Dear Editor,
As we observe the 55th year of Independence, I expect that our leaders, our political parties, religious organizations, industry & commerce will ponder why we have not yet been truly free and liberated as a people, free from the mental chains by those who set out to dominate and control us.
We were all brought to Guyana in different ships and different circumstances.
Our indigenous people were not spared with the onslaught of imperialism, when they were utilized to hunt and return to the plantation runaway slaves.
This anniversary should remind us how lucky we are. A place with even climatic conditions and no natural disasters, such as hurricanes, volcanoes, etc.
Recently, our political directorate on both sides of the house seem consumed, if not obsessed with this question on Constitutional Reform, the adjustments to electoral laws and systems.
Whatever minor adjustments to the above may be necessary, it will not deal with the core issues that have for generations been a burden on the backs of this nation.
It is the need for unity, understanding and compassion.
Indeed, listening to a top Govern-ment official last week, we were told of the processes to effectuate changes in our electoral system and how useful the input of the Inter-national Republican Institute (IRI) will be, and the response by the Opposition.
Both sides are either unaware of our past experiences or have a delight in what will be no more than a “pappyshow,” a waste of money, time and perhaps to some, a diversion away from the gut issues.
As we embrace another year of Independence, our collective energies should be directed to ensuring that our leaders set aside their petty differences, set aside their pride, put down their pomposity and seek divine guidance so that all of our political leaders can have a change of heart and therefore put in place the lofty words, which we heard about a One Guyana and which will be repeated laboriously during this week of Independence.
Unless that change takes place so that our leaders have a sense of justice and decency and are genuine patriots, no amount of adjustments of the Constitution and Electoral laws will solve our deep-seated inherited problems.
I am an optimist and still hope that in spite of recent public statements, all sides of the political divide will put an end to the tirade of accusing the other of all sorts of improprieties.
When will we understand that the best way to extract maximum benefits from those who come to invest and in particular the harvesting of the non-renewable resources, is for us not to talk about but to be truly One Guyana, where we try to fulfill the dream of being One People with One Destiny.
A phenomenon noticeable everywhere is the failure of leaders to learn from experiences and to recognize the old adage that in unity there is strength.
I am saddened when all of our leaders, I repeat all, behave like urchins looking down and not looking ahead, particularly in dealing with the outside world.
Some examples are necessary – Dr. Jagan in his book The West on Trial, accuses the West or the new term, the ABCE countries of doing him an injustice. Of course, he ignored the dynamics of the Cold War.
During the oil crisis and struggles at the United Nations and elsewhere, the PNC adopted a similar stance.
In the 80s and 90s, secret quiet talks were going on to engage in certain adjustments, since both Dr. Jagan and Forbes Burnham, as they told us, recognized that the winner takes all or the dominance of one political group over the other could not work in the interest of Guyanese.
After Burnham’s unexpected demise in August 1985, I tried to reignite this laudable project.
For reasons best known to himself, President Desmond Hoyte, Leader of the PNC was hostile to such a project.
When the PNC Leader with the support of so-called civil society and the PPP engaged the Carter Centre I argued that our culture and experiences were alien to them and they could not be of real help.
I expressed my strong objection insisting that if our Independence is still meaningful, we must be able to sit and talk, and talk and talk to find a happy modus vivendi.
I have since apologized for referring to Mr. Hoyte as a “school-boy.” The rest is history.
Another issue seemed to be a belief by all of our political parties that the Courts and the Judiciary can solve what are essentially political issues. This I argued is a monumental mistake.
Political issues must be settled at the political level.
In 1961, the PNC Candidate, was successful in the election petition, the Court ordered that a by-election be held. Between 1961 and 1964, the Government failed to comply with the Court Order. End of story.
Last week, there were two issues which begged the question – Are we committed to the policy of One Guy-ana? As is becoming the norm, five senior Police Officers, of one grouping were hauled before the Courts. No further comment is needed at this time.
In Guyana, very few businesses owned by certain Guyanese have been successful.
The Government picked up Cevons Waste Management, Car Care and Courtney Benn.
I happened to be aware of certain aspects when I was Mayor for one of the three firms and to the best of my knowledge there was neither impropriety nor illegality.
But last week, the Government announced that they will not be proceeding with charges and so these entities must now live with a sword of Damocles, hanging over their heads.
I can hear the brother of these businesses, saying to the powers that be, the words found in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, “Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world. Like a Colossus, and we petty men, Walk under his huge legs and peep about To find ourselves dishonourable graves.”
These are some of the issues that we must ponder as we observe our Independence anniversary and be reminded as one Philosopher said the word “change” designates one of the most conspicuous and most pervasive features of our sensory and introspective experience.
To penetrate the thick fabric of arrogance and self-destructive attitudes, we need change among the leadership of all our parties and so-called civil society.
Yours faithfully,
Hamilton Green
