Dear Editor,
The leader of the AFC at a Press Conference on Wednesday expressed the view that the time has come to amend the provisions of the Constitution dealing with the question of dual citizenship.
The framers of the Constitution were wise and knew what they were doing. It was to ensure the integrity and viability of our State, the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.
I believe that if Raphael Trotman’s statement is that of the entire AFC I hope that my Party, the PNC is not persuaded for what appears to be a momentary emotional reaction to an extant public issue.
First, he says that, it essentially shuts the door to the diaspora. This follows no logic that he is saying the diaspora should only serve in Parliament and at Ministerial level.
Citizens who live abroad and have acquired skills must and have always been welcomed to help develop the land of their birth.
A Member of Parliament or Minister functions at the highest decision-making body. Ministers in particular must at all times carry the Golden Arrowhead as their banner and being a Member of Parliament and or Minister is completely different from serving as a professional, technician, consultant or persons who wish to share their acquired skills abroad.
Let us say at an international forum, PAHO, WHO or at the Security Council of the United Nations, the Guyana Government has a position contrary to that of USA, UK, Canada, Venezuela or any other foreign State.
If a Minister representing Guyana swore allegiance to that country that is opposed to Guyana’s position, how can that Minister who holds citizenship for another State vote? Which of the two countries should he or she betray? Betrayal is not too strong a concept for if you read the words when you pledge allegiance, the use of the word betrayal is in order.
How is asking persons who serve at the highest and most significant decision-making body to commit themselves totally to Guyana and to no other country inappropriate? The Constitution is clear.
In some countries when you swear and become a citizen you are also required to ‘renounce’ allegiance to any other Country or State.
Earlier, I stated you cannot serve two Masters.
Trotman also contends that most if not all of us who have stayed in Guyana have families and relatives who lived and worked in foreign lands; this is true, so what is the big deal.
He then goes on to quote from a World Bank Report, which stated that 86% of our graduates now live abroad. So what is the point he is making? Every right thinking Guyanese Leader is aware of the brain-drain; the reasons for this brain-drain, of course is another matter.
Are we saying that these 86% abroad should be persuaded to come back as MPs and Ministers?
Is he saying that those of us who stayed through the trials, tribulations and triumphs of the recent past are not capable of being Ministers and Members of Parliament?
Frankly, I can’t see the nexus.
We welcome the diaspora, we need their skills, whether it is as a highly skilled professional or ordinary technician or to develop with their money, industries and the country as a whole.
Let me repeat, membership of Parliament puts you in a distinct and separate category. Let me make a hypothetical even though unlikely case. Suppose someone who is a Guyanese obtains citizenship of Venezuela, and Guyana went to war what should an MP who holds citizenship of both countries do?
As a youngster, I remembered during World War II, the head of a family in Charlestown was a German citizen, they had a medical doctor who was an Italian citizen; they were both allowed to function but they were placed in a sort of ‘protective custody’ by the British Governor.
He argues that 14% is left with the impossible task to manage our country. This, I don’t understand.
We have been doing pretty well before and after Independence and I can name the thousands who studied abroad and returned to serve. We must know that management and service is manifest at several levels.
You have an aircraft, you have an engineer, a pilot, a stewardess, a handler, a cleaner et al but the person who decides when and where the plane should fly to is akin to decisions to be made by the Minister or MP. In other words, there are different roles in any society that one has to play.
Different roles, different burdens, different types and levels of responsibility, different obligations. The old saying, ‘different strokes, different folks.’
The making of heavy weather of the diaspora is seriously flawed.
Of course, one may wish to make a distinction between persons who were born abroad of Guyanese parents or who grew up as children overseas as against those who as adults made a conscious decision to swear allegiance to a foreign power.
Let me say this, and Raphael knows it, we are part of that number who stayed and walked the walk and there are enough of us capable of Ministerial and Parliamentary responsibility.
Next, from a public relations perspective the Coalition should not allow the Opposition to run ahead. Mr. Jagdeo has stated that one of his members has started the process to renounce foreign citizenship.
Finally, let me make it abundantly clear that Carl Greenidge, Joseph Harmon, Rupert Roopnaraine and Dominic Gaskin are citizens of the highest quality.
I have worked closely with the first two and I am aware of their physical and intellectual capabilities. I have known Rupert for a number of years and he too is a brilliant Guyanese and I express similar sentiments about Dominic Gaskin.
The country need their skills and experience. This should never be questioned and I close without compromise.
You cannot serve two masters and if the time comes for you to choose there will be a severe problem.
Yours faithfully,
Hamilton Green
