Dear Editor,
Guyana has suffered a grievous loss in the passing of this distinguished citizen, David de Caires. My first encounters with David came in 1962. He was then a practising solicitor. He was quite shaken by the political turbulence of that period.
He applied his considerable and sharp intellectual insights and independent mind to exploring political solutions and was engaged with Lloyd Best, Miles Fitzpatrick, Rashleigh Jackson and many others in critical discourse about the state of the colony (as it then was) and in the publication of the influential fortnightly − New World.
From then on he never gave up on matters of public interest nor did he give in to the crushing forces of partisanship. He tolerated neither the excesses of the state nor the arrogance of ruling parties.
Notwithstanding his thorough dedication to his legal firm, David found time to become involved in activities, in many forums and public appearances, to stand up against violation of constitutional, legal and social rights and interests throughout the dangerous times we have passed through.
The great culmination of his outstanding services to and his love of Guyana and the exemplification of his entrepreneurial skills came with the bold launching of the Stabroek News, which under his guidance has been institutionalised as one of the guardians of human rights and independent journalism.
David was an exceptionally enlightened Guyanese and a social innovator. He was personable, broadminded, and a man of unshakeable integrity. He arose from Guyana’s precious middle class which was a repository of learning, intellectualism, patron of the arts, and a significant source of expertise in statecraft.
I am in many ways personally indebted to David for his support when I battled through a profound conflict with the PPP leadership in 1965, for his participation in what I consider to be an important sequel in the history of independent political organisations since the sixties − the Committee For National Reconstruction, and for help from his firm (which included Miles Fitzpatrick) in the starting of my legal practice in 1970. My thoughts are with his wife Doreen and family and the entire staff of Stabroek News.
Yours faithfully,
Moses Bhagwan
