Dear Editor,
THIS week, we note with interest through Facebook and other media, concerns expressed about the leadership of the ‘Coalition’ and, in particular, the leadership of David Granger.
No doubt, this concern may be the results of the fulminations and hype consequent to the ‘fak’e news generated by the well-funded and well-oiled Mercury propaganda outfit. One should not be surprised that this has created concerns within the ranks of the ‘Coalition’ Party and their supporters.

Already, the PPP propaganda ploy has suggested that:
Any recount that fails to give the PPP an electoral victory will be flawed.
Mind you, this is before the details of the recount are known; a clear case of “reductio ad absurdum”.

This latter ploy is to frighten ordinary people by this nonsense.
The additional contention that if David Granger is sworn in as President, the international community will apply sanctions against Guyana.

What sanctions were applied during the height of brutal assassination and the drug trafficking during the administration of the PPP?

We know certain top members had their visas cancelled; and remember, when the Late Ronald Gajraj was appointed High Commissioner to India, he had to travel by circuitous route, because his visas to North America were cancelled.
Citizens must not, as some have been, frightened by this nonsense about sanctions. More on this later.

Perhaps, the above may have caused expressions of concern from the likes of Rickford Burke, who, I believe, has his heart in the right place. But I say to him and others, this is no time to fan the flames of disunity; neither should we panic.

In response to Rickford Burke’s charge against the Leader, David Granger and the ‘Coalition’, I have had similar sentiments expressed by former colleagues in the diaspora.
Some of them have understandably stated that the confusion in the political arena today could not, and would not have taken place were Forbes Burnham alive.

I have gone to great lengths to explain to them that such a comparison is out-of-place, even though it may give those of us who lived through the hellfire of the 50s and 60s, and the post-1992 period some comfort. First, the Cold War has officially ended, even though there are new and difficult dynamics internationally.

Second, Forbes Burnham represents the perspicacity and vision that a Nation experiences once in thousands of years.

Thirdly, Burnham had the support of many all-time great men and women, who, for whatever reason, are not available to David Arthur Granger.

Next, thanks to a challenging environment, Burnham was able to recruit the likes of Ranji Chandisingh, Vincent Rambarran Teekah and others who were part of the PPP Top-Brass that came over to the PNC, thanks to Burnham’s charisma and understanding of the real world in which we live. David Granger has to superintend a collection of political parties and groups that produce the likes of Charandass Persaud.

Burnham, as Leader of the PNC, would have dealt condignly with any ‘Judas’ that appeared on the scene.

Finally, Burnham had the support of an all-powerful, energised Party Secretariat that functioned 24/7. Another condition which Rickford Burke and other well-meaning supporters need to recognise is the in-born racists and hypocrites, who, like worms, have come out of the woodwork as a result of this interregnum.

As one who has been in the hustings from the early 50s, I disagree with the simplistic position taken that Granger is a weak Leader. I believe Granger has avoided the tedium of replying to every statement made in the media and Facebook by satanic forces. I believe that Granger is acting the role of a true Statesman who is concerned with securing the peace of our nation-state.

I believe that history will honour him; that time will justify his staying above the noisiness of the rabble.

To those who accept the evil of the other side, I say, let us get away from our typewriters and talk to the young and old, to explain our history and the danger of weakening in any way the Leader of the PNC and the Leadership of the ‘Coalition’.

I understand the frustration of those opposed to the PPP, but feel that the ‘Coalition’ is not sufficiently energised.

Valid as this may be, what is now urgently needed is for us to be like a solid chain without a single, weak link; a group where the very young and the old must be allowed to use its various skills to save our beloved Guyana.

I end by making a plea to transform the words of the second stanza of the PNC Battle Song, written by Eusi Kwayana, into reality:
“Hold the line of battle, comrades,
Link our arms in unity,
Organise and charge the forces
Of the haughty enemy!
Truth shall be our martial weapon
Brotherhood, our armour plate
Guyanese the breed we’ll cherish
Scorning paths of racial hate;
From field, office, factory
Rally to the PNC”.

That this and succeeding generations will not be the victims of corruption, crassness and subtle racism.

This is a monumental task, and requires the intellectual vigor of my friend Rickford Burke and those who speak to me on a daily basis.

We must not let our noble ancestors who suffered from the wiles of colonialism, discrimination and inhumanity turn in their graves.
The struggle continues!

Regards,
Hamilton Green