President Carter’s work should earn him unequivocally the title of exemplary Citizen Activist

Dear Editor,

The international media and political pundits have lauded Mr. James Earl Carter for his post-presidential undertakings, not lastly for his interventions in promoting peace globally, as well as his efforts to assist the disadvantaged in the developing world via, inter alia, his Habitat for Humanity programme, and the establishment of the Carter Center.

We, here in the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, owe a sincere debt of gratitude to this 39th President of the USA and his team of skilled and knowledgeable Elections Observers of the Carter Center, for helping to ensure Elections in Guyana were free and fair and free from fear. This was achieved because of President Carter’s adherence to the rule of law and his active pursuance and promotion of established tested and proven local electoral protocols, policies, procedures and principles, which together combined to be the functional bedrock on which the implementation of the democratic processes is built.

Having personally experienced President Carter’s actions during Electoral Missions, at which we participated, I am fully convinced that he possessed that conviction to lead exemplarily with courage, perseverance and humility, while facing down some awesome national leaders during elections.

But beyond these activities, was his advocacy and warnings against the epidemic of materialism which fuels environmental degradation, the power of special self-interests and political extremism. The decades that follow have shown that diagnoses of the ailment were correct, and the acquisition of wealth is not the only reality. His work, more than that of most leaders who followed him, should earn him unequivocally the title of exemplary Citizen Activist.

Yours faithfully,

Dr. Steve Surujbally, A.A

Former Chairman of the Guyana

Elections Commission