GUYANESE are “eagerly” awaiting answers from leaders in the main Opposition camp on a number of issues, particularly as it relates to the People’s National Congress (PNC) role in the death of Dr. Walter Rodney and the missing Guyana Defence Force (GDF) weapons, among other matters.“The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has taken note of the deafening silence of APNU (A Partnership for National Unity) Leader and Presidential Candidate Brigadier (rtd) David Granger on a number of issues for which Guyanese are eagerly awaiting answers,” PPP General Secretary, Clement Rohee said.
Speaking during a news conference held at Freedom House yesterday, he added that Mr. Granger needs to “justify his reluctance” to appear before the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to explain his role in the military, during that particular period when he served as a senior officer.
“Is it that he is afraid of the many skeletons in his closet that would be exposed and therefore destroy his presidential ambitions? Or is it a case of cold dismissal of the public demands for answers regarding his and his army’s role in the assassination of Dr. Walter Rodney? And why is Granger silent on the large cache of arms and ammunition that went missing and eventually found its way in the hands of criminal elements?” Rohee questioned.
Last August, Lieutenant Colonel Sydney James, who spent three days at the CoI on the witness stand, testified and submitted documentation that the GDF loaned high-powered military weapons to the PNC’s Ministry of National Development.
The records that Lieutenant Colonel James tendered as evidence to the Commission show that the GDF loaned 200-odd weapons to the Ministry, as well as paramilitary organisations and other agencies. Of those 200-odd weapons, 155 are still missing today.
According to Rohee, Granger, as well as the General Secretary of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Joseph Harmon, should be called to testify at the CoI.
CONTINUING EFFORTS
Until the weapons are returned, the President has assured that the relevant law enforcement agencies will continue their efforts to recover them.
“We have been making a lot of efforts to get the weapons back, but maybe part of the reason we have not succeeded was what I just said, because of who was heading the army and the police at that time and where are they now,” he said.
Mr. Ramotar stated too that his administration is committed to ensuring that illegal weapons are taken off the streets and out of the hands of criminals.
He said: “Law enforcement agencies continuously will try to recoup those weapons…all the illegal weapons on the road, all the illegal weapons in the society, all the weapons in the hands of criminals, it is the responsibility of the law enforcement agencies to continue their work to try to get them back.”
The Commander-in-Chief accepted his responsibility in this regard and stressed that the recovery of illegal weapons by law enforcement agencies is a standing order.
“This is one of the important functions of the security forces, to get the weapons back. This is a standing order to get the weapons back,” he said.
TALK VERSUS ACTION
The PPP General Secretary contends that there has been much talk about transparency and accountability, as opposed to action.
“Talk about transparency, accountability and bringing an end to narco-trafficking and money laundering by the political Opposition is nothing but hot air when seen against the background of the PNC’s stubborn refusal to lend support to the anti-money laundering bill. That bill presented to Parliament was killed by the APNU/AFC coalition because of narrow partisan interests and drug barons aligned to the two Opposition parties,” he said.
Rohee charged too that Granger is “conveniently selective” on issues and “deliberately” withholding important information from his constituents.
“(This is information) which could serve to incriminate him and his Party and in the process, do further damages to his electoral ambitions. This apparent amnesia on the part of Granger and his acolytes are at best mind boggling and raises some serious questions regarding the suitability of Granger and his political entity to be entrusted with the task of administering the business of Government,” he said.
All considered, the PPP General Secretary expressed confidence that the Guyanese public will be able to “see beyond” the Opposition’s ‘talk’.
“The PPP is convinced that the Guyanese electorate will see beyond the Opposition’s veil of secrecy and silence and return the PPP/C to Government with an overwhelming majority come May 11,” Rohee concluded.

(By Vanessa Narine)