PNC forum generates more opposition to Beal deal
TWO resolutions, one calling for a petition with signatures demanding that the Beal Aerospace deal be scrapped, were passed Wednesday evening by a cross-section of Guyanese at a City Hall forum. (Last Friday, Prime Minister Sam Hinds and Vice-President Beal Guyana Launch Mr David Spoede formally signed the necessary documents thereby consummating the arrangement.) The other motion, adopted by a gathering of some 130 people, urged Government to cease granting concessions to foreign companies until all Amerindian land rights are settled. The assembly, organised by the opposition People's National Congress (PNC), generated critical views on the bid by Beal to construct a satellite launch site in the North West District. PNC member, Mr Deryck Bernard chaired the two-hour discussion guided by a panel comprising PNC Parliamentarian, Mr Lance Carberry, Ms Sheila Holder of the Alliance For Guyana AFG), Ms Sharon Atkinson of Amerindian People's Association (APA), Mr Eze Livan of The United Force (TUF) and Ms Jean La Rose of Guyanese Organisation of Indigenous Peoples (GOIP). It was Holder who initiated the call for signatures to be sent President Bharrat Jagdeo protesting that the arrangements with Beal were "unsatisfactorily negotiated" and recommending that a "competent Guyanese with the appropriate expertise" be identified to push for a "more favourable" bargain on behalf of "the people of Guyana". Atkinson piloted the other determination which said Amerindians want Government not to sign the Beal agreement, on the grounds that it supersedes the laws of Guyana and disrespects their rights. The Beal proposals came under fire from the agitated assemblage, including PNC Leader, Mr Desmond Hoyte as persons vented their feelings on the issues in the spirited debate. Atkinson said the people of Barima/Waini (Region One) are "sad and angry" over the Government's involvement with Beal. She said Government authorities did not inform those residents prior to entering into negotiations with Beal, even though the signing of the pact would have serious adverse effects on their lives. The Amerindians are "troubled about the physical and psychological consequences" of relocation after being told that the land to be taken over by Beal was "uninhabited swamp". According to Atkinson, the natives are occupying State lands, have no right to be there and could be removed at one word of command. She said that, of the 76 families occupying the area at stake, only two persons had knowledge of the plans and they were "certainly not representing the wishes of the people of the community." Holder said investors coming to Guyana are "armed with the knowledge that the Government is desperate to clinch a major investment deal." The consensus of opinion Wednesday night was that Government: * had failed to do a basic check or a due diligence study on the company before starting to negotiate and making promises; * had no knowledge of the Beal assets and relied on data posted on the Internet regarding the financial credibility of the investor; * accepted "the indignity of a paltry" US$400,000 to dislocate 76 families and residents in the target area; * willingly handed over "an inordinately large" portion of land, 300,000 acres at US$3 per acre to Beal, when Guyanese households and local investors are being denied access to land and, when given, have to pay exorbitant sums per house lot; * agreed to "an unbelievable" 99-year tax holiday for Beal, effectively denying the National Treasury of much needed revenue, amounting to impropriety, aiding, abetting and short-changing the nation, through a concession fit for the Guinness Book of World Records; * failed to include in the agreement assurances that the satellite project and land should be used for peaceful purposes only; * entered into negotiations with Beal even though its rocket and satellite system had never been tried; * granted Beal right of first refusal; * agreed that the Army and Police could not access territory taken over by Beal, effectively allowing Beal to establish a sovereign enclave in Guyana; * would accept only US$25,000 per successful rocket launch when Beal can always say that the launches were never successful and * pledged that Beal would not be subject to Guyana's Factories Act.
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