Dear Editor,
THOSE of us who have a scientific mind-set and subscribe to the theory of the “Negation of the Negation,” as well as the concept of compromise and alliances will have no problem with the lease of “RED HOUSE” on its expansion to accommodate the history of former Presidents which will also include the president.The “Social Media” will not solve this present contention of ownership and use of this historic site and the attempt to build a “political platform” on this matter should not be propagated. Both the Government and leaders of the PPP should meet to arrive at a consensus that will guarantee the longevity of this National Museum of Presidents History.
History has taught us that Coghlan House, Belfield House, Castellani House and much more have changed ownership and even disappeared. Since Jaganism and Burnhamism are placed on the cross, then the concept of a new dispensation of collective history will guarantee the existence, respect and promotion of such historical edifice. I had first recognised both the late Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham in 1952, at Coffee Grove on the Essequibo Coast, when they attempted to conduct a public meeting and they were unceremoniously ejected from the Manager’s Reserve. Both Jagan and Burnham were two handsome men and had presidential looks.
Both Jagan and Burnham are my “mentors” and I have memorised a number of their statements in their struggle for a better Guyana; even though both of them underestimated the political veracity of the 1923 “MONROE DOCTRINE” and that destiny has ordained the United States of America, to be the Policeman of the world as well the CARICOM and South America to be their backyards. Both Cheddi and Forbes chose two difficult routes to arrive at a new Human Order for Guyana, but oversight, what happened to Jacobo Árbenz of Guatemala, Jose Arevalo of Nicaragua, Juan Bosch of The Dominican Republic, João Goulart of Brazil, Allende of Chile and recently Maurice Bishop of Grenada. Fidel Castro survived all because he did not repeat the mistake of the 1872 Paris Commune.
I am a disciple of Cheddi Jagan and subscribe to the theory of Marxism-Leninism, like Dr. P.A. Reid and Forbes Burnham. It will take another 500 years when civilization has reached a higher level of human, spiritual, moral and brotherly dispensation before the concept of communism can be applied. This is only possible when human civilization has come to realise that capitalism has failed to promote a New Global Human Order and the now mighty U.S.A. has changed its philosophy of domination.
Even how much we can speak of Cheddi Jagan’s communism and Forbes Burnham’s dictatorship, their democratic practices in Guyana will overshadow the vile propaganda in a worthless culture to defile the historic role of these two benefactors of which we the Guyanese nation are the beneficiaries.
The 1980 Constitution is a marvellous document that constitutes the Parliament, the Regional Democratic Councils and the NDCs. If we have amended it to lose political clout, then we should not cry “FOUL.” The present constitution, if properly applied with political vision, can see the “Ruling Coalition” running for three terms in Government. On the opposite side, the new leadership have three trump cards which, if applied with political vision, can change the political order. Above all, whatever we may do or propagate, we must keep the goodwill of Guyana foremost in our minds. We have to move on.
Regards
Isahak Basir