Dear Editor,
In his book, The Wild Coast, the author, John Gimlette, refers to his brief interview with me (conducted in a public place at the Pegasus Poolside) and then proceeds without my knowledge or sanction to embellish the scenarios, using his author’s licence. This has caused me much annoyance and distress as it could be misinterpreted by readers, especially my former colleagues from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), that Gimlette was my appointed interlocutor and was representing my points of view.
This is furthest from the truth.
The Ministry of Tourism and John Gimlette contacted me some time in 2009 and asked if I could grant him an interview as he was a travel writer and wished to be advised of some routes and places in the hinterland of Guyana which could help to promote Guyana as a destination for persons from overseas. He had obviously spoken with other Guyanese before seeing me because he seemed well briefed.
He mentioned that he had heard of my military service and of my involvement in the Rupununi Uprising in 1969 (I had written on this subject as the Archives of Stabroek News would reveal, in refuting allegations of GDF troops being involved in the massacre of Amerindians and speculations that there were unmarked graves in the Rupununi) and in the aftermath of the Jonestown tragedy of 1978. He had also spoken with a former Commissioner of Police about the transition from the PNC-led government to the PPP-led government in 1992 and of the role of the GPF and GDF in that transition.
Clearly, in his book, Gimlette used these bits of information to embellish my role, much to my embarrassment. What I find particularly offensive and distasteful is the subjective reference to me in my capacity as Chief of Staff, as an officer of Indian descent commanding a Force comprising a high percentage of Afro-Guyanese.
Those of my colleagues who have served alongside me in the GDF would know that I am a very private person, unwilling to beat his drum in public or to score cheap points at the expense of others.
In all of my writings, reports and public utterances, including at my farewell parade in 2000 as Chief of Staff, I have always emphasised the team approach, the importance of demonstrating unselfish leadership by the Officer Corps, the Officers’ professional and interpersonal relationships with the Warrant Officers, NCOs and soldiers, and the debt we all owe to the rank and file whom we command. I therefore wish to unequivocally and unreservedly dissociate myself from the references made by Gimlette to his perception of my role in operations and in command and especially so, where these diminish the significance of the contributions and involvement of my former comrades-in-arms.
I cannot direct what someone writes but I can certainly seek to clarify and to dissociate myself, as I hereby do, from utterances or writings which border on racism or denigration of the quality of service and performances of co-workers and especially of my former colleagues and comrades-in-arms.
I extend my best wishes and high regards to all Officers and Ranks who served in the Guyana Defence Force and in those particular operations referred to in Gimlette’s book.
Yours faithfully,
Joseph G Singh
Major General (rtd)
