RICKEY SINGH COLUMN
Guyana Chronicle
May 20, 2001

ON FRIDAY (May 18), I participated, along with David DeCaires, editor-in-chief of the 'Stabroek News', in the radio talk show of Jamaica's popular 'Breakfast Club' on current political developments in Guyana. David and I have frequently participated, by invitation, on that programme.

On another occasion, I will probably share with readers how a leading Guyanese opposition politician abruptly terminated his participation in that programme one morning, rather than face my live response, much to the surprise of the hosts and our shared amusement.

Last Friday, the hosts were interested in focusing attention on the origin, progress and meaning for Guyana of the dialogue between President Bharrat Jagdeo and Opposition Leader Desmond Hoyte

The listening audience was updated on the number of bi-partisan committees established since the dialogue, initiated by Jagdeo, got underway on April 24.

They were also informed about the implications of new political threats from Hoyte's PNC/Reform following charges instituted against two controversial television talk show hosts, one of them a candidate of that party for the March 19 elections.

And, of course, the great need for what is clearly lacking - the goodwill to stimulate confidence, across the ethnic/political divide, in a country still painfully counting the social and economic costs of the PNC's post-elections politics.

As I noted on the 'Breakfast Club' programme, the fact that so much media and public attention could be paid to the Jagdeo-Hoyte dialogue, including reporting on body language, if and when they smile, or whenever they shake hands, only serves to underscore the depth of Guyana's political problems.

Because the culture of consultation and dialogue has been absent from the body politic for so long - as a direct consequence of the PNC's preference for street protests and 'bullyism' politics - there is now the danger that, helpful as the Jagdeo-Hoyte meetings are, substantial issues could be ignored for details about committees, personnel and terms of reference.

In Jamaica, as I said on the 'Breakfast Club' programme, when the leaders of the main parties found there was no alternative but to denounce political violence in specific terms, when they could not afford to cover up the crime of their own 'gunmen', they did more than talk.

They visited the violence-wracked communities and called for truce to avoid greater mayhem. They met and exchanged views, as the situation warranted, and not wait to be coaxed to do so.

The Contrast

Here in Guyana, the contrast has always been the reluctance of the PNC, perhaps the most arrogant, race-oriented of major Caribbean parties with a passion for extra-parliamentary tactics, to categorically denounce the violence involving its activists and supporters, even in the face of overwhelming evidence.

CARICOM governments and opposition parties must be aware of this. They would know, should know, that for all the troubles, the horrors suffered by the Guyanese people, and those of Indian-descent in particular, the PNC is yet to make a clear denunciation of the physical violence, the robberies and destruction that have flowed directly from its anti-government politics, starting from elections day, March 19.

It is, of course, difficult for it to do so, without finding scapegoats. Unable to date, despite a media challenge, to come up with specific details of alleged racial/political discrimination against its supporters, or of any official policy to `marginalise' them, the PNC has chosen as one of its scapegoats the Guyana Police Force.

Reason? For all the years of loyalty to that once 'paramount' party, the police are today seemingly going about their duties, as they should always do, without fear, or favour to the PNC. This is one of the more positive developments in post-elections 2001.

Little wonder, therefore, that Hoyte's PNC has been clamouring for an enquiry into alleged police brutality and blaming the police for provoking the eruption of violence. Suddenly, the police have become objects of abuse and physical attacks from PNC supporters.

The Guilt

This is the same party, as the Stabroek News felt necessary to editorialise, that is yet to purge "the guilt it bears for the years of repression while it was in office and the painful history of rigged elections..."

Since it cannot do so, it is understandable why it lacks the capacity and moral authority to directly denounce the racial violence and robberies, the fear and intimidation that cannot be objectively separated from its post-elections politics of 2001.

That is why, while its leader is meeting, on a regular basis, with the President and hopes were rising for a return to normalcy in troubled communities, the PNC could still go ahead with a court challenge, by way of an election petition, on the conduct of the March 19 poll that it well knows the PPP won decisively and fairly.

Also, that is why, when the police, finally - after the long inaction by the Director of Public Prosecutions - decided to let the law takes its course against controversial television talk show hosts, identified with the PNC, there swiftly came the threat to engage in any action necessary to protect "its own".

So much for dialogue and goodwill. So much for all those so-called "bipartisan" committees, loaded with representatives of the PPP and PNC, but with scant consideration of representation from civil society and the smaller parties. Let's hope that expediency does not triumph over justice.

What 'goodwill' is the PNC really demonstrating when it continues to manifest a passion for disorder and conflict instead of allowing time for the dialogue to be productive and for the creation of a political environment that will generate confidence by local and foreign investors and permit Guyanese, irrespective of ethnicity or party affiliation, to get on with their normal life.

It is an awareness of the fragility of the peace and of the tension that lingers in so many communities, especially along the East Coast of Demerara, that perhaps led the columnist Allan Fenty, to write last Friday that "racial insecurities and animosities are here to stay".

Overwhelmed as he clearly was by the scenes and moods of people witnessed, I hope that Fenty's despair does not become prophecy.

To prevent this, there would have to be less of a knee-jerk reaction to the callous threats from the PNC as it seeks to hold this country to ransom for its own failures in government for 28 years and the defeats suffered at free elections since 1992.

The PNC should not be left to make a mockery of law and order and believe it has a right to plunge this nation into racial/political violence whenever it feels necessary to do so, then expediently shift gear to 'dialogue' and engage in political platitudes, assured of the ready assistance of its well-placed activists in the media and legal profession.