Dear Editor,
Under the Constitution of Guyana, our country is described as a democracy, and in a democracy the government is of the people (citizens), elected by the people and works for the people. I felt that that civics lesson was necessary after listening to Dr Roger Luncheon at a press conference a few days ago expressing the PPP/C administration’s “grave concern” that Brigadier David Granger, Brigadier Edward Collins and Commissioner of Police Winston Felix were all actively participating in the current political process. Dr Luncheon saw this as dangerous, and even hinted vaguely that there should be some type of legislation to prevent this from happening in the future. It is here that I would like to remind the good doctor that Guyana is a democracy, and those who serve in uniform are also citizens too. Their choice to serve this nation in uniform does not destroy their constitutional rights, and nor does it eliminate their right to serve, freely associate, and freely choose the political party that best expresses their values.
If we were to examine history and look in our own hemisphere, we will see that several heads of government in the Western hemisphere, especially in Latin America, have had leaders who served in the military. In fact, in mature democracies like the United Kingdom or the United States of America, service in uniform is greatly admired in someone seeking public office, for it shows that person’s dedication and commitment to service to their nation.
In keeping with that theme, 32 of the 44 Presidents of the United States of America have served in the military: 15 in the army, 9 in the militia, 6 in the navy, and 2 in the continental army. President John F Kennedy, one of America’s most beloved leaders, was a naval lieutenant. General Dwight D Eisenhower became President after serving his entire adult life in the army, with his last military post being Supreme Allied Commander during World War II. Then there was General George Marshall, who served as Chief of Staff of the army, military adviser to President Roosevelt, and after retirement served as US Secretary of State, and then as Secretary of Defence. As Secretary of State, General Marshall was responsible for enacting the plan to save Europe from famine and economic disaster after World War II, and for that he was named Time’s Man of the Year in 1947 and awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1953.
Closer to home, our first Guyanese Governor General, David Rose, also served in uniform. After returning from England, David Rose joined the Police Force and rose to the rank of Assistant Commissioner (Crime), and in 1960-61 he served as the Defence Officer to the Federal Government of the West Indies, before being appointed Governor General of Guyana.
Editor, the largest single group of voters at this year’s elections are younger than 35, and many get their information from NCN, GINA and other government controlled news agencies. It is therefore important that credible and independent news sources like yours provide information to refute the type of propaganda that is disseminated when someone in Dr Roger Luncheon’s position makes remarks like the one he made at the press conference in question.
With the Joint Services scheduled to vote tomorrow, what message was Dr Luncheon and his party sending to the young soldiers and policemen? Was he saying that they were only worthy and of service to the nation once they were on active duty, but once they retired or ended their period of engagement and entered politics they then became “dangerous” (Luncheon’s word not mine)?
I would like to think that our country would be better served if we drew on the service of our retired military and paramilitary men and women. They have been well trained, and many have been exposed to modern systems of governance, sometimes at great expense to the taxpaying public. This pool of human resources can be a resource to help with planning and building our hinterland cities, managing our government departments, and staffing special vocational academies that train and equip school dropouts and other challenged youths. This is the message that a forward-thinking government would send to its men and women in uniform, especially on the eve of an election, assuring them of their worth, not trying to bribe them with a bonus, while diminishing their sacrifice.
Yours faithfully,
Mark Archer
