Dear Editor,
I wish to add a comment on the late President, Dr Cheddi Jagan, primarily to endorse an aspect of what Ralph Ramkarran, Nadira Jagan, Dr Tulsi Singh and Oscar Ramjeet have written in recent days.
I have, over the years, been a critic of the Marxist politics of Cheddi and his flaws as a statesman, which culminated in his taking Guyana into the Cold War on the side of the Soviet Union. It was the latter that prolonged the regime of Forbes Burnham by retaining the support of the United States Government (starting with President Johnson) for his infamous policy of rigging elections.
However, I have maintained that Cheddi’s resolve and seminal role in shaping the anti-colonial culture of Guyana are inviolable. This was arguably the principal factor in stimulating Sir Jock Campbell’s reforms on the sugar plantations from the 1950s. I also believe that Cheddi was the most selfless leader in the history of Guyana and the region as a whole. I recall my friend, Dr Fenton Ramsahoye, saying to me, time and again, that Cheddi’s incorruptibility was his greatest attribute. Fenton was his Attorney General from 1961 to 1964, and although he had problems with Dr Jagan’s political philosophy, he has never wavered in his assertion that Cheddi never stole a cent of the people’s money.
I recall, also, Professor David Dabydeen relating to me how Cheddi (after he became President in 1992) would take circuitous routes to conferences, enduring much physical discomfort, in order to procure the cheapest air-fares possible.
Cheddi Jagan made many political mistakes, but he belonged to a very small minority of honourable people to follow the political vocation. For over 50 years, he never sought to enrich himself or his family. He would not be proud of several of those who evoke his name today – pursuing an agenda that diverges significantly from his life of service fed by his Marxist vision.
Yours faithfully,
Clem Seecharan
