Hello there Comrade Minister. The “comrade” is a salute to and recognition of your former Communistic but still Socialist-oriented disposition. “Minister”, of course, denotes your governmental, Cabinet status as an Executive Servant of the People. “Sir” comes from our old colonial culture, less than knighthood but that form of respect for a male (superior)
Let me start with early-days trivia. You will recall and agree that we both attended Bourda R.C. Primary on Regent Street in Bourda in the fifties. That makes us early school-mates but, Frankly Speaking, I’m not sure which one of us is proud of that, though I’m your senior – – if only age-wise.
Dr Cheddi Jagan later embraced and nurtured you after discovering you on the side-walks of Robb Street’s Metropole and Freedom House. My genuine pride of and over you derives from the fact that you learnt swiftly: PYO/PPP Communist/Socialist ideology and world orientation; your education during PPP visits to numerous countries including the then Soviet Union and Cuba (do you still have that uniform?); your steadfast loyalty to Cheddi during your 28 years in unfair exile; then your triumphant return as a Minister of Foreign Affairs. Despite what your critics state and despite my own regrets over your dismantling of the PNC’s excellent foreign affairs hierarchy and policy, those early come-back achievements are worthy of respect, Sir.
Recent behaviour, current status
It could be the vitriol against you by the Opposition and earlier gutter journalism by a certain editor, which made you somewhat surly-looking over an extended period. Try to smile at least twice a day, comrade. We all make bloopers about geography and with grammatical language. It’s what you do successfully for the greater good, that matters. How do you think you’ve been doing?
Your current ministerial portfolio includes superintending: the nation’s Police, Prisons and Fire Services; the Naturalisation of Africans, Indians, Chinese and Brazilians who, for various reasons, actually desire to become citizens of our l and; the production and issuance of Guyanese passports; the GRO which must issue certificates to prove that we are born, married- or dead; defining our ports-of-entry and departure; our police colleges; the National Registration Centre and Elections Commission! The stray-catching unit that should rid our roadways of horses, cows, sheep, jackasses and goats (especially goats that might want to bite you!).
Now the partial list above indicates responsibilities that often could become burdens. Are you really up to all that now? Mentally? Physically? Professionally? Are you confident of the various advisers and teams around you? Leaving out the frequent past and current scandals that beset a Police Force that has lost its way, I suggest respectfully, that you do not have a full grasp of the intricacies of internal security. Probably due to inappropriate advice. Look how your many “National Drug Strategies” fall short.
No nation is truly “independent” Comrade. That’s why, even if certain top lawbreakers are known to you and yours, your government should welcome external assistance including the American DEA, for national security. (You do it continuously for other areas of national life.) And oh! Find a qualified managerial , military type to succeed you. (Check a few other Caricom States around us.)
The General Secretary’s Health
I often wonder, Cde Rohee, about your personal and political mindset when Comrade Janet nurtured and catapulted that Unity Village – Moscow Economist-State Planning Young Bharrat, over you. When I listen to former Comrade Moses, I think I could feel your pain even though you held your tongue and internal party position(s).
Now, like Comrades Cheddi and Donald, you are the Party’s Supremo – the General Secretary. What authority! But I suppose you’ll say these are the dynamics of a new era. This is not the PPP of Comrade Cheddi! Not after the Presidency of Cde Bharrat. Socialist to the core, you must balk sometimes at the capitalist life-styles of these young Comrades. Or have you too “evolved”?
I close this little memo to you by wishing you the best of health as you retire from the Ministry to concentrate on your Party and Elections. Both responsibilities are not healthy for you.
Both you and the female MP who badgers you in the House had to rush off recently to a foreign land where better health services are guaranteed. So reduce your work-load. The Opposition doesn’t want you in the Assembly or in your Ministry. Even though I feel that the mere change of persons, as Minister or Georgetown Mayor, does not guarantee necessary change, I agree with the Opposition. Good Luck School Mate!
The Pragmatists, our Philistines
I explored this a few years ago. Another Guyanese icon, Rafiq Khan, caused these repeat paragraphs.
At Terry Holder’s farewell service at St Andrews last week the urbane, silky-voiced Rafiq intoned: “Have you noticed how the Philistines have taken over in this place?”
At the very rear of the church and congregation was I – not able to catch all his words but “Philistines” was enough to trigger my own daily worry.
Now the early (Biblical) Philistines were warlike people who harassed the Israelites. The Philistines were aggressive, hard-nosed dudes who were not given to considerations of art, aesthetics and intellect. So it is/was that even modern-day persons considered by one generation to be materially-oriented, gross or uncultured, are described as Philistines.
Georgetown and other large Guyana districts are to me, being overwhelmed by Philistine-like “development”. And this generation could be excused for welcoming it. The massive concrete-steel edifices with no artistic touch; the decline of the pristine Bourda Cricket Ground; the Fish Freezers on Quamina Street, the potatoes and onions on Middle Street, even by the once-beautiful Promenade Gardens, all speak to the dominance of today’s Pragmatists – tough no-nonsense businessmen whose commerce and profits know no art, beauty or cultural legacy. Poor us, the older dudes. And pity an under-funded’, placid National Trust too…
Ponder, Wonder…
*1) Next Friday, I’ll revisit Government’s Public Servants’ plight. Why compare with the Burnham era today? Is the GPSU, as currently “elected”, relevant?
*2) Reasonable response to APNU’s Roopnaraine on the “pristine-forest intrusion,” from Robert Persaud who now has ministerial responsibility for our National Patrimony – imagine that …
Shades of Bharrat Jagdeo in Robert’s Response. But not end-of-story.
*3) To those asking: To contact the Civil Society GNCPP, telephone 629-9899, 231-1544, 218-0452. And there is a website
Til next week!
(Comments? allanafenty@yahoo.com)
