Dear Editor,
I refer to Minister Manzoor Nadir’s letter ‘Greenidge was not fired by Caricom; his contract came to an end’ (SN, January 7, 2011). According to the Minister he advised Caricom, “The Government of Guyana places on record our total lack of confidence in Mr. Greenidge’s ability to represent it. We are urging you not to have Mr. Greenidge be involved in any negotiations that would impact on Guyana or in any negotiations on behalf of Guyana.”
Mr Carl Greenidge was employed by Caricom as a negotiator on behalf of Caricom, inclusive of Guyana, and for the government to urge Caricom “not to have Mr. Greenidge be involved in any negotiations that would impact on Guyana or in any negotiations on behalf of Guyana” implies clearly that the government wanted Mr Greenidge fired, because what is involved in his job are the things the government is requesting of Caricom he not be involved in.
It is now misleading for the Minister to tell this nation and the region’s people that Mr Greenidge’s contract came to an end after he played a leading role to deny him the right to work. His argument is even more disingenuous when some of us are aware that Caricom has sought funding for the continuation of Greenidge’s tenure.
Simply put, Caricom acceded to the government’s request and decided not to renew Mr Greenidge’s contract. As such Mr Greenidge was technically fired at the government’s behest. The Minister by his own quoted extract has so confirmed it.
Yours faithfully,
Lincoln Lewis