South African government supported for deferring award to Burnham

PERMIT me to refer to the Stabroek News article under the caption, “No ‘justifiable’ reason for withdrawal of South Africa award to Burnham” in its issue of Saturday May 4, 2012. I wish to state the following:
1. I fully support the South African government for deferring indefinitely the conferral of the order of the Champion of O.R. Tambo on the late Forbes Burnham. Also I welcome the timely intervention of Professor Horace Campbell of Syracuse University in New York to have this conferral deferred. Let not the name of Oliver Tambo be defiled in  South Africa.
2. In Guyana, it is generally alleged that Forbes Burnham, then Executive President of Guyana, was the master-mind behind Walter Rodney’s brutal assassination and where it is alleged that Gregory Smith (deceased) and then a Non-Commission Officer of the Guyana Defence Force carried out the brutal crime.
3. Walter Rodney was an outspoken critic against South Africa’s apartheid system and in his homeland, Guyana. He fought fearlessly and courageously against the Burnham fascist illegal regime known as the People’s National Congress (PNC). Rodney vigorously championed the cause for racial unity which saw the coming together of Guyana’s six racial groups when he was unfortunately killed in a bomb explosion.
4. David Granger, now the PNC/R Leader said that “the PNC has done everything legally possible, everything humanely possible to refute the allegations made against members of our party as to the involvement in (the murder). We certainly don’t accept it and we have always held out that we are willing to have any inquiry and give evidence at any forum.” The Guyanese people will certainly like the re-opening of an international inquiry into Walter Rodney’s death which must include the FBI. If an international inquiry is not possible at this time, it further justifies the decision by the South African Government not to confer the Oliver Tambo award on the late Forbes Burnham.
5. Can Granger say, where can the Guyanese people get a copy of the book written by Gregory Smith named ‘The Assassination Cry of A Failed State’ to purchase? This book seems to be a mystery in Guyana and it is interesting to know who wrote this ‘book’ for Smith, since it is not known he had such ability, but more so in bomb making. What is even more interesting is that after the completion of the book Smith died. How did Smith die and can his remains be exhumed to show cause of his death for any international inquiry?
6. Forbes Burnham and GDF Sergeant Gregory Smith are no longer alive. David Granger, being a vital part of the GDF high-command then can however and possibly assist with the investigations of a re-opened international inquiry into the assassination of Walter Rodney.

 

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