THE Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) wishes to respond to Mr. Kissoon (Kaieteur News February 24, 2011). For public information we need to clarify a few points raised by Kissoon and state our position.
1- For the record, the ERC has five active, sitting Commissioners. This is the truth. Stop the propaganda Mr. Kissoon.
2- The ERC wishes to restate its position – the Commission never undertook a study to determine how the people of Guyana perceive the ERC. This is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Kissoon needs to stop deceiving Guyanese by distorting the facts. Does he believe that a lie repeated often enough becomes the truth?
3- The ERC will not respond to hearsay. We cannot speak for anyone else and as such any allegations of statements made by Mr. Trevor Benn should be addressed by Mr. Benn. For the wider public’s interest we urge Mr. Benn to clear the air. But will this change anything for Mr. Kissoon? He has an agenda.
4- Mr. Lawrence Lachmansingh was contracted by the ERC on a short-term consultancy to undertake an assessment of the performance and impact of the ERC with the strategic objective of developing new plans that would cover the period 2010 – 2015 and which would see the Commission strengthening its capacity and addressing priority issues facing the nation as it pertains to issues of ethnic relations. Anything out of this consultancy was intended to show the ERC the way forward. Because of Mr. Kissoon’s constant attacks on the ERC, we see his interest in our future plans as highly suspect. Could he be planning to sabotage those plans? Should we be afraid that he will attempt to derail our activities even as they are in the planning stage? It is clear from his own articles that his efforts to get the ERC’s internal documents is in his main interest and he is frustrated at his lack of success.
5- We repeat – the GTUC does not sit on the Commission. It is represented through the Commissioner elected by the labour movement and is one of 19 entities from the labour body which were consulted to name nominees. Information for this constituency can be gathered from its elected representative. If Kissoon is indeed a member of this constituency he would know this.
It is obvious that Kissoon has upped his efforts to create chaos and confusion as Guyana gets ready for the 2011 Elections through half-truths, misinformation and outright, blatant lies. His best efforts will be in vain.
The general public should let Kissoon know how they feel about his manipulation of facts. The masses who have engaged with the ERC during its work across the length and breadth of Guyana should let Kissoon know of this.
Guyana has made significant progress over the years in developing ethnic harmony. As a country we have moved away from violent elections. We will not allow Kissoon to reverse the strides we have made as a people.
The ERC and other peace-loving Guyanese will not permit Kissoon the opportunity to soil the national environment as this country prepares for elections. This is obviously his aim – to perpetuate hate and an environment of ethnic animosity. The successes of the ERC in the run-up to the 2006 elections is of concern to Kissoon. He fears the same will happen in 2011 and an environment of peace will be created. It seems that Kissoon abhors peace and stability. Could it be that he fears he will have nothing to write about if peace should prevail?
Kissoon’s constant attacks on the ERC are designed to derail the work of the Commission in promoting ethnic harmony and good relations in this country. If he is so against the ERC, then he should be the one working to promote peace and ethnic harmony. Every day he occupies space in the Kaieteur Newspaper, which he can better use to promote a unified Guyana instead of always attacking the ERC. We challenge Kissoon to show what he has done to promote peace and ethnic harmony! Let him write about that.
The ERC is committed to ensuring the public receives accurate information and at all times have access to the truth. We will not necessarily respond to Kissoon’s political commentaries. We await his columns on his efforts to promote ethnic harmony and security but the public knows he has no positive track record in this area.
The last occasion when the Commission responded, we called on Kissoon to make known his true intentions. Thanks for responding Mr. Kissoon. The country now knows your true intentions.
