Today is to be among my briefest offerings. But hopefully, effectively terse and pointed.
And the observations and shared opinions and advisories which follow are substantially derived from the views of editorial print media writers of this past Sunday. Views; I endorse heartily.
Take the outrageous Venezuela claim issue. Tons have been written and spoken. I always am reluctant to be repetitive, though in my bygone teaching days there was a maxim about “repetition-for-emphasis.” I have read – and even saved – numerous accounts and analyses on the issue, strategically and intermittently re-awakened by beleaguered Venezuelan presidents. So today I utilize, once more, my “simple” layman’s approach to present fundamental aspects and heart-felt advice.
As indicated above I now endorse the background, analysis and conclusions of the Sunday Stabroek editorial, “Venezuela’s rapacity.” I allude to the final paragraphs of that essay. Points which should be continuously considered by concerned and patriotic citizens of our Republic: that the political cum-economic crises in Venezuela are not conducive to national decision making.” (I might add that the Venezuelan status-quo, in terms of its renewed “claim” would hardly change even with a brand new government.); that Venezuela prefers the old sterile “Good Officer” process because it really fears a pro-Guyana judicial decision being made by the World Court – the International Court of Justice; that “it wants arrangements which will allow it (Venezuela) to continue with its ridiculous claim” – the editorial reminds that as far back as 1966 a British official had observed that Venezuela really had/has no interest “in any final resolution to the controversy it has manufactured.”
More awareness, consciousness
The same editorial lauded President Granger’s updates, outreaches and formal reports on the issue but wondered whether he is succeeding in persuading the citizenry about “the seriousness of our situation.”
Good point. Frankly Speaking, the teenager, student, teacher, soldier, man-in-the-street might be aware of the latest Venezuelan “initiatives;” might display some interest when the Venezuelan military bullies hinterland Guyanese and would certainly rally to the sentiments of Martins’ Not-a-Blade-of-Grass.” But after those rousing rhythms, what?
I now humbly suggest a reasonably sustained (national) initiative to raise Guyanese awareness and “informed” consciousness regarding this issue – just as young Venezuelans are oriented.
All schools, clubs, other social organisations must accommodate subjects, lessons, classes on this issue; the curricula, the syllabus must feature it; the media – all types – must produce simple, easy-to-read-and-understand – features for various categories of the population; literature from the Foreign Ministry and university must be circulated along with teaching manuals – (A.A. Fenty produced a cartoon-type publication that could be updated and used); plays and skits depicting the genesis and fundamentals of the issue must be produced.
A few teaching points, besides the history and the validity of our positions should include: the soundness of Guyana’s current approach (to international partners) and diplomatic offensives; how and what national leaders need to say and do; the roles of the United Nations Security Council and the ICJ.
Even as our government’s legal team prepares for the UN and ICJ and perhaps contemplates damages that could flow to us, I urge Guyanese all and our leaders to consider what compensation Venezuela owes for all those investors who left, can’t decide, or won’t venture into our Essequibo. Let’s educate ourselves.
Wasted billions, criminal poverty
Adam Harris, Editor-Columnist, beat me to it, also on Sunday. The latter portion of his column found him speculating about the amount of “money that appeared to be removed from the public purse.” He was actually discussing the alleged and/or actual millions siphoned off via corrupt practices allegedly by officials and “affiliates” of past governments.
Harris concludes that “the money could have built at least three schools…” Understatement! But that is what I wanted to emphasise myself. The State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU) has its work cut out to recover both our patrimony and more routine resources/assets appropriated over the past, say, fifteen years.
I would like someone (like Mr Tony Vieira?) to also quantify the billions lost to the poor through mis-conceived, poorly-managed, tragic “national projects.” Just consider the billions lost through Odinga’s regional “facilities” of some years ago; Skeldon modernization; Fibre Optic Cable; Amaila road; laptops per family; mediocre “new” roads;. Could some young investigative journalist compile a list of failed projects and what those billions could have done for our poor? Employed or not?
I understand that in China those found guilty of economic crimes fare rather badly. Pity us.
For your consideration….
.1) Last Friday I wrote that “A great deadline would be mid-May 2016. that’s when the Brigadier wants his “brand” to be “coronated.” A printer’s devil typed “Band” instead. Sorry…
.2) Not that witnesses didn’t see him stab the victim dead. It was that the prosecutor didn’t “lead any evidence” to show that. So he was judged not guilty. Justice? For whom?
.3) Again I say Minister Greenidge; it’s time to name your (economic) ambassadors – Lovell? Kirton? Singh-Bodden? Case? Waiting…
.4) Ho-ho! Hiding Harmon already? Rotating the Presidency Briefings?
.5) What! I missed the last Budget’s Committee of Supply questions? TUC got eight million? The much larger FITUG, half of a million? Some individual unions much more than others? Naughty!
’Til next week!
(Coments? allanafenty@yahoo.com)
