Dear Editor,
The story carried in the Sunday Stabroek of June 24 is misleading, if not wicked to say the least (‘No voice from Freedom House on Ramkarran’s “corruption” statement – questions raised as to who runs things’). It seeks to create the impression that our party’s headquarters is without anchorage and has no one to speak for the PPP.
The story is as usual replete with speculation and is for all intents and purposes another effort to belabour the much vaunted view carried in the media by Ralph Ramkarran about corruption. The PPP has never side-stepped or condoned any evidence-based allegation of corruption, extravagance, nepotism, favouritism or any other form of financial, economic or social impropriety.
All over the world corruption is a pet subject for the political opposition. They constantly strive to make the perception the reality. The role of government is to fight corruption, demand the evidence and place that evidence in the hands of the lawful authorities to deal with it.
According to Transparency International fifty-six per cent of citizens in G-20 countries think corruption has increased in their country in the past three years, and only twenty-nine per cent assess their government’s action in the fight against corruption as effective. Guyana is not a G-20 country but the statistics reveal how global the phenomenon is. While we were the opposition we also fought against corruption associated with the activities of the PNC government.
In those days even a former member of the PNC administration came out against corruption. Under the PNC one Minister of Finance had declared in the National Assembly that $1.5 million was illegally spent on the East Coast Highway and not properly accounted for.
A former PNC Mayor of Georgetown was quoted as saying:
“The Director of Audit Report makes grim reading and shows that all is far from well in many departments of government… with ever increasing large sums of money being spent and the heavy taxes wasted from people. We have a right to demand proper care and expending of our money, the keeping of accounts and that the light-fingered gentry in high powered cars be put where they belong – behind bars. Some of those get-rich-quick Wallingfords should be made to explain where their new-found wealth came from.”
Moreover, a top PNC government supporter had cried out against “a new elite creating a new larger area of snobbery with bribery and corruption all over the place and fast becoming a national industry.” He further alluded to the fact that “the harm done in any situation in which bribery, corruption, nepotism and favouritism assume national proportions, and are a way of life from top down can never be calculated.”
Finally, one prominent church leader had this to say: “Bribery and corruption in all forms are prevalent. Money in the hands of the unscrupulous can outbid social justice at every level.”
Allegations of corruption in the PNC administration versus allegations of corruption in the PPP/C administration, where does this take us as a nation? It all boils down to the political struggle of one party against another and in this regard, the use of the corruption platform as a means to an end. Towards this end, the media can play a key role as a political ally of the opposition.
The PPP has a strong and enduring support base that has always been the target of opportunistic politicians, many of whom fell by the wayside while new ones have emerged from time to time. We have always exposed the wolves in sheep’s clothing and showed the people what their real intentions are. We shall continue to do so even in these modern, yet challenging times.
Whether by omission or commission Mr Ramkarran’s statement has given grist to the opposition’s campaign of malignment and slander against his own party’s government – see how fast and furiously they have pounced upon it like vultures descending upon rotting meat.
By contacting Freedom House, Stabroek News sought to elicit a statement from the party on Mr Ramkarran’s view with the sole purpose of keeping the issue alive; driving a wedge between Mr Ramarran and the party; projecting the party in a poor light, and in the end, maintaining itself (SN) as an unabashed and unapologetic ally of the political opposition.
The PPP has mountains of experience with newspapers assuming a political role despite their Biblical Peter-like denials and protestations. This was seen in the cases of the Daily and Sunday Argosy, the Daily and Sunday Graphic, the Chronicle and Evening Post. To be critical for referring to the 1960s won’t change history.
Moreover, due to its international connections, the PPP has witnessed the destabilizing role of political newspapers in other countries, for example under the Sandinistas in Nicaragua, in Chile under Allendé and in Grenada under Bishop.
As was stated time and again the political role of the Stabroek News is clear for all those who have eyes to read. They can deny it as they may, by hiding behind the so-called “independent” newspaper façade.
As a long-standing member and leader of the PPP I wish to make it clear that the PPP does not run any ‘show’ nor are there any ‘shows’ at Freedom House.
The PPP takes its role very seriously and conducts its struggle on all fronts; in the fields and factories, the highways and byways, during elections and after elections, and at the parliamentary and extra-parliamentary level. We mobilize the workers, the farmers, progressive intellectuals, patriotic businessmen and professionals, our women, youth, students and the dispossessed in defence of and to protect their legitimate interests and for the advancement of their livelihoods.
The PPP is in government for the longest period since its establishment (1992-2012). Prior to this, it was in office for only one hundred and eleven (111) days in 1953, for four years from 1957 to 1961 and for three years from 1961-1964. It is to be recalled that following the 1997 elections, President Janet Jagan’s term in office was cut from five to three years under the Herdmanston Accord.
During each and every one of these periods the PPP was subjected to the harshest, most despicable and unrelenting attacks from opposition elements of various shades and hues, yet the party emerged stronger.
For the PPP the journey is never ended. We shall continue down the long and winding road. It has and will always be a struggle to get into office and to stay in office. It has never been and never will be easy sailing for the PPP in or out of office.
The reduced number of seats we now enjoy as a result of the 2011 elections will not daunt the party. In fact, it has energized us to continue the fight as it has always been since the formation of the PPP in 1950. This is the legacy Cheddi Jagan has left us.
Yours faithfully,
Clement J Rohee
Member of the Central and
Executive Committee PPP
