I HAVE seen Mr. Ralph Ramkarran’s article in the “Stabroek News”. He has once again returned to his favourite theme of compromise. This man seems to have nothing that he is willing to stand up for; there seems to be no issue that he feels should not have a compromise. He, like the two Opposition parties in the National Assembly, appears to be taking the position that an issue with such grave national implications should be used to extract as much unreasonable concessions from the government, such as signing unconstitutional Bills.
This issue is not one for “horse-trading”, as Mr. Ramkarran and the Opposition are proposing. It is by far too important. Did Cheddi Jagan ask for anything to support the nationalization of bauxite? No. Is it not true that even though the PNC regime rigged the election of 1973, the PPP, seeing the dangers to national sovereignty, came out with critical support, knowing fully well that it would not be a popular decision?
This issue, in my view, is as important as any in post-independence Guyana. Why should any party ask for a compromise? This is not a Bill that the PPP wrote up; it has come out of an international process. Because of the international nature and implications, there are severe penalties if the Bill is not passed. If it is not passed, Guyana would be seen as a country that defends drug traffickers, money launderers and gun smugglers. In fact, opposition to the Bill could very well be seen as the Opposition members in the National Assembly defending the illegal activities.
Mr. Ramkarran, instead of his usual wishy-washy compromise call, should show us that he stands for the national interest and demand that the Opposition pass the Bill that CFATF and FATF have pronounced as being compliant. For once, Mr. Ramkarran show some backbone.

Rebecca Constance