Dear Editor,
President Ali is caught on the jagged prongs of a dilemma. He turns to the left he is in trouble; he looks to the right, and he would be in the wrong. I feel sorry for him: he is damned if he does, and demonized if he doesn’t in this matter involving “unauthorized” actions relative to the US$214 Exxon pre-contract audit. Twist it or tumble it on its head, there is a provocation hanging over His Excellency, it can diminish him.
Before proceeding, I present my stance. This is less of the man and leader, Dr. Irfaan Ali, and all about the highest office in the realm, the presidency. Although President Ali has slipped considerably, I share today, so that he doesn’t collapse completely. To put gently, the President must handle this clever business about “unauthorized” actions by Natural Resources Minis-try personnel with astuteness and vigour, so that all respect for him, and his office, does not evaporate.
Frankly, I think that “unauthorized” is imaginary, the latest slithery foxtrot in a swamp of slickness. When even senior ministers are cowed into biting tongue, crawling on knees, and gnawing fingernails, then it would be one daring public servant (or group) of unparalleled valour to have contemplated, much less attempted to giveaway to Exxon what was reported. I ask again: somebody identify a public servant in this country, who would release on his or her own US$105.5 million to Exxon? Show me, please, the official who possesses the testicular strength and is intestinally muscular to cheat Guyana out of its GY$21 billion plus share that that half of US$214 minus US$3 million represents.
To Excellency Ali, I offer this humble morsel: this is more smoke and mirrors, with fire behind the smoke. Dr. President: the office of the presidency its dignity and honour is being desecrated. Do something, please; do not accept as regular business, compliments of an out-of-control human train. I make this personal, Dr. Ali: the season of this governorship is being insulted, with shadowy subterfuge fabricated, through sweet stratagems that reward others; the leader is diminished to a placeholder.
If this is allowed to pass, then more shenanigans will emerge. This is a test case for a party showdown and throw down. I say let it be. I extend this helping hand because there is appreciation for the efforts. Though I differ with plenty, I still give significant points to His Excellency for working within the narrow circle that the presidency now encapsulates. There is certainty that this present will be read by watchers and protectors in the Office of the Presidency.
Clearly, after three years, the tag team charade wears thin and thinner. “Unauthorized” encircling big money is the latest repugnance
pasted on the wretched that is the handiwork of rogue(s). The President must gather his allies, select when to swoop. All political debts have been paid in full, through the absorption of other profanities that lead to the President’s loss of face. It is time that President Ali breaks out and comes into his own.
No quantity of spinning, no vacuuming, is going to make this patented nonsense about “unauthorized” actions disappear into the usual fog and murk. President Ali either acts with determination and courage, or he will forever be consigned to the role of commander bystander: a commander-in-chief in charge of cleaning up after his fake friends and comrades.
Sincerely,
GHK Lall
