Leader of the PNCR Robert Corbin yesterday tendered another motion to parliament calling on the administration to support an international inquiry into the government’s alleged involvement in the ‘Roger Khan and the phantom squad’ affair.
Corbin who is also leader of the parliamentary opposition had stormed out of parliament when Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran had refused to entertain a motion to adjourn the National Assembly to discuss a similar motion.
The PNCR said in a news release yesterday that Corbin has taken the advice given by the Speaker in his ruling to submit a substantive motion and now he is also requesting the “three-day” rule be applied to permit the motion to be dealt with speedily by the National Assembly.
And in a letter to Speaker Ramkarran on this subject, the PNCR leader recalled that “on the last occasion that I participated in the business of the National Assembly, I moved a motion in accordance with Standing Order 12 to discuss an urgent matter of public importance.”
That matter, Corbin said, concerned the explosive sworn testimony, given on Tuesday July 28, 2009 and Wednesday July 29, 2009, in a New York Court by Selwyn Vaughn, a witness under protection of the US Government.
That testimony, Corbin noted, “provides essential information about the assassination of prominent journalist and activist, Mr. Ronald Waddell; the murder of over two hundred Guyanese youth by a phantom squad, headed by Roger Khan with the support of the Guyana Government; the complicity of the Guyana Government and named officials”.
Corbin also explained that when the Speaker had ruled that the matter was not urgent and could not be entertained under that item of the Order Paper, and “given the gravity of the matter and the overwhelming concern of most Guyanese your ruling not only stunned me, but also caused me to temporarily (lose) control of my emotions.”
And offering an apology for his conduct in the National Assembly on that occasion, Corbin said he had difficulty in appreciating that the highest court of the land could treat a matter that affected the basic constitutional rights of the citizens in such a manner.
“In any event, having regard to the status of the National Assembly, in the context of the very constitution upon which I rely, I should have controlled my reaction in a much more appropriate manner.
In those circumstances, I apologize to you and the members of the National Assembly for my reactions on that day.”
Corbin said further that “I, as I always do, accept your ruling and now comply with the directions given that the said matter can be raised again in another motion.
Consequently, on the eve of the sentencing of self-confessed drug lord, Roger Khan, I am submitting another substantial motion, calling for the said inquiry and trust that your Honour will now be disposed to having the matter dealt with under the “three-day” rule to permit the said motion to be considered speedily by the National Assembly.”
The letter to the Speaker was also copied to the Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs, AFC leader Raphael Trotman and Opposition Chief Whip Lance Carberry.
