Dear Editor,
The contrast in the practice of diplomacy between one and that of the majority begs the question: If every country were to get itself involved in each other’s internal affairs what would the world be like?
Surely, international comity would be turned on its head. International comity is a principle of international law where ‘one state to the greatest extent possible recognizes the legislative, executive or judicial acts of another.’ The now departed US Ambassador breached this fundamental principle. The central question is, did he act on his own or was he acting in accordance with the imprimatur of the US State Department?
Dr Roger Luncheon, Head of the Presidential Secretariat made it very clear that Ms Manickchand’s statement had the imprimatur of the state of the Republic of Guyana. At the time of her speaking, she had full powers. So what if Minister Manickchand was “booed and heckled,” the question is who did it? Video footage shows that the usual suspects were involved. These are the individuals who spend their days and nights plotting and planning ways and means of seeing the back of the PPP/C government.
There is no mystery about the praxis of diplomacy. Diplomats are sent abroad to engage in advocacy for and to advance the interests of their country. The ultimate aim is to influence others to support their views. In other words to make them their allies. The challenge lies in the application of those interests to the domestic political, economic and social peculiarities of the country to which the diplomat is posted or to ‘lie’ on behalf of their country.
Here in Guyana we host several ambassadors, high commissioners, delegates and resident representatives representing their governments and international organizations. They all enjoy the basic privileges and immunities offered and guaranteed by the Government of Guyana. With the exception of a few sporadic statements that can be described as undiplomatic and interference in the internal affairs of our country, the majority of diplomats here in Guyana have held steadfastly and honourably to convention and the orthodoxy of diplomatic practice. The former US Ambassador carved out for himself the role of the elephant in the room.
As regards the claims that Ms Manickchand’s staunch representation of our country’s sovereignty and dignity was a “cuss down,” “vulgar” and “undiplomatic,” all this is nothing more than useless twaddle from a few posturing messiahs and untrustworthy egoists who probably pay no taxes, have no TIN certificate and make no tangible contribution to improving the well-being of the Guyanese working people. Like peacocks strutting the diplomatic circuit this useless bunch display pretentious airs as traffickers of modern ideas, when in fact they are nothing more than a gathering of gurus of fathomless ignorance.
To those who claim that the PPP deprecates the help rendered by the US to return democracy in 1992, they should be ignored. The PPP has always made reference to the strong support extended first and foremost by US Congressmen and Senators and above all by former President Jimmy Carter and later by President George Bush. That’s part of our history and only ignoramuses would not know that.
But what must never be forgotten or downplayed is the decisive, arduous and central role played by the Guyanese people at home and abroad in forcing the PNC to hold free and fair elections.
So here is the logic of the intellectual skunks who never cease to distort history: When the hand that once helped you now abuses and mocks you, shake it and say ‘thank you.’
‘Boysie’ Ramkarran once told me a story. He said one day an Englishman was making the rounds of his East Coast plantation when, in the presence of one of his gardeners he expelled a fairly audible flatus. He quickly turned and stared at the gardener and asked “Well?” To this the gardener replied, “Excuse me sah!” Smiling to himself the Englishman moved on to continue his rounds of his plantation.
I dedicate this story to all those who may wish to play the role of either the gardener or the plantation owner. The choice is theirs.
Yours faithfully,
Clement J Rohee
General Secretary
