Dear Editor,
I wish to respond Ms Lurlene Nestor’s letter captioned ‘Burnham should have been honoured by parliament as well as Jagan’ (SN, 27.12.07).
It is true that the PPP/C chose to table a motion in parliament to recognize the contribution of their former leader and President of Guyana Cheddi Jagan during his tenure in parliament. It was not an occasion to celebrate or honour former presidents or members of parliament’s contributions to the House or Guyana. In fact Mr Burnham’s contribution was so significant that it was inappropriate to suggest that recognition of his great work should be an appendage to a motion moved to honour Dr Jagan. I take umbrage to this. One would expect that the PNCR would table a motion at the appropriate time to have the parliament recognize Mr Burnham and Mr Hoyte’s contributions.
Ms Nestor missed the gist of what the Prime Minister was saying. Mr Hinds was pointing out how great it was that your leader(s) sat through the session glorifying Dr Jagan as a great leader. The PNCR tabled an amendment to the original motion and yet stayed through the sitting of parliament while the PPP/C pressed ahead with its agenda. You should therefore not be appalled that the PPP/C chose to honour its leader as it saw fit. You should be appalled that your leader(s) decided to participate fully in such hypocrisy.
My memories of Cheddi Jagan in parliament was hearing about the commotion that was caused when he threw the Mace to the floor in anger, and standing on the table in parliament displaying total disrespect to the National Assembly and the people of Guyana. He was banned from speaking in the National Assembly until he apologised, which he never did. All of this took place while the PNC was in government. It is ironic that 15 years later the PNC now in opposition sits in parliament to debate and honour the said Cheddi Jagan. That’s what I find appalling!
Also appalling is the fact that there is no portrait of our former President Cde Hugh Desmond Hoyte in the National Assembly. This was not even raised during the recent debate. The PNCR must push for recognition to be given to Mr Hoyte. Mrs Jagan’s portrait is in the National Assembly and she served after Mr Hoyte.
While it is honourable for the state to recognize the achievements of any former president it is more important that the political parties to which they belonged, ensure that their contributions are not forgotten. If the party shows little enthusiasm how could it be expected that members of another party that forms the government will be enthusiastic? It is not up to this regime to ensure the first Executive President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and Founder Leader of the PNC/R Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham gets the recognition he earned and deserves, it is up to the leader/s and members of the PNC/R that it happens. The PNC/R recently celebrated 50 years as the PNC, and there was hardly if any mention of such a milestone in the press.
Would it have been too much to ask for a two-page documentary in all our daily newspapers on the history and achievements of the party and our great leader? Ms Nestor, let’s not blame Mr Samuel Hinds for doing what we failed to do. The PPP/C will continue to do as it pleases until we decide enough is enough.
Yours faithfully,
Julianne Gaul