The way ahead
INCOMING President Bharrat Jagdeo should not allow himself to be detracted from the many pressing challenges ahead for the Government and the country by the continuing confrontational politics of some of the administration's political opponents. The major focus of the anti-government street demonstrations in Georgetown since last year by the People's National Congress (PNC) was President Janet Jagan. She resisted their enmity, all the while reaching out to her bitter opponents and keeping the door open for dialogue in spite of persistent obstacles - in the interest of maintaining peace. Announcing her decision Sunday to step down because of health reasons, President Jagan noted that this approach had led to some misconceptions and in a way, offered timely advice to Mr. Jagdeo. "My government, and myself, have been criticised for being too `soft' and `weak' as regards dealing with those who want to destroy our gains as a nation", she reflected in her radio and television address Sunday. Her outlook bears repeating as she steps down today: "Our attitude has been one of patience and we realised that the state and government, not the opposition or destructive elements, have the responsibility to see to it that the society does not descend into anarchy. "We needed to have great political wisdom and prevent racial conflagration by finding new ways to solve the problems of a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society." Mr. Jagdeo, in spite of the implied threats yet again from the main opposition camp, must take heart from Mrs. Jagan's optimism, made steadfast from more than 50 years in the political life of this country. "A glaring feature of our society, especially since the 1997 general elections, is that we have not enjoyed the political peace so necessary for advancement and change. "But as an optimist, I know that these will come in time. I am encouraged by history, the past and present, here at home and in the world at large." Mr. Jagdeo should look, too, at the sentiments from leaders in the region, characterised in a letter to President Jagan from Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony of St. Lucia. Dr. Anthony was assigned `oversight responsibility' for Guyana by Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders at their summit in Trinidad and Tobago last month, and told Mrs. Jagan: "Once more, you have demonstrated a level of political leadership and statesmanship that can only make our region proud, bearing in mind the rarity of such unselfish decisions at the highest levels in our Caribbean lands." What a difference in reaction between the leaders in the region and some here. Mr. Jagdeo, at 35, has big shoes to fill for the way ahead but he can show himself equal to the task by looking to the towering examples before him and not paying too much mind to others still set in their narrow ways. Despite the fuming, he should not stop the reaching out.
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