Government should pull the plug on the operations of the military, which could be replaced by a privatised Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

This is according to medical practitioner, Dr Walter Ramsahoye, who told the tribunal enquiring into the disciplined services that the military has proven ineffective in the defence of the country’s territorial integrity.

Addressing members of the Disciplinary Forces Commission of Enquiry (DFC) on Monday, when the Commission’s public hearings continued at the Supreme Court Law Library, Dr Ramsahoye contended that government funds have been misspent on the military.

In support of his argument he cited what he termed the “CGX fiasco” where Surinamese gunboats evicted the CGX oil rig which was on an oil exploration mission in what Suriname has maintained is its territory.

“One might well ask what does it profit a country to gain an army which capitulates against a minuscule neighbour and cannot defend its territorial integrity?” Dr. Ramsahoye stated in his submission to the Commission.

Moreover, he contended that there has been no public trust in the army since the days of misrule when the military participated in seizing ballot boxes and stuffing them to secure electoral victories.

He said the public harboured a mistrust of the military which they still consider a symbol of repression.

The alternative, he considered, would be similar to that employed in Switzerland, which uses a private defence force to maintain its territorial integrity.

While of the current GDF, he said:

“I would say disband it and seek a more effective alternative. They are what we call in the medical profession, terminal, and we should pull the plug.”

DFC Commissioner David Granger asked Ramsahoye if there were any occasion in which the GDF has defended Guyana’s territorial integrity, noting the army’s success in the melee over the disputed New River Triangle and the Rupununi Uprising.

Ramsahoye however considered that in the latter instance, if there were human rights investigations, many persons who participated in quelling the uprising would be subject to criminal charges in the World Court.

“In what way do you recommend we defend the country? Any specific proposals?”

Ramsahoye noted that in the case of Switzerland, the country is surrounded by many other nations, but still maintains a reserve force that can be drafted at any time, should need arise.

Granger however asked him to consider whether Switzerland was the subject of any territorial disputes or whether it had any existing agreements with neighbouring nations to maintain its territorial integrity. However Ramsahoye said he was unaware of these factors.