Dear Editor,

PLEASE permit me to share my views on the recent hot topic of the day by the People’s Progressive Party and its associates. That is: the recent decision by the APNU+AFC government to take its cabinet meetings to Camp Ayanganna — headquarters of the Guyana Defence Force.A letter was published in the Kaieteur News of Saturday, October 29th, 2016 under the caption “IAC calls for a new location for Cabinet meetings”. To my surprise, the IAC (Indian Action Committee) said they are shocked and extremely disappointed that the GoG has taken such a decision to use the GDF headquarters.

First of all, before I address the so-called IAC letter, let me ask what is this IAC really. Because the writer, who claims to be the secretary, said that they were made to understand that a large section of the Guyanese public is very concerned, therefore, here are a few questions for this group: Were any public interviews or polls done? And if so, who are the ones that were involved in carrying out such?

Which race was it done mostly with? Was it done in all the regions, or a few that were handpicked? Was the information provided earlier before the same was carried out? When was it done\carried out?

The IAC said it was disappointed at such a decision by the Government. Why are they disappointed? It seems that the IAC is upset that the GoG did not opt to use its own Conference Rooms within the various ministries. This would have allowed for them to have a ‘crease’ to the happenings at the cabinet meetings, so that the information can be leaked to their head group. The writer went on to say that the population is very concerned at the militarisation of the Government and its agencies.

Well, the IAC needs to answer the questions above, because the GoG and its agencies are not militarized, to my knowledge. Moreover, if it were so, then some of the former ministers and officials would have already been spending their vacations on a daily basis under guards at a correctional facility in Guyana.

The writer said the GoG needs to quickly change the venue on context of stability that is acceptable to all the people of Guyana. The IAC must answer if there is instability amongst the people of Guyana. If yes, since when? Or are this IAC and its allies trying to create instability in Guyana?

If the answers to the questions above cannot be given by this so-called IAC, then they need to stop fabricating stories to gain attention. The so-called IAC needs to do what is within its mandate, and stop fuelling problems and fear among the Guyanese people.

The GDF belongs to Guyana. IAC needs to understand that there are people of all races, religions, sex and status in the GDF. So for them (IAC) to join with the PPP to discriminate against the GDF is very bad, especially for the people they are representing.

We all know that the Arthur Chung International Conference Centre would have been ideal, but it’s under repair. The PPP came out and condemned the move by the Government to change the venue and mostly to use the GDF headquarters. Why? Let me answer:

We all know that if cabinet were to use any of the ministry boardrooms, it would not have been secure and confidential. In every ministry, the PPP has its contacts that pass information on a daily basis. That is why the PPP is so upset about using the GDF headquarters.

The way the PPP and its associates are behaving, it’s like the GDF is a foreign agency and the GoG should not have used their space. We shouldn’t be surprised at the statements coming from the PPP, because over the years they were dictators against peace, and they were corrupt. The PPP corrupted every Government agency in Guyana. That is why Clement Rohee and his cabal formed the Community Policing Groups (CPGs) and Neighbourhood Policing, because the CPGs were empowered to stamp out opposition members from the villages, and the Neighbourhood police (who are based at the police stations) will take back information to the PPP officials.

Under the PPP, the police were taking instructions as to who must be charged and who cannot be charged. We all know of the story of former Assistant Commissioner Mr. Paul Slowe. We know of the story of the current Commissioner of Police (ag), Mr. David Ramnarine, with the PPP. I can go on, but that’s a little teaser for all to wonder.

What has the PPP done for the armed forces? What has the PPP done to those bright minds in the armed forces?
Regards,
ABEL SEETARAM
APNU+AFC Regional Councillor
Region 5