In the USA, where thousands of my countrymen reside, former Presidents are still addressed as “President.”
Let’s today imagine that former President Jagdeo, whom, I “profiled” last Friday (to some rave reviews) decided to invite current President D. Rabindranath Ramotar for an in–depth conversation on issues of Party, political and national significance. How do you imagine that encounter would proceed? Well come along and imagine with me.
A brief pre- conversation chat settled just where they would sit- and when. “Donald, I suggest sevenish at State House. I know you’re like me. We don’t always favour that “public” view but it is better you don’t come too often to my mansion, my house, too frequently. For obvious reasons, though we’re both senior people entitled to our personal privacies. So expect me at Main Street. So much to discuss…”
The two PPP/C- produced Presidents, former and current, did meet. It is probably understandable that the fifty-year old former “young” leader, cannot just abandon presidential glory, notwithstanding his public- persona stance of indifference. President Ramotar did pledge to perpetuate the younger man’s policies and programmes – and the younger turks do hold him (Bharrat) out as their quintessential role- model. After all, he made them what they are today. Loss of majority- or not!
Conversation topics, over Hennessy, coconut water, salted nuts and teacups of dhal covered Party strategy, opposition challenges, emerging and evolving difficulties and a few- relevant international developments.
Personalities, Problems, Parliament, Comrades (PPP/C)
Courtesy, protocol, small talk swiftly brushed aside, then the following (imaginary) excerpts.
President Bharrat: “Don, I’m beginning to regret persuading you to swop Shaik from GWI to GuySuCo. Why? Because he has already attracted negative attention from the usual sources, but my contacts tell me that even our overseas sources are not happy with Baksh at GuySuCo”.
President Ramotar: “Man what’s done is done. Shaik will surprise them but it’s Leslie who is worrying me.”
Bharrat: What!? Why?’
Donald:” He is not explaining his massive infrastructural delays convincingly, the rice business is mixed. Panama was a coup but the Essequibo situation is serious. We’ll have to find subsidies for them. Plus Leslie is not too well, you know. He has to go off to New York…”
The two Presidents then switched to the current controversies surrounding Asian Investments.
Bharrat : “You’re doing well blunting their arguments about Baishanlin and Vaitarna. Contextualise forestry within Foreign Investments as a whole. And see? I told you my tactic with Bynoe would pay off some time.”
President Ramotar: “Yes James Singh at Forestry is proving to be solid too, I’m eyeing him for the future. But what about Norway boy? They’re a pain.”
Bharrat: “I know, but hang in. I’m making a few calls. They still don’t want our model to seem a failure. We fail, they look bad internationally…”
President Ramotar: “That ingrate Glen Lall continues his hateful bad press. He can’t seem to forgive you since you turned to Bobby. Is it not time we blow open the whole story about the visa and the role of the Americans?
Bharrat: “No-No. At last not now. Roger did well with the Americans the other day. And let Clement Kerfuffle them with the pre- election strategy. Let Lall use Ram and Goolsarran all he wants our base doesn’t read them. But let me instruct you on Parliament…”
“The real issue, as you know is the actual election date. Overseas is advising me about the time needed for additional funding, to supplement our usual sources and schemes from Georgetown. So I’ve told Anil to protract our delay. Looks like January – or March next”.
Ramotar: “We might have to agree to disagree here Bharrat. I wanted the House prorogued by mid-October, elections early December, after salary increases. I know they’re not ready! Coalition or not!”
Bharrat: “Let’s discuss that by weekend. Trust my instincts and techniques boy. Clement is right inside the AFC and their own business backer as well as so-called Civic Society have agreed…”
President Donald: “Okay we must talk more. Especially about the shock we have planned for Granger, via the Rodney Commission. Boy this week could be fun!”
A few more drinks and pleasantries as the two Presidents parted (How much of the foregoing do you believe? Think with care, hindsight and foresight, before answering.)
On Election Day…
I mean the next Polling Day for General Elections. Since Guyana is a member of all three, there will be official observers from Caricom, The Commonwealth and the OAS. With Civil Society locals, most Polling Places will be expertly monitored.
And the Allan Fenty-idea will be implemented at last: two transport helicopters each will be loaned to GECOM from Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil and Venezuela. For two days before and after Polling Day, these six aircraft will ferry officials and ballot boxes after the count at the places of polling.
The Army will join the Police and Private Security Services to maintain order and peace. Sadly, GECOM will come up short with a few inexperienced and under-trained officials. There will be two periods of electricity blackouts in Georgetown but not towards dusk when polls close. Believe it or not, the turn-out will be among the highest and the polls will be deemed quite fair.
Ponder…
*1) Just where are the world’s Christian leaders? Our Global Collective Conscience should demand that we speak out against the savagery being meted out by ISIS extremists to innocent civilians in the Middle East States.
These Jihadists, mis-using good Islam as their rationale, kill and kill, to establish Sharia Law and extensive Caliphates. In fact, these fundamentalists seem to want to submerge Christianity. No wonder the Argentinian Pope is speaking out!
*2) Thank you Mr Bhulai. I’m pondering. And gratitude to you too Imran Khan. Continue to repeat these columns on the internet. Thanks.
*3) Creative Guyanese answering Heaven’s Call: Farewell Rosamund Addo, Delma Lynch and Eulick Thomas (of the old Police Male Voice Choir.)
‘Til next week!
(Comments? allanafenty@yahoo.com)
