Dear Editor,
My attention has been drawn to a letter in the Guyana Chronicle of March 10, 2022, which is ostensibly a response to a letter written, by me, regarding the exclusion of the Opposition from national events generally, and more specifically, the recently concluded International Energy Conference and Expo.
I have chosen to respond to Mr. James Hamilton, presuming that this is a real person, for two reasons: 1) because I was pleasantly surprised that the letter was not written in the usual caustic and vitriolic style of defenders of the government where the messenger and not the message is attacked; and 2) the writer raises some valid points, five in all, that require a response.
Firstly, attention was drawn to an invitation issued by H.E. President Ali to former President Granger to join him in a conclave of former Presidents, which Mr. Granger declined. At the outset, I should state that I hold the view that a meeting of former Presidents is a step in the right direction, and I have said so publicly before. I am sure that Mr. Granger is well able to speak for himself, so I stop short from offering an excuse, except to say that the circumstances of the invitation may need to be examined. Was four months after the election too soon? Was there an agenda (Mr. Granger’s practice insists on having an agenda for any meeting)? Was this meeting meant to be a photo-op? What I can say is that President Ali should not be deterred from keeping his idea alive as I do not believe that Mr. Granger is either unreasonable or unpatriotic so as to refuse any invitations for engagements where he could make a meaningful contribution.
The writer may not have been reminded that in July 2015, two months after the General Elections, then President Granger invited Mr. Jagdeo for talks on the formation of five bi-partisan committees in the important areas of – National Unity, Budget, Borders, Agriculture, and Security. Being present, I am at liberty to say that Mr. Jagdeo raised the issue of his party’s lack of recognition of the APNU+AFC government and the fact that there was a pending Elections Petition that hindered the PPP’s ability to take up the invitation to participate in the committees. However, and to his credit, Mr. Jagdeo stated that where Guyana’s borders and sovereignty were concerned, there would be the fullest cooperation and support of the government’s position and actions. In 2020, history has obviously repeated itself.
The second issue raised by Mr. Hamilton is the absence of a Leader of the Opposition, therefore making it impossible for regular updates on developments in the petroleum sector. The short and appropriate response, of course, is that from September 2020 to February 2022, there was an elected Leader of the Opposition in the person of Mr. Joseph Harmon, and still no briefings occurred. Further, there is a designated Opposition Spokesperson in Mr. David Patterson, who I am sure, would have welcomed the briefings. Lastly, there is now a presumptive Leader of the Opposition in Mr. Aubrey Norton, and I am sure he would not be averse to receiving the updates in a few weeks’ time.
On the third matter iterating President Ali’s intention to engage the Opposition within the framework of the Constitution, one can find no reason to doubt the President’s sincerity in this regard and expect him to keep his word. He appears to be a man of his word.
The fourth matter raised is that of the legitimacy of the government – a valid one. Every government – whether a dictatorship, military regime, or a duly elected one, seeks and expects to be accorded legitimacy. Of all the points raised by Mr. Hamilton, this is the most critical. Indeed, this has been a bone of contention since August 2020, and even before in 2015, and needs to be resolved as a matter of utmost priority. Fortunately, we have overcome more strident and difficult issues, and so I am confident that there is a body of politicians, both present and past, who can assist in resolving this issue. It can only be settled by dialogue and compromise. Unfortunately, since 1992, our quarrels have had to be mediated, and while we ought to be embarrassed that after five decades, we have not matured to the point of being able to handle our business on our own, we need to accept the reality that we may require some third-party intervention once again. However, I am confident that the issue is not as grave as some make it out to be, as for all intents and purposes, the country is proceeding to be governed with a Parliament (President and National Assembly), and a functioning judiciary to name just three indispensable organs of a democratic state that are in place and intact.
Lastly, and fifthly, a complaint is made about the conduct of the Opposition representatives at a meeting convened by the Vice President to settle and agree Guyana’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) ahead of COP26. Not being present, I can’t defend or impugn their conduct, but know that it was determined beforehand that the Opposition’s representatives would make a strong objection to the entire process of “consultation” or lack thereof. Additionally, the importance of the fact that the Opposition showed up to an invitation cannot be understated, which is more than can be said for the then Opposition when it failed to attend a similar event ahead of COP21 in 2015.
The Vice-President leads everyone to believe that he is made of sterner stuff and therefore ought not to have been so easily rattled by a boisterous opposition presentation. I doubt, therefore, that this complaint was raised as a serious complaint.
In closing, I reiterate that the response by James Hamilton is a refreshing break from the nastiness that now characterises our political discourses and augurs well for the future. I add that I don’t believe that there is a single patriotic Guyanese who is not willing to embrace and support President Ali’s ‘One Guyana’ initiative. However, after two years, it remains just an idea, and there has been no substance added to it, and time is running out. In this regard, as we move forward, Mr. Hamilton’s own words are worthy of repetition: “If we are going to work together and have true inclusive governance, at least, let integrity prevail and mutual respect. And (sic) this is important for the country’s political and economic stability.”
Sincerely,
Raphael Trotman
