By Abigail Headley
Stating that he has never rigged or supported the rigging of any elections, former Prime Minister Hamilton Green has apologized for a statement he made recently which suggested that he was calling for, and supporting the rigging of elections.
During the airing of the LFS Burnham Foundation Annual Commemorative Symposium last week, Green was heard saying, “… if they say he (former Prime Minister and President Forbes Burnham) rig elections I say we should keep rigging to save us from these devils, these bastards, these demons that we have”.
When contacted by Stabroek News about the statement, the former Mayor of Georgetown, while stating that it was imprudent for him to have made it at such a forum, stated, “I openly apologise to my wife, family, friends, and detractors… for any discomfort I may have caused by my words”.
Green also said that what he said must in no way be construed as justifying rigging. He added that no matter what he is ready to believe that two wrongs can’t make a right. Green was Prime Minister during a key part of the PNC’s reign where general elections were rigged. He had also been opposed to the involvement of the Carter Center here in electoral reforms which eventually led to free and fair elections in 1992.
The former Prime Minister further apologized for the harsh words (devils, bastards, demons) that he used in his statement.
“Those were strong words. And I apologise… I apologise for the harsh language that I used”, he said.
During an interview with Stabroek News (SN) on Tuesday, Green criticized the government for what he perceived to be a lack of action in ensuring that the wealth of the country benefits all its citizens. He further highlighted issues such as unfair contracts, mismanagement of resources, and violations of collective bargaining rights as major concerns.
The former Mayor also delved into history, discussing past instances of electoral fraud and the role of Afro-Guyanese in educating and providing opportunities to other ethnic groups in the country. In the video recording of the symposium, Green was also heard saying to those at the gathering, “Beware of that group who still believe that they have an opportunity to recast history and be ‘pon top’. The history of this country suggests that the only people who deserve to be ‘pon top’ are those whose ancestors suffered for centuries without a cent. We welcomed the indentured people [and] gave them an education, and Burnham sought to unite the people.
When questioned on this, the 89-year-old said that the famous saying “aweh pon top” began in the 50s and 60s when the People’s Progressive Party (PPP)’s supporters went around chanting same.
“I don’t know exactly what I said but you have the tape. I said that nobody deserves to be ‘pon top’ and if anybody deserves it is those who toiled for years on the estate and the plantation without a cent. Others who came subsequently benefited from conditions being improved, etc. That is what I meant,” he further explained.
Green’s closing remarks which created a stir in the media, were part of a speech he gave during a live and recorded video that was posted on the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)’s Facebook page.
Back in 2020, the long-time People’s National Congress executive was branded as reckless for his call to then-President David Granger to disregard the constitution and rule regardless.
“I would say my young brother, David, remain calm and remain optimistic. You have got to be optimistic. In another few days or another few weeks, it may be unpopular in other quarters; a massive step forward to take us out of this confused environment, and for the sake of your children, and our children and their children, do what is necessary. Put aside the constitution, put aside the laws. You are at this moment, and we hope for a long time, Commander-in-Chief,” Green had been heard saying during a guest appearance on Benschop Radio.
When questioned at the time, regarding his statement, he had told this newspaper that his words were just a “lapsus linguae” (slip of the tongue).
