Basil Williams only using Rodney COI
–to advance his ‘narrow personal’ interests

WPA (Working People’s Alliance) executive member, Tacuma Ogunseye, yesterday flayed Chairman of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Basil Williams, for using his role as the Party’s legal representative at the ongoing Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to advance his “narrow personal” interests.

‘To my mind, he is motivated by his narrow personal interest; for him, the Commission is a forum to be used to enhance his claim to the top leadership post of the PNCR, and a presidential run in the future…Mr. Williams’s effectiveness in the WRCI is affected by the fact that he is using the inquiry to achieve his personal political ambition to become PNCR leader’ — Tacuma Ogunseye

In a letter seen by the Guyana Chronicle, Ogunseye details Williams’ disposition during his cross-examination, which he describes as counterproductive.

He said, “To my mind, he is motivated by his narrow personal interest; for him, the Commission is a forum to be used to enhance his claim to the top leadership post of the PNCR, and a presidential run in the future.
“Mr. Williams’s effectiveness in the WRCI is affected by the fact that he is using the inquiry to achieve his personal political ambition to become PNCR leader. In the process, he has become a victim of his own doing.”
According to Ogunseye, once the PNCR decided to have legal representations on the Commission, objectively, the Party’s conduct was opened up for scrutiny both nationally and internationally.

MISSED OPPORTUNITY
He highlighted that whatever that party’s lawyers do at the CoI is important.
Ogunseye said, “How they choose to defend the party, Burnham, and the Burnham-controlled state demonstrate the party’s thinking, not only in the past but also the present and the future. While Mr. Williams’s tactics may be good for the ears of the party faithful, it drives fear and creates resentment in other sections of the nation.”
According to him, Williams’ disposition has resulted in a missed opportunity for the PNCR.
“They have locked themselves in the plot of the intellectual authors of Rodney assassination, with no room to deal objectively with evidence that is coming out of the commission’s work,” Ogunseye said.
He contends too that defending the PNCR and former President and leader of the PNCR, Linden Burnham seems to be “secondary considerations” for Williams.
“Defending the PNCR and Burnham are secondary considerations for him. He has great difficulty separating his personal interest from that of the party; every opportunity is used by him to play to the national and international audience listening and viewing the WRCI. He used tactics that are morally, politically and professionally, counterproductive to the PNCR interest,” the WPA Executive said.

APNU SUPPORTERS CONCERNED
Ogunseye’s letter followed, according to him, concerns from supporters of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), of which PNCR is the major stakeholder, over the “adversarial and un-comradely” exchanges between himself and Williams while he was on the stand at the Walter Rodney CoI.
The WPA Executive said, “Most days before I took the stand, Williams and I and/or some of his comrades cordially exchanged views on some aspect of the day’s proceedings. Let me emphasise that these brief exchanges were at all times friendly.
“I often told them that the WPA would not be claiming innocence. I made it very clear to them that WPA will tell things as they were. It is important to remind readers that Mr. Williams had knowledge of my written statement and oral evidence before he began his cross examination.
“Hence, he had ample time to decide his approach to his examination. I believe that a good political lawyer would have recognised that my appearance at the commission was not that of an ordinary witness. He/she would have therefore taken into account my past and present history in the political life of the nation, and the fact that I was under oath to tell the truth at all times.
“Williams in his judgment decided to begin his cross examination of me in a hostile and politically sinister manner.”
He added that although Williams’s cross examination was adjourned for many days, during which he would have had time for reflection; there was no retreat from his assumed position.
“By proceeding on that note Williams demonstrated his political and class prejudice against thousands of Guyanese,” Ogunseye said.
He reiterated that Williams is clearly “motivated by his narrow personal” interest.
The WPA forms part of the APNU coalition.