I’m sincere when I mention that today I’m a victim of saturation, mental burn-out. Ironically, you might wonder. For there is a plethora of “issues” to contemplate, to analyse, to offer comment on this weekend.
But that is where I leave those abilities to those others who are capable of pounding to death, a beetle of an issue with a repetitive sledge hammer.
So I’ll wager: this piece today will rank among the briefest my editor has received from jaded me.
Let’s peek at patriotism. Who is a patriot? “One who defends, or is zealous for his country’s freedom or rights”, one source explains. Of course you can stretch the bits about defending freedom and rights for “miles”. I choose today to be zealous, actually allowing myself to be proud, between this weekend and Easter Monday (April 9). And you know why, I’m sure.
In terms of our South American continental status, relatively little, under-developed Guyana, our country, is the host of the Rio Summit of some twenty Heads of State. I boast that that is a most significant event and opportunity of international acclaim. It is not that we have not hosted international fora in the past. But never these numbers of Heads at one time for a Summit – and not a friendly State Visit.
Think about it: we are the only English-Speaking, former British territory on the continent and we are this week-end being hosts to powerful Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking Heads of State, including, reportedly, Presidents Chavez and da Silva!
If the above is not cause for national pride, I don’t know what is. That’s why I return, for a few sentences, to the issue of Patriotism. A true patriot – like me – should look beyond a government in terms of whether one voted for that administration. When my country’s capabilities, reputation and image are at stake, I am committed to offer some level of support to make such an event as this Summit a resounding success. If only in terms of the environment of the hosts. (The overall success, of course, lies with the Heads.) If only half of the leaders attend, imagine the challenges of transportation, security and accommodation. We got help with translators and interpreters, didn’t we?
Though as a patriot I look beyond whichever government is incumbent, I realize that my government’s ability to facilitate, to negotiate and to provide all that the host should would be under test and scrutiny. But even if not supporters of the present administration we should all want it to succeed as host. Failure must never be an option however much one might dislike the President and his managers. A real patriot and true nationalist will support national success and achievement on this one. Never mind the government will use any success to its (sometimes) selfish advantage! (I’ve worked with past regimes who would have done the same.)
National prestige
Again, this has to do with our collective resolve, reputation and pride. The member states chose Guyana to be hosts. I suspect that whichever political group constituted the government, the choice would have remained. (Except in extreme cases of repression, instability or some other negative security or ideological incompatibility.) So let us all savour – this prestigious event on our Atlantic shores.
I understand that this Rio Group of Heads will seek to broaden and advance its mandate and objectives. It will, in Georgetown, endeavour to craft policies which will ensure the eradication of poverty on the continent, as well as the promotion of social justice. Varying degrees of success attended earlier attempts and groupings – like the Free Trade Area of the Americas, Reagan’s Caribbean Basin Initiative, MERCOSUR (an attempt at a South American “Common Market”), the new SACN, and the Andean Community Pact, among others.
I hope this grouping succeeds in my old dirty Georgetown and that success is sustained in terms of productive programmes, even the helpful, practical bi-laterals scheduled for today and tomorrow. (In this latter regard Guyana will get from it, what we put in) so with pride, prestige and reputation intact, I wish the Summit, full success.
Welcome, Momentous March
1) Another March is upon us. The anniversaries of the deaths of Cheddi Jagan and Kowsilla, the celebration of the Festival of Phagwah, the beginning of Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean – and my late Uncle ABC, and my wife’s birth Anniversary!!
2) We terminated the Utilities Management Contracts of the Severn Trent people and the Irish ESBI fellows also left the GPL. What’s the message here? Baskets to fetch water?
3) So “Mashramani” was a success? On one day? What about the Republic Anniversary?
3b) This fellow John Slingshot Drepaul – the soldier – security man turned Soca/Ballad singer and Monarch really suffers for his native Guyana. More patriotism? In early 2005, he fractured a limb singing at a flood relief concert for Guyana.
Last Friday, the horse and humans caused him to break three bones in his lower back, whilst participating in the Float Parade. Not many leave Florida for pain here. Get well soon, Shot!
4) The legacy of the ICC – CWC! Georgetown is undergoing an unprecedented face-lift. As I’ve remarked. Whatever the motivation, the time is long overdue for the Ministry and Municipality to bring – then maintain – order to the capital. I also welcome the start of construction of two buildings to house commercial banks.
5) Deliberate joint policy – or coincidence of a snub!? I didn’t see the EU or American Ambassadors or the British or Canadian High Commissioners at the Opening of Buddy’s International Hotel two Wednesdays ago. Should I read anything into that? Will their staff be free to visit? Waiting for Court cases to be determined? What? Why?
6) I attended and had a reasonably good time. Why? Even though the President wouldn’t like my sustained position that it is the advent of the World Cup which motivated Georgetown’s Clean-Up?
Because, as I stated earlier: my pride of country, my patriotism, if you like, goes far beyond any President or his petulance. It is not about President Jagdeo or Mr. Shivraj. (I’ve been living here long before them!)
Mr Jagdeo is correct on one score this is about national pride! I want the Hotel to be ready to assist in making our leg of the World’s third largest sporting event a success!! That’s why I welcomed the launch.
All success to Guyana this week-end and for CWC – March 28 to April 9.
‘Til next week!
