Dear Editor,
What departed US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch, and other Ameri-cans, couldn’t get done, the Venezuelans delivered. Guyana’s President Ali and Guyana’s Opposition Leader Norton spoke. I am unclear if it was at arm’s length, or telephone to telephone, but a “briefing” there was. Well, well! As reckless as this may sound, perhaps there is some utility in getting Venezuela to rattle its sabres some more. It gets us on the same wavelength.
This is unbelievable, isn’t it? We cannot clear the ground to speak on anything in pursuit of common ground. But there can be conversation (“briefing”) when the national hair is on fire. Guyana cannot be stuck in such a dark age that it is only in times of high national threat and lurking tension that there is remembrance. There is remembrance and gratitude that this country has other people and constituents, besides our own tribe(s). It is good that the President and the Opposition Leader shared a briefing. I wonder if this could be the beginning of something. A large part of me hopes that it is not the end of the beginning that never got off the ground.
Sovereign and territorial integrity is as good a national binding cement as any. But it just can’t be for that single concern, that one existential crisis, either of which could do more than rock this country on its heels. It could fell Guyana or, at the very least, lay it low. We have to be made of more than this. I believe that we are, but have allowed hubris and greed and weaknesses and lusts to control not just our words, but our minds. Venezuela is in the now and over there, and it will have to be dealt with very sagaciously and strategically. The first component has to be a Guyana that is totally committed to the idea and vision of a comprehensive, inclusive nationhood. If not, the enraged Venezuela that stands can run all over us. No rhetoric, none of what is the usual racially dogmatic, will help us overcome challenges and threats as a nation, survive as a society, if we remain divided. More than our words have to be involved; the fiercely burning fires of our hearts must be so consumed.
A briefing is the start that I read about, hear. I agree. I laud. We need each other, we are in this together. That doesn’t call for any deep analysis. In the simplest expression, it is the wisdom of commonsense, the height of the practicality that just has to be. Together we could manage; apart we are sure to be savaged. The Venezuelan threat will pass, for Guyana paid highly for its insurance. It is held by a company whose name begins with an ‘e’ and it is not equitable. Oh, America, America, what will I do without thee….
All those people in Venezuela flouncing around, and their not-so-subtle hints at belligerency brandished at high volume, know this. Nevertheless, this country needs the psychic comfort of a briefing involving its principals, meaning, President and Opposition Leader. My hope is that when the noises from across the border fade, for the time being, there will be other briefings encircling government and opposition in the same programmes. One is about patrimony. All such programmes must be about the people, all of them. This is my little briefing.
Sincerely,
GHK Lall