I am referring to Amar Panday’s letter in the Stabroek News of May 24, 2011, “Repugnant behaviour by BCGI manager”, in which he condemned the actions of Ruslan Volokhov, General Manager of UC Rusal/ Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI). I strongly agree with Panday; these actions were indeed repugnant. However, in expressing the AFC’s non-tolerance of this act, Panday should be more concerned about portraying the AFC’s strong viewpoint on the matter, instead of trying to take a swipe at the government.
Rusal is a foreign company, hence any stance against them must be taken in unity. The AFC must be able to properly strategize, and clearly understand the need for national unity in overcoming obstacles, especially when a foreign company is involved, and the eyes of the international community are fixed on the situation. If the AFC genuinely cares about these workers, that party would not exploit this situation for political mileage. Instead, it would ‘bury its tail’¸ in the interests of these bauxite workers. Taking a swipe at the PPP dilutes their message and makes Guyana look weak. In matters of foreign relations, i.e., a foreign company in Guyana, it seemingly might be a good idea to project a national front.
Panday’s stance against Rusal is a matter of his own conviction. But his ulterior motive blinds him from realizing that attacking the PPP is poor strategizing on the part of the AFC, as it gives a message of a divided Guyana.