Dear Editor,
I have been following events relative to the reaction of the government to words spoken by Mr Carl Greenidge at the funeral service of Mr Winston Murray. Truth be told, I should have written my response some time ago, but the Christmas festivities got in the way. With Christmas over, there is nothing to prevent me from adding my two cents worth to the ongoing discourse on this matter.
I believe that previous writers were right to dismiss any idea that words from Mr Greenidge’s tribute can be construed as an attack on the Jagdeo administration. If I remember correctly he spoke of “decades” of decline. How can this apply to this administration when it has been in office for approximately eighteen years? Mind you I see why Mr Jagdeo and his cohorts would be incensed by references to the lack of visionary leadership in Guyana.
My main concern is the Caricom Secretary-General’s almost immediate response to Dr Luncheon’s revelation that the Government of Guyana had written the Caribbean Community Secretariat to the effect that it had “lost confidence” in Mr Greenidge because he had “offended” the Jagdeo administration. Dr Carrington, when questioned at his year-end press conference about this matter, said he was not sure that Mr Greenidge could be sanctioned for his remarks because his contract was coming to an end. Did the outgoing Head of the Secretariat mean that should Mr Greenidge’s contract be extended he will face sanctions? I hope not. If this is the correct interpretation of what Dr Carrington’s remarks mean, then he will be guilty of bowing to pressure from a regional government, a situation which is an unacceptable practice in the regional organisation.
The officers at the Caribbean Community, especially those from Guyana, must be concerned since such a development has implications for them. They must stand up and ensure that staff are allowed to perform as independent professionals and not become pawns of regional governments.
I hope all those influential individuals who have played a role in the development of the Caribbean Community, regional academics, and members of the diaspora will speak out boldly against this dangerous and unprecedented development.
As we pursue the necessary task of Caribbean regional integration in this challenging period of globalization, we must have available to us, our best minds, who can confidently carry out their duties without the distraction of petty domestic politics and the agenda of selected governments.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)
