Dear Editor,
Please excuse me for not submitting my opinions to your publication for quite a long period but I was just looking on and observing the political events as they unfold. Sometimes it is better to reflect, be quiet and make critical observations before speaking out. First of all, I would like to praise your efforts on behalf of the democratic agenda which is, first and foremost, local elections. Local elections in one year was the promise made to me personally by the President when he enlisted my support in the last 2011 elections and as a candidate on the PPP/Civic list, I am pleading with that party to hold local elections before this year is over. The threat of a no-confidence vote and general elections is no excuse for delaying local elections. The PPP leadership should remember that President Cheddi always wrote about and demanded local elections and it was he who made sure these elections were held after three years of his tenure as President. If they really believe in President Cheddi as the founder-leader, then those in the PPP would immediately hold these most important elections which are really the bedrock of all democratic institutions. It is really very simple for the Guyanese nation to understand: governments which do not hold local elections are a threat to the very security of our democratic traditions , including our constitution and our very freedom which so many struggled for over the years.
Editor, the second point I would like to comment on is the ongoing debate over reparations for African West Indians whose ancestors were enslaved by European powers , namely Portugal, Spain, France, Holland and Britain.
The African slave trade was barbaric, inhumane and most of all, enriched the white powers beyond all expectations at the expense of African people who were basically treated like animals and exploited for great gain by the white man. African villages were sacked and burnt when the slavers expanded their business empires with the aid of those governments involved in the slave trade. Millions died en route to their final destination; families were destroyed in the name of profit; sugar estates brought huge profits for the white powers while these estates would have fallen apart without black slaves toiling day and night. So, Editor, I fully support Mr Eric
Phillips’ position on reparations and as a member of the PPP/Civic list of electors, I urge that party to support, through all its connections, the issue of reparations which is now before the Caribbean community; it is the right thing to do.
Yours faithfully,
Cheddi (Joey) Jagan (Jr)
