Dear Editor,
Every Guyanese patriot ought to be concerned about the increased mobilization of the Venezuelan military not far from our western border. Every day we receive reports of Guyanese miners and workers being harassed at places like Eteringbang. Violations on both sides of the border are usually dealt with by the civil authority and police. I, among others, have pleaded with the President, his top advisors and cabinet to dismount from the mountain top of knowing all things, being all self-righteous and initiate meaningful dialogue with the Opposition on two vital matters. One, the use and disposition of our non-renewable bountiful natural resources, oil, gas, gold, diamond, timber, manganese and second, the border issue.
When Venezuela recently announced a proposal for referendum, it was a sensible move knowing fully well irrespective of their political allegiance, every Venezuelan child grew up convinced and believing that Essequibo belongs to them. Has our Government noticed that the American administration has toned down its rhetoric and is now willing to engage the Venezuelan government, and do they know that Venezuela is a founder member of the Oil Producing Exporting Countries (OPEC)? Here in Guyana, a government truly interested in our welfare would have by now put aside their differences and seek to engage the Opposition that represents a substantial proportion of citizens.
Our President and Government should understand that once in office after August 2020, the President and his top brass must put on the robes of statesmen and initiate serious dialogue so that when we speak, whether it be to the mighty conglomerates or an over ambitious neighbour, we speak with the voice, as they say, of all of the people and not some of the people. In that regard, the other side will be bound to listen. Nothing encourages the hostility of an outsider more than the recognition of a nation divided. In the meantime, the Government must immediately put an end to this attitude, inimical to the best interest of Guyana.
First, is the anxiety to welcome thousands of Venezuelans who continue to breach our borders and our ocean front. Are they authentic refugees?
Every Guyanese should welcome with open arms genuine refugees and persons seeking a better life in Guyana. Our authorities lack the capacity to monitor those who are already here as refugees, migrants or interlopers. We have seen in another continent, the realignment of borders where the majority of residents claim, and in fact are of a particular culture and language, so what is to prevent with some military muscle, a group of Spanish-speaking persons in parts of the North West, saying that they are now the majority?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs saying that marking police cars ‘Policia’ (in Spanish) is merely the first step of putting up signs in Spanish in other areas of the country is a betrayal of the efforts of the founders of the PPP, Dr. Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham. Those two titans understood what Independence meant and in a sense supported the song by Dave Martin, “Not a blade of grass.” Editor, in the interest of our young people, I ask our leaders, to sit around the proverbial round table and whether they shake hands or not, to talk and talk so that we can sing and say to outsiders we are singing out of the same song sheet. There are some bits of wisdom that endureth forever. United we stand, divided we fall.
Sincerely,
Hamilton Green
Elder