Dear Editor,
I wish to comment briefly on a letter recently penned by James Bond, APNU Member of Parliament. In his letter Bond contended that suspension pending an enquiry is common practice and totally above board. He also alluded to the upcoming party elections by saying that all challengers have a right to contest but he went on to imply that these very people are wolves in sheep clothing.
I agree that suspension and interdiction are normal administrative processes and so is “remand” in the court system. However there are occasions when these processes are used as punishment in themselves as in the case when Mark Benschop was imprisoned for years by the PPP on a trumped up charge. I am aware of a recent case in the PNCR where disciplinary charges were brought up against a member and that member was barred from contesting elections at Congress on the grounds that charges were pending but as soon as the congress was over the charges were dropped. Therefore the question is, is Ms Kissoon’s suspension the institution of the punishment that is anticipated to follow the formality of disciplinary hearing, is it an effort to prevent her from participating in the upcoming congress or is it a case where it is felt that if she continues to function as a member she would magically have the ability to impede the functioning of the disciplinary committee?
An order for her not to contact the Party’s General Secretary would have addressed the reason given for her suspension. However, Mr Granger when beyond this and unilaterally suspended her. It was an act of punishment without a hearing. This cannot be right and it is a clear case of abuse of power.
It is known that Mr Aubrey Norton is contesting for the office of Party Leader so it can be concluded that the “wolves in sheep clothing” statement is directed at him as if to suggest that he has a hidden agenda to do damage to the PNCR. For him to make this accusation shows that Bond doesn’t know the history of Norton’s contribution to the PNCR. Bond does not know that when he was supposedly banished by Mr Hoyte, Aubrey Norton, because of his love for the PNCR, sneaked around to do party work for elections with no chance of recognition or parliamentary seat etc. He does not know that it was during Aubrey Norton’s tenure as General Secretary that the PNCR had its largest and most effective mass mobilization for political action effort. Surely he is aware, that even though sidelined by the PNCR leadership Aubrey Norton continues to work quietly in traditional PNCR constituencies, not to win support for an office but just to contribute to their development and well-being. If this is a wolf the PNCR needs more wolves and less sheep.
The fact is, there are few in the PNCR who love the Party or are more committed to its development than Aubrey Norton. James Bond should be made to apologize for even suggesting that Aubrey Norton has a hidden agenda to harm the PNCR.
Yours faithfully,
James McAllister