Army denies disobeying legitimate orders issued by civilian authorities
-says it is committed to upholding constitution
Stabroek News
April 27, 2003
The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has dismissed any suggestion of non-compliance with legitimate orders issued by the civilian policy makers, and has said that the unrestrained use of deadly force in matters pertaining to internal security is against both national and international laws.
The army also stated, through a release from its Public Relations and Education Department yesterday, that it is the Guyana Police Force, and not the GDF, which is the primary law enforcement agency in the country and which is responsible for the maintenance of law and order.
Since the upsurge in crime last year, many residents on the lower East Coast Demerara have been critical of the army's role. They claimed that the soldiers stationed in the crime-infested Buxton and neighbouring villages are not doing enough to contain crime.
But the GDF said its deployment on the lower East Coast Demerara, to support the police, was reflective of compliance with the express orders of the National Defence Board. The army said those orders conformed to its constitutional role in the maintenance of order in the country.
"Further, we reject rumours and conjecture that the policy positions and directives of the Commander-in-Chief are inhibitive and unclear," the release stated.
Over last weekend, Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, President Bharrat Jagdeo again stated that he was not satisfied with the work of the security forces and that they needed to rethink their strategies.
According to Jagdeo, he made it clear to the law enforcement agencies that he wanted them "to clean out the situation in Buxton." That statement triggered reactions from the public at large, especially about the role of the GDF. And as a major stakeholder in national security affairs, the army said it has an obligation to comment on the exchanges in the media on the crime situation.
"While we feel that a public review of Joint Services operation would serve no useful purpose, it is necessary to assure Guyanese citizens of our commitment to upholding the constitution of Guyana. The GDF has had a proud history of support for the democratic principle of military subordination to civilian authority; perhaps more than any other country on this continent. We therefore dismiss any suggestion of disobedience or non-compliance with proper and legitimate orders issued by the Civilian Policy Makers," the release stated.
The army pointed out that in supporting the police in crime fighting, the strict management of deadly force remains a pre-eminent factor, given the combat power available to the military.
"The doctrine of 'Minimum Force' is cardinal for the army, lest it stand accused of a ham-fisted or brutal approach. It is apposite to remind, that the Guyana Police Force, in accordance with Chapter 16:01 of the Laws of Guyana, is responsible for the maintenance of law and order and is the primary law enforcement agency. The Guyana Defence Force, while focusing on its primary role of territorial defence, remains committed to providing support to the police, consistent with the laws of the land."
