Dear Editor,
“There was no detention or interrogation, it was a simple courtesy being extended”. The speaker was Minister of Natural Resources, Hon. Vickram Bharrat in response to a question from SN. A word of gratitude to the minister for clearing the air. Next time, sooner is better, minister. The problem is that what should clear the air has fogged it more. Another is that Vickram Bharrat has been around Bharrat Jagdeo for so long that he has become a light replica of that remarkable leader. The shifts in what is said, the subtleties in what is not said; and the gaps that leave the good minister in a bit of a muck.
First, what is this business of “there was no…?” There is considerable room for maneuvering in that construction, which sounds suspiciously like one that had its, ah, refinements. More powerful and persuasive would have been ‘I was not detained. I was not interrogated. I was not at any time subject to any ruff stuff (however that is interpreted). I was not, and so to hell with all of the mischief mongers.’ Minister Bharrat said that “I don’t take these things personally.” Minister Bharrat must be commended for his tough skin. He said that twice: toughness reiterated. Why was that necessary, when according to him he was being afforded “a simple courtesy?” There is nothing in a very tight cordon, this detention-less and interrogation-less courtesy, that calls for “I don’t take these things personally”, what I think qualifies as a non sequitur. Sounds like sparring with something and overkill to me, even being a smidgen on the defensive side.
I could understand that Minister Bharrat was casually and innocently (my words) asked about oil. The world is gushing about Guyana’s oil, so that makes perfect sense, even coming from uninitiated escorts selected by a random drawing of straws. I am willing to buy that one about oil from the minister, but relative to his being jovially asked throwaway questions about gold that is a fine kettle of maggots. The “simple courtesy” extended to Minister Bharrat suddenly comes dangerously close to a hunt for info, a shakedown, what the Yanks call a squeeze play. Just like my fellow Americans at JFK, I am working beyond the call of duty to give Minister Bharrat all courtesies belonging.
Could the minister be naively (sorry) mistaken, in that the courtesy extended to him was a walking interrogation in disguise? Or a moving detention by another name? Questions, questions, and more questions. This was what I meant earlier when I said that the more that air cleared, the more it got smoggier. What was the role of that full stop: his diplomatic passport, in steering the courteous proceedings to less sensitive national and personal interest grounds? It is delightful to learn that Minister Bharrat’s passport still has a valid US visa stamp. Way to go, bro.
Seeing that this was all that transpired in Jamaica-Rockaway Beach, Queens, I think the minister has powerful ammunition against that veteran journalist, whose Facebook’s post he called “mischievous.” Then again, Minister Bharrat is a jolly good fellow, all hale and hearty now: “I don’t take these things personally.” He is one of a rare kind, especially considering that menacing demand sent on his behalf for an apology and whatever was to follow thereafter. Given his long-delayed, and I am sure long studied and well-tested, clearing of the air, he stands on even stronger grounds today. Frankly, this bland and tranquil version of Minister Vickram Bharrat is no fun at all. Simply boring, less bold and beautiful for my liking.
Sincerely,
GHK Lall
