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SULTAN MOHAMED REPLIES TO OGUNSEYE TOUTING FEDERALISM Sep 07, 2024 Letters Dear Editor, If one were to follow Mr. Tacuma Ogunseye’s ramblings in his letter of 30th August 2024 in the KN titled “Ogunseye replies to Sultan Mohamed” one would certainly become more confused. Let’s start from the bottom of his letter. (1) Mr. Ogunseye retorts that my assertion that Dr. Rodney was with agreement with Dr. Jagan to merge the WPA with the PPP is a fabrication. How would he know otherwise? Dr. Rodney must have been aware that the WPA was infiltrated by the PNC state apparatus.  He trusted few in the WPA. In fact, he did not even trust Mr. Kwayana as the latter was against the use of violence while Dr. Rodney was so inclined. Mr. Ogunseye provides no evidence for his rebuttal. Yet I am on record that it was Mr. Hubert Rodney, younger brother of Dr. Rodney who enlightened me about the merger agreement! See https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2021/06/13/rodney-would-have-merged-wpa-into-the-ppp-in-the-long-term/ (2) Mr. Ogunseye wrote he was in the audience at Queen’s College when Trinidad born US Black Power advocate Mr. Stokely Carmichael defined Black Power as being for black people separately – to the objections of Indian students who heckled him and walked out of the meeting. It is true that Mr. Carmichael did say that Indians too should go and organize themselves separately.  I too was at Queen’s College as was the ROAR’s Mr. Ravi Dev and the DLM’s Mr. Paul Tennassee. So what is Dr. Roopnarine, Mr. Moses Bhagwan and Mr. Rohit Kanhai doing in the WPA when they have absolutely no grounding whatsoever among the Indian community?    Shouldn’t they be separately organizing Indians for political power just as Mr. Kwayana has been a historical and unapologetic champion of exclusive African people’s rights? Mr. Ogunseye positively fails to acknowledge by omission that Dr. Rodney defined Black Power to include Indians!  None can deny that the charismatic Dr. Rodney had immense multi-racial appeal especially among Indians. (3) Mr. Ogunseye is still on record as championing armed means to achieve political power in Guyana. In fact, he as well as Dr. Rodney and Dr. Roopnarine were on the WPA committee to amass weapons to overthrow the PNC government. Double agent Mr. Robert Allan Gates driver and bodyguard of Dr. Roopnarine confirmed to the Rodney Commission of Inquiry (RCOI) that he witnessed the collection of arms by the WPA leader!   In any violent means to achieve political power, Indians would be at a disadvantage as Mr. Burnham seized all Indian guns in the 1960s. Mr. Ogunsye’s contradiction is that unlike him, Mr. Kwayana was against the use of armed means of removing the PNC government. As the preeminent Afrocentric leader Mr. Kwayana could not fathom the thought of Africans shooting Africans in the unbalanced Africanized armed forces of Guyana. Why is Mr. Ogunseye, as a seasoned and proclaimed WPA co leader again, so openly and consistently championing the use of violence in a fragile multi-racial society like Guyana? See WPA’s Ogunseye fails to reject violence by his own words, Ogunseye’s position on violence is unchanged.  In fact, why is the PNC so desperately courting the WPA to be in a coalition considering the latter’s proclivity for violence? (4)  Mr. Ogunseye admits that “Mr. Kwayana called for ‘partition’, – end of story.” Far from the end of this long divisive story by the merchant of partition – Mr. Kwayana is its truth. What Mr. Ogunseye should acknowledge is that the race problem is not solvable by violence. The choices are clear; we can continue to embrace merchant Mr. Kwayana’s partition advocacy or go with Mr. Ravi Dev’s alternatively suggested Federalism. Both Africans and Indians would be free to manage themselves under Federalism without the humbuggery of the other. What do you say about Federalism Mr. Ogunseye? Respectfully, Sultan Mohamed Related Similar Articles

CARICOM should condemn attempts to stifle democratic aspirations of the Venezuelan people Sep 07, 2024 Letters Dear Editor, I am a democrat. I abhor dictatorship. This is why I strongly condemn attempts to stifle the democratic aspirations of the Venezuelan people by the Maduro regime. It is saddening to know that with the exception of Guyana and Suriname, no other CARICOM country signed a joint multi-country statement sponsored by the United States in condemnation of the Maduro regime for attempting to rig the recent national elections. Unlike most of the CARICOM countries, Guyana and Suriname are the only two CARICOM countries that experienced dictatorial rule in the past. It is not only understandable but also commendable that they both took a principled position on the issue of dictatorial rule. I am disappointed by the apparent ambiguity displayed by the other CARICOM countries on the issue. The region, and for that matter the vast majority of countries in hemisphere now embrace democracy and democratic rule. Any departure from that trend is an aberration to democratic norms. This conspiracy of silence, for whatever reason or reasons, is counterproductive and inimical to the image of the region as a bastion of democracy. Hydar Ally Related Similar Articles

Exxon’s production vessels have meters and they meet or exceed international industry standards Sep 07, 2024 Letters Dear Editor, It’s unfortunate this publication continues to spread misinformation about ExxonMobil Guyana’s operations. Its readers deserve better. Contrary to assertions repeatedly made by the paper this week, Government representatives are present to witness every offshore oil lift – both their own, and those of the Stabroek block consortium. Simply put, none of the consortium members can lift oil without a government witness present. The Government has described how it exercises its rights and duties to closely monitor our operations. The Government’s oil lifts also aren’t a mystery – they are available for anyone to read on the Ministry of Natural Resources’ website. Furthermore, despite repeated claims to the contrary, our offshore production vessels have meters, and those meters meet or exceed international industry standards. That data is also monitored by the Government. Those looking for factual information about Guyana’s oil-and-gas industry would be better served seeking out news outlets that are committed to factual and unbiased reporting. Sincerely, Alistair Routledge President, ExxonMobil Guyana Related Similar Articles

The launch of the National Defence Institute deserves commendation Sep 07, 2024 Letters Dear Editor, The announcement by young President Ali at the launch of the National Defence Institute (NDI) deserves commendation and congratulations. However, the few of us who have been around long enough, may regard this, commendable as it is, no more than forms of Plagiarism, Propaganda and Pomposity. Almost fifty years ago, a confidential state paper was prepared, titled ‘Defence in Depth.’ In addition to the announcement by President Ali, the document addressed the basic outline of the proposals contained in his announcement.  Additionally, it included providing the physical infrastructure and logistical support for cadres from National Service, security forces and educational institutions to provide them the opportunity to settle on tracks of land in areas along our borders. The underlying philosophy was that if you are a Guyanese, trained in military, agricultural, mining and other skills, this will be the best means to secure our borders from the ambition of our neighbours. It was an elaborate, well-thought-out project, but due to the oil crisis and other factors, we did not have the enormous sums of money to activate Defence in Depth. It is no secret that we have a government that will do nothing that appears and could be regarded as the brainchild of Burnham. Defence in depth assumed free education from Kindergarten to University. With gold and other precious materials being found in many areas and the government having access to an abundance of cash, it will be a gift to this and succeeding generations, if Defence in Depth was activated in totality. We now have the money; we are now discovering natural resources in large quantities; some being harvested by foreigners. Defence in Depth would have ensured that more Guyanese benefit from the Creators’ bounty. Nevertheless, we all wish the project success. Hamilton Green Elder Related Similar Articles

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