`There is no justification for criminal violence in a democratic society, just as there is no justification for political violence in a democracy' - U.S. Ambassador Ronald Godard

UNITED States Ambassador, Mr. Ronald Godard, yesterday said one reason why Guyanese are so frightened by the current crime wave in the country is that the problem is being debated in a particularly acrimonious political environment.

He said that in this environment, criminal violence, normally roundly condemned by all sectors of society, has been treated almost like "a legitimate subject for debate".

Godard, however, pointed out that there should be no room for doubt since Guyana is a democratic society that is founded on and depends for its existence on respect for the rule of law.

"There is no justification for criminal violence in a democratic society, just as there is no justification for political violence in a democracy," he said.

The U.S. Ambassador was at the time addressing a large gathering at the gala opening of the technologically advanced DIDCO multi-million-dollar poultry farm at Yarowkabra on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway.

He said the citizens of Guyana have recently had some rude shocks that may have shaken business confidence.

"The crime wave has scared a lot of people but we should keep the recent crime wave in perspective," he cautioned.

"Certainly it is a serious problem and I don't want to minimise it; I especially sympathise with the victims and their families who have suffered through these brutal attacks; but we should keep in mind that other countries regularly experience sharp increases in criminal activity, some much more dramatic than we have seen here," the envoy said.

He noted that Guyana is a small society and crimes that get headlines in Georgetown would not even appear in the newspapers in New York or Los Angeles.

"But to my mind, political stability and the crime spree of recent weeks are two very different issues (and) the surge in criminal activity will eventually pass; these things come in cycles," he said.

After the dust settles, hopefully, "we would have learned from the experience," he added.

"We can then redouble our efforts to reform the institutions of law enforcement and the judiciary and provide them needed resources that will make it more difficult for a similar outbreak to occur," the Ambassador said.

Godard also indicated that the United States is willing to assist Guyana in this fight against crime.

"Guyana's friends in the international donor community, including my own country, are prepared to help in this regard; but the sudden increase in criminal activity will happen again, we see them in the United States and we will almost inevitably see them again in Guyana," he said.

The U.S. Ambassador also called for a resumption of the dialogue between President Bharrat Jagdeo and Opposition Leader, Mr. Desmond Hoyte.

"Unfortunately, there has been a pause in the great political dialogue between the two major political forces of the country (and) were the dialogue functioning normally, and the Parliament meeting regularly, there would be a forum where public concerns about the problems in law enforcement and the justice system might be addressed," he told the gathering.

"Eventually, I am certain that the leaders of this country will find the basis for resuming the political dialogue in some form", he said.

According to him, it is clearly essential in the long-term for stimulating economic growth and bridging the intolerable racial polarisation that has since Independence made consensus politics so difficult in Guyana.

"Dialogue between the two major political forces is clearly the key to Guyana's long-term prospects for political stability and I would like to join others who have called for resumption of the political dialogue as soon as possible," Godard said.

The U.S. Ambassador said that in this highly charged current political environment, the criminal activity is being interpreted as "a racial problem".

"That can be dangerous stuff in Guyana and it needs to be addressed quickly," he urged.

As a measure to bolster public confidence, Godard urged that the different ethnic groups be given an opportunity to air these concerns and allowed to contribute ideas for possible remedies.

"For this purpose, I would like to suggest that the Leader of the Opposition and the President consider immediately convening the Ethnic Relations Commission to hold public hearings."

"As I read the constitutional amendment creating this body, it is not an organisation of the two parties but is to be composed of representatives from seven major sectors of Guyanese society; its mandate includes the authority to bring people together to discuss the issues which currently divide them, 'to promote the elimination of all forms of discrimination on the basis of ethnicity'," he pointed out.

Godard said it could be a very healthy outlet for Guyanese of African, Indian or whatever ethnic origin "to let off steam, to voice their concerns and to develop useful recommendations for the consideration of the nation's political leadership".

There has been an escalation in criminal activities in and around Georgetown and specific areas along the East Coast Demerara since the dramatic escape of five armed and dangerous criminals from the Georgetown prison on February 23 last.

The five on the run - Dale Moore, Andrew Douglas, Troy Dick, Mark Fraser and Shawn Brown - have been linked to several car hijackings and robberies since their daring daylight escape from the prison.

The gang has also engaged the Police in shootouts as an intensive manhunt spearheaded by the Police Force and the Army continues.