WHEN the return to democracy in Guyana looked extremely bleak and hopeless, there was finally light at the end of the tunnel in October 1992 and Dr Cheddi Jagan’s optimism and determination were vindicated. And on this note many have forgotten that he worked tirelessly on both the local and international fronts in the long and epic struggle to have the return of democracy.It is because of his persistent efforts at the international level that we were able to have the intervention of the influential and internationally respected Carter Centre, founded and headed by former US President Jimmy Carter, which played a pivotal role in our country having a free and fair election on October 5, 1992, which paved the way for the return of democracy here and Dr Jagan becoming Head of State which was painfully denied for nearly three decades because of rigged elections and dictatorial rule.
But what many do not realise is that the Carter Centre came as a result of persistent lobbying by Dr Jagan via the Paul Reichler law firm of a major US Congressman, including the late Edward Kennedy.
One of the major accomplishments by the Carter Centre was ensuring that there was counting of the ballots at the place of poll, which was a key element in ensuring the integrity of the balloting process, which was vehemently opposed by the then President Hoyte who described it as “logistical nightmare.”
But while President Carter understandably so, was in the limelight most of the time with respect to the work of the Carter Centre, there was a “turbine” working steadfastly and selflessly behind the scenes in his quiet, reserved and efficient manner to ensure his organisation achieved its goals and objectives. That “turbine” was Dr Robert Pastor-a true champion of democracy and democratic values.
He was an extraordinary man combining a career of scholarship, teaching, and public policy in government and in non-governmental organisations. He was National Security Advisor for Latin America (1977-81) and has been a consultant to the Departments of State and Defense. Before coming to America, Dr. Pastor was Goodrich C. White Professor of Political Science at Emory University, and from 1985-98, he was a Fellow and Founding Director of the Carter Center’s Latin American and Caribbean Programme and the Democracy and China Election Projects. At The Carter Center, he founded and served as the Executive Secretary of the Council of Freely-Elected Heads of Government, a group of 32 leaders of the Americas, chaired by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. This Council had mediated elections in more than 30 countries around the world.
Following the historic October 5, 1992 election, Dr Pastor remained here for some time to ensure the consolidation of democracy and during this time, worked extremely hard and dedicatedly.
He will certainly remain in the annals of our history as one who made a significant and pivotal contribution to the return of democracy.
But he did not only help the democratic cause: he also worked assiduously towards improving relations between the US and Latin America which has been acknowledged by former US president Bill Clinton: “As my adviser for Latin American affairs on the National Security Council in the White House, he helped to reshape our country’s relations with our Latin American neighbours and secure democracy and human rights throughout the Region. After he left the White House, he continued this work at The Carter Center, leading for more than a decade critical peace and election observation missions and advancing the idea of a united North American community. Because of his vision, boundless energy, and political skill, the Western Hemisphere is more democratic and developed today. We extend our condolences to his family.”