much protestation against this statement but he held his ground, pointing to our general poverty. In comparison, we the Blacks, have stood our ground in education but have not been able to climb any higher on the economic ladder. In due time we have become involved in the reparation movement, Our historians have written enough about the ridiculous post-slavery treatment meted out to us, the gross injustices we have continued to suffer even after Emancipation. We have learnt that President Ali has lent his support to the cause and in this respect has actually spoken out at forums demanding Reparation.
Dr. Jagdeo has been indicating that it is Government’s intention to sell by, year-end, all the oil blocks yet to be harvested. There is no better way in which the PPP Government can manifest its support for reparation than by allocating two (2) of these blocks to the descendants of the formerly enslaved Africans. This would not only manifest concern but also make them leaders in its fulfilment. Any Black “entrepreneur” who dares attempt to enter the fray will find himself/herself totally outbid by the members of the merchant-class, waiting in the wings. Further, the PPP should be mindful of the Party’s legacy – should history record that in the record-breaking gas & oil industry of Guyana no one of African origin was allowed to participate in this patrimony!! We look forward to an early and most favourable response from President Ali.
Sincerely,
Malcolm Parris CCH
