Dear Editor,
I refer to a letter from one Harry Gill, under the caption, ‘Corbin must produce all evidence to save whatever credibility he has left,’ printed in the January 11, issue of Kaieteur News.
His earlier letters give the false impression that he is interested in a PNCR victory to depose the dictatorial PPP. Indeed, he arose out of nowhere to champion the band of advocates for a particular PNCR presidential candidate, while using the opportunity to hurl virulent and unfounded personal attacks on the Leader of the PNCR. He then shifted his advocacy after his alleged, preferred candidate could no longer undertake the task. A keen reading of his letters, however, indicates that he has no real interest in the PNCR, but appears to be an agent provocateur, bent on creating confusion. Gill should be advised that the PNCR membership is much more intelligent than he perceives and will not be baited into making irrational decisions.
If this Harry Gill is one and the same whom I met some years ago, his only claim to fame then was the composition of three calypsos which he had hoped would have brought him national acclaim. I know nothing of his political activism or his knowledge of current events in Guyana, but, from reading his letters, he appears quite naïve in the area of politics and obviously needs some lessons, which I am still prepared to offer. Unfortunately, it appears that the letter columns of the newspapers provide a convenient platform for pseudo-experts and false prophets to pronounce on everything in all fields, but who have never gained recognition in any.
I am not in the habit of responding to letters to the editor, since I am a firm believer in freedom of expression. Mr Gill should also know that no member of the PNCR has ever been penalised for freely expressing their views. That erroneous impression has only been created by those who speak of free expression, but believe that theirs must be the only accepted view. The letters also provide an opportunity to examine a variety of viewpoints, even if they are sometimes illogical and unfounded. However, Mr Gill, from his own writing appears not to know what side he represents, when he regurgitates, almost verbatim, the response of President Jagdeo to my statement that he had sought three legal opinions.
My political objective, as the PNCR press statement clearly emphasised, was to place President Jagdeo and the PPP on notice that we were aware of their plans and to alert the nation, as I believe it is my duty, to their machinations. Whether President Jagdeo denies this allegation is irrelevant to me. Those who sought legal opinions must know that any denial, public or private, would diminish their credibility in the eyes of those from whom the opinions were sought. My concern, however, was to let President Jagdeo know that his plans are not secret and that objective has been achieved. I am not in the business of pleasing Mr Jagdeo, as my job is to represent the interest of all Guyanese.
If Mr Gill is so concerned about evidence for credibility then I am surprised that he has not similarly written an impassioned plea for President Jagdeo to release the tapes containing the evidence of PNCR politicians consorting with criminals at Buxton; tapes which President Jagdeo claimed to have had for years. Nor did I read about his interest in Mr Jagdeo releasing evidence of his alleged marriage to the former First Lady. And, while I am on the subject of evidence, I have not seen Mr Gill ask Emile Mervin to produce evidence of the lucrative retirement package that he alleged has been prepared for the Leader of the Opposition. For the record, let me state here and now that no such package exists. Mr Mervin must produce the details or shut up.
The only special retirement package approved by the Parliament was one passed by the PPP last year for President Jagdeo. That package provides him with a retirement pension equal to the salary of any future serving President; duty-free car concessions for life, staff and chauffeurs for life as well as generous yearly travel allowances. I have not heard either Mr Gill or Mr Mervin comment on these anomalies.
The Leader of the Opposition has no special retirement package and he is subject to the provisions of the same Pensions Act that has been in existence since Independence, ie, he will enjoy a pension like any other MP or constitutional office holder calculated on the basis of his last or highest salary from a pension scheme that is contributory.
It is obvious that I have contributed to that scheme for over thirty years and the funds accumulated are mine and not the property of the state. If, indeed, the emphasis is on credibility, I call on Mr Mervin to produce the evidence.
Returning to Mr Gill, I wish to advise him that, while he is entitled to his opinion, he should be keenly aware that an opinion is just what it is. So if he feels that my credibility has suffered then that is only what he thinks, but, fortunately, his view is not shared by the majority of bona fide members of the PNCR. They are the people whom I serve.
Yours faithfully,
Robert Corbin
Leader PNCR and Opposition
