HYDAR Ally, who is active in local politics, last Wednesday evening launched his book: “Pragmatism or Opportunism? Guyana’s Foreign Policy Behaviour (1964-1985),” which saw presentations from a number of distinguished Guyanese alongside His Excellency Donald Ramotar. Among the attendees was the Russian Ambassador to Guyana His Excellency, Nikolay D. Smirnov, alongside a number of Government officials that praised Ally for his academic, yet profound and noble work. The ceremony that was held at the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre, saw spectacular praises and deliveries from various ministers who delivered insightful remarks.
Former Minister of Local Government Mr. Harripersaud Nokta; Minister of Labour Dr. Nanda Gopaul; Minister of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsarran alongside Minister of Home Affairs and General Secretary of the PPP Clement Rohee, all called for Ally to produce another collective history of Guyana’s foreign policy behaviour from 1985 to present.
Former Minister of Local Government, Nokta, underscored that Ally in his writing has given “much food for thought” and his perspective in the book provides insights to his own experiences as someone who has come from a working- class background. Additionally, he further bemoaned that under the People’s National Congress (PNC) dictatorship, Ally and his family had struggled and as such, joined Dr. Cheddi Jagan in the fight for democracy in Guyana.
Moreover, Minister Gopaul elaborated on the importance of Guyana’s foreign policy knowledge. “This piece of work can be considered truly academic,” stated Minister Gopaul. He further added that pragmatism or opportunism have been written and captured in Ally’s book with a vivid view to give readers an understanding of our foreign policy during a very sad period in Guyana’s history.
The minister emphasised that Ally should therefore cover Guyana’s foreign policy from 1985 to the present, when not only remarkable economic progress will be displayed, but also foreign policy based on principles adopted by the People’s Progressive Party administration.
“The cover of the book exemplifies of a Hydar’s thinking,” stated Minister Rohee in his remarks. He then lamented on Ally’s strive to always seek to strike an equilibrium or balance in his analysis of social political and economic development. He added that the book covers a complex time in our history and is quite reader friendly. Sharing similar sentiments with Minister Gopaul, Minister (Rohee) exemplified on Ally’s quest for covering Guyana’s foreign policy behaviour from 1985 to present.
On the contrary, President Ramotar took the initiative to trace Guyana’s foreign policy during Dr. Cheddi Jagan’s rule and his noble theories that are being sought today. Meanwhile, Ally captured four phases in his book from the period 1966 to 1971, 1966-1976, 1976-1980 and lastly the series of events after 1980, particularly the economic woes of the country thereafter; he supported his arguments with several studies and research accumulated by other researchers and academics.
Hydar Ally is a regular columnist for the Mirror newspaper and has written numerous articles on a variety of subjects, some of which have been accumulated in a publication titled: “Insightful Views on Guyana” with a written preamble by former President of Guyana, Mrs. Janet Jagan. He is a trained school teacher and has taught at the Cummings Lodge Secondary School and also did part-time lecturing at the University of Guyana and the Cyril Potter College of Education. He is the holder of a Masters Degree in Political Science and a Graduate Diploma in Development Studies from the University of Guyana.
Photos found in graphics folder (Red House)
0253Left: Hydar Ally stands alongside His Excellency Donald Ramotar; Minister of Home Affairs and General Secretary of the PPP Clement Rohee; Former Minister of Local Government Harripersaud Nokta; and Minister of Labour Nanda Gopaul at the launch of “Pragmatism or Opportunism? Guyana’s Foreign Policy Behaviour (1964-1985)” at the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre on Wednesday evening*
0190-Hydar Ally’s recently launched book

(By Shivanie Sugrim)