…GMSA apologises to President, former mayor, NCW broadside party

FACED with much public backlash, the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), on Friday, apologised to President David Granger for the disruptive behaviour of supporters and associates of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) at the Pegasus Hotel on Thursday, where he was the guest speaker at the GMSA’s annual business luncheon.

“…with direct reference to your involvement as our guest speaker at the said event, our Executive Board wishes to express its sincerest apology to you for the distressing public display of bad manners exhibited, with the obvious intention of disrupting our Luncheon…we fully accept the concept of public protest within a democratic context, but cannot condone protestors using the confines of private property to voice their concerns in such a boisterous and unruly manner,” the association stated in release on Friday.

From outside of the hotel where PPP protesters were threatening to overturn the vehicle of a government minister with her inside, PPP Members of Parliament Juan Edghill and Nigel Dharamlall had led a group of protesters into the building to disrupt the business of the President. Several private sector representatives, who paid to attend the business luncheon, questioned the group’s inability to separate business from politics and were heard saying, “This is not a political event…why are they doing this?”

EXHIBITION OF LAWLESSNESS

Meanwhile, joining the condemnation is National Congress of Women (NCW) – the women’s arm of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), who has labelled the behaviour as “an exhibition of lawlessness, disrespect, discourtesy and crudeness by people who want to run a country”. Earlier on Friday the Ministry of the Presidency had condemned in the strongest terms the “hooliganism and thuggery” displayed by members and supporters of the PPP both in and out of the hotel.

“The lawlessness exhibited is not akin to a democratic political protest, but rather was a display of gross disrespect for the President, his Office, the government and the occasion that was being held at the time. Peaceful and civilised protest action is common in any democracy, but it becomes a sign of worry when a Presidential Candidate and a former President, who is a constitutional office holder, seek to incite violence against the sitting Head of State and ministers of the government, during the execution of their official duties,” the ministry stated, adding:

“Holding the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings, hostage in her vehicle for over half an hour and blocking the smooth ingress of Minister of Public Infrastructure, Mr. David Patterson, all while hurling threating and foul remarks, are entirely unacceptable and should also be condemned by all right-thinking Guyanese. The President assures all Guyanese that every lawful measure will be taken to guarantee the safety of ministers of government and to prevent a breakdown of law and order in the country. The opposition’s undemocratic behaviour and its continuous threats to peace and stability, has no place in this society and will not be tolerated.”

Meanwhile, the NCW stated on Friday: “Our President, His Excellency Brigadier David Granger, an officer and gentleman, watched the madding crowd calmly, as they displayed their hooliganism. The contrast between those fit to rule and those clearly unfit could not be more evident…in our view, the behavior of the PPP/C and its leaders could only be classified as puerile and comical at a forum where important matters were to be discussed.”

THREATS TO PEACE, STABILITY

The Ministry of the Presidency has cautioned that the actions – especially outside the hotel – still being justified by the leader of the opposition as “a peaceful protest” are, in true, threats to peace and stability. Prior to protesters voicing intentions to “turn over de vehicle” of Minister Cummings who was attempting to enter the venue, Ali had bolstered up his supporters shouting “there is no ministers” as they replied “I recognise no title! And no President!” slamming their hands outside the vehicle.

Even before the senior members of the PPP, Gail Teixeira, Edghill and Dharamlall deemed the protest a “civil right” on Friday afternoon, a the release from the Ministry of the Presidency had established that it brings no question to the same indicating “peaceful and civilised protest action is common in any democracy”.

EXTREMELY ATROCIOUS

Meanwhile, Former Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green, likened the behavior during the protest action as “extremely atrocious”. “Yesterday (Thursday), we witnessed at the Pegasus, a replay of this unnecessary banality. The likes of Irfaan Ali, Kwame McCoy, Bishop (sic) Juan Edgehill and others executed what I interpret to be, the beating of war-drums,” he stated in a letter to the press on Friday.

“Thursday’s performance at the Pegasus, reminded me of the mongrels in my neighbour’s yard in Charlestown who terrorised everyone by barking and jumping on the fences but when faced with the canine warriors in our yard, soon retreated with their tails between their legs… the President, stoic-like, majestically ignored the bleating and desk-thumping of these PPP rabble rousers.”

His “stoic-like” remark is in reference to the posture taken by President Granger when Edghill and his colleagues sought to disrupt the business function. He stood, one arm leaned on the podium with his leg crossed waiting patiently for them to quiet down as high-ranking police officials verbally coaxed and convinced them to take their protests outside.

The GMSA stated in its apology that it prides itself as a responsible member of the Private Sector with a mandate to interact with the government of the day – irrespective of party allegiance – in enhancing a necessary partnership towards the process of social and economic development. “The political opposition was informed that they would be invited to air their views at our next Luncheon which is due shortly hence we view their behaviour yesterday as an outright affront to our belief in fairness, impartiality and openness to all opinions in our society,” the association said, adding: “Excellency, we wish to thank you for remaining steadfast in your intention to speak to the business community on relevant policies and strategies of your government, actual and proposed, and to assure you that your speech was well received by our audience.”

Even so, the President has reminded he is committed to holding credible elections in the earliest time possible, in keeping with the provisions of the Constitution and based on the guidance given by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).