I wish to refer to a letter under the caption, “How was Toshao Xavier chosen to serve on the UN forum” in Stabroek News issue of January 3, 2011 and written by M. Maxwell.
Kindly permit me to state the following:
(1) Toshao Bertie Xavier nomination to serve on the UN Permanent forum on Indigenous issues was made by the Government of Guyana since that act of nomination was within its own jurisdiction. The identification and nomination of Toshao Bertie Xavier to serve on the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous issues were therefore acts of good wisdom and choice by the Government of Guyana. What is even more important to mention is that Toshao Xavier had to undergo an election process to serve on the UN Permanent forum on Indigenous issues where he defeated his Bolivian opponent.
(2) The nomination of Toshao Xaiver to the UN Permanent forum on Indigenous issues by the Government of Guyana is indeed special and historic for Guyana since for the very first time a Toshao or Village Chief of a remote hinterland Amerindian village was nominated to serve at the level of the United Nations world body. In this regard M. Maxwell stated that I should “stop making mountains out of molehills” in his letter which in my opinion is a clear demonstration of utter disrespect by him for Guyana’s indigenous peoples.
(3) The ongoing positive interventions by the government to empower the Amerindian communities of Guyana both socially and economically must not be viewed as “political desperation for the Amerindian vote to cloud our judgement” according to M. Maxwell in his letter, but should be seen as strong efforts to lift the Amerindian sector out of its 77 per cent poverty line which the indigenous peoples of Guyana fully acknowledge.
(4) M.  Maxwell said in his letter, “Peter Persaud seems to be the government propaganda man on Amerindian affairs.” Please be informed M. Maxwell that when I write on Amerindian issues I provide factual information for public consumption and what is deemed to be accurate and acceptable to the indigenous peoples of Guyana which has nothing to do with political desperation for the Amerindian vote.