The conversational encounter described hereunder is very much taken from my imagination. The “interview” is probably merely a wish; just hypothetical. But the Fenty questions are quite real. They are what I would actually ask the President of our Republic at this time. Here goes.
The reason the President spoke to me was because only GINA and three PPP/C-friendly reporters turned up for this announced Presidential Press Conference. The independent media boycotted because of Mr Rohee’s threat to “regulate” the media. Hence my opportunity.
President Ramotar knew that I was/am among those who now disapprove of many aspects of his Administration’s governance. And that I too tended to be critical of his own perspectives and management style. Anyhow he remembered me and how he once quipped to me at a GAWU reception that my “old Party the PNC had now become PNC-Deform” After the chuckles the President allowed my questions.
His party, his government
Fenty: “As a former General Secretary of your People’s Progressive Party (PPP), the first real political movement this country has known and being a “product” of Cheddi Jagan, do you feel that this current version of the PPP is reflective of Cheddi Jagan’s creation?”
President: “Mr Fenty you must appreciate that nearly all circumstances of the fifties are fundamentally changed in this 21st century. We remain faithful to Dr Jagan’s ideals; we are organized; we secured the most votes for a single Party at elections and we are as confident as Cheddi would like to see us”. (I did not bother to tell the President that certain political principles never change and that the PPP did lose massive support the last time.)
Fenty: You were forthright enough to state, after your swearing-in, that you won’t abandon young Bharrat Jagdeo’s policies and would utilize some of his considerable skills still. How much influence does he have over and in your government”?
President: “I did say that, but good tested policies, effective programmes like the LCDS will sustain themselves. This is not a Jagdeo thing.” (I did not ask what he and Bharrat speak about when they visit.)
The Economy…
Fenty: If you subtract the earnings from say gold, timber, (even) rice, could you honestly describe our economy as robust or sustainable – and employment-friendly?
President: “Man look at the influx of commercial Chinese and Brazilians, Mexican call-centres! Fenty you must know of the gross economic sabotage by the Opposition right now. Next question!” (I decided not to discuss with Mr Ramotar the power of the parallel underground economy; his role as a one-time Director of a GUYSUCO in distress or all the controversy surrounding the use of State/Taxpayers money for suspect projects. And where are the thousands of jobs he promised Linden during the Election campaign?)
Crime and image…
Fenty: I do have an appreciation of the complex nature of crime in any society, but Sir, Rohee or no Rohee as your Minister, don’t you feel that Guyana’s image as a Crime Capital is escalating – to join other sordid jurisdictions in the hemisphere?
President: I’m glad you understand the complexity of crime – its origins character and challenges. Tell the Opposition to stop blocking investment that would give the youths jobs! I spend millions on equipping the Force. The Police Administration must monitor recruits to avoid rogues. My supporters, and others are being assaulted and murdered. Don’t you project Guyana as any “Crime Capital “Mr Fenty!” (The Preso was becoming very agitated so I switched, albeit to another very sensitive issue.)
Fenty: But, with respect Sir, at this time, Year-end 2013, under your watch Guyana is an obvious, visible, daily drugs-transshipment location, Cocaine is entering and leaving every week, could you suggest Mr President, just who are the big baron – players here? What do your intelligence people tell you?
President: Look Fenty drugs didn’t start with me, next question.
Fenty: How do you feel being President of a country of which the Capital is the most stink and degraded in this part of the world where even Haiti’s Port-au-Prince is cleaner?
President: Advise the Opposition to come up with a Georgetown Rehab Plan. I’ll put them on an IMC – – with funding. Next…
I’ll end even this abridged/shortened Report of my Presidential conversation. Why? Because when I asked questions about the competence of his Office, his Ministers and their advisers – – and when I raised the question of corruption, the President became red in the face and seemed on the verge of exploding. Until…
A Caribbean man? Necessary?
Space will not today permit me a full personalized response to Dave Martins’ views – and lament – with respect to the `Unfulfilled Promise of the Caribbean Man’ in his recent Sunday Column. But it is a significantly important social issue for us to ponder. This is just my first salvo.
Dave wrote feelingly(?) about what writers especially and politicians from the Caribbean promised – or longed for – since the fifties/sixties. The songs created and sung, the aspirations of those West Indians – many in exile – who loved to dream of some regional unity. This I say: Caricom agreements, political governmental treaties notwithstanding, when the citizens of individual Caribbean States have to confront economic realities, their leaders return to immigration laws and other sovereign safety-nets to protect separate turfs. (In the British Virgin Islands they are brutally frank – they speak of “belongers!”)
I know that Mr Martins is given to being a bit more profound on this Caribbean Man Identity thing. That he hopes Vic Reid’s “Rhythm” could be transmitted into a larger Caribbean Soul and Mind. Oh, but the reality is that Colonialism left Barbadians perhaps a prouder little nation than Guyana with its “six races”. That Caribbean consciousness is best manifested outside the region.
How does little Anguilla welcome warmly two thousand skilled but jobless Guyanese from Guyana? Apart from the West Indies Cricket Team, the Caribbean Man plays, thinks and perhaps longs to be American. Because America means image and power, he thinks.
Yes, from Guyana to the Bahamas, we eat and sing from the same or similar origins, but we must not deny our separate unique sounds and habits. I close this first contribution by asking: except for the advantage of an economic Caribbean Bloc, how necessary is a Caribbean Man? Should I ask Leaders, the Caricom Secretariat – or the people.
Ponder…
*1) Great for the Police Crime Statistics and analyses but do we not know why crime is largely perpetrated by the “Under-35’s”?
*2) In my imaginary interview with our President I did ask about his sons and First Lady. I loved the fact that she was once a compassionate nurse. One son, I told him, has to be careful. Alexei and the E-governance cable overruns! Til next week.
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