–for your distinguished contributions to this country

Dear Editor,

I AM moved by the commentaries, insights and sagaciousness of outgoing British High Commissioner Greg Quinn in his recent interview on the Kaieteur News Radio programme, ‘Room 592’. I implore all Guyanese to take the time to listen and learn from this eminent citizen of this planet who has taken his time to share his observations and understanding of the fundamental problems facing the people of this country.

It is gratifying to hear how much Mr. Quinn has appreciated the culture, food, and geography of Guyana. What is striking, however, is his insights about our social, political, and economic challenges. One of the concerns that stand out in Mr. Quinn’s mind is the need for constitutional and other structural reform that could ease the political and racial tensions that have dogged the nation for decades. Guyanese could learn, for example, how Northern Ireland, Mr. Quinn’s home country, handled the humongous (religious) divide, thereby reducing the hatred, enmity and suspicions between the two sides.

I wish to thank Mr. Quinn for his outstanding service to this country. I do trust that the President of Guyana would heed Freddie Kissoon’s suggestion to erect a bust of Mr. Quinn (as well as one each of Bruce Golding, Owen Arthur, US Ambassador Sarah Ann Lynch, Canadian High Commissionner Lilian Chatterjee, and EU Ambassador Fernando Ponz Cantó) to remember their roles in helping to preserve freedom and democracy in Guyana.

Thank you, High Commissioner Quinn, for your distinguished contributions to our country.

Yours truly,
Dr. Devanand Bhagwan