Tambo Award: The Boiling Pot. What’s In it? – By Eusi Kwayana – Letter
Let me see how I can usefully enter the AWARD discussion. I do so with the objectives of Justice and Reconciliation. I want to do so without compromising Justice or endangering reconciliation. There two are the Midwives of a better, more secure, more equal Guyana. Memories (including mine) are shaky. A review of the record may be helpful. Challenges will be welcome as we must clear the air without polluting it.
After the killing of Walter Rodney in an explosion in a car in June, 1980, the administration arrested one person, his brother, and driver at the time of the explosion. The administration invited two UK experts Dr Skuse and Dr Johnson who prepared reports that can be useful in a trial or Inquiry. Those experts were not qualified, nor required, to investigate guilt. Donald Rodney named as suspect a soldier, whose identity was denied by the Army Chief of Staff, now a government nominee on the Broadcasting Authority Board. His statement was later exposed by the suspect’s neighbour’a woman of great homely courage and keen intelligence who identified the suspect as an active GDF soldier. The Catholic Standard, not the police, led to investigation and kept the police reacting.
We still have a nation to build! – By Walter B. Alexander
Nearly half a century ago in May 1966 with the arrival of Independence, Guyanese were saying that we have a nation to build. The then leaders on both sides of the political divide and forward-thinking Guyanese had a vision of development, economic and social, in all spheres of life and living in all parts of the country. The Late Rev. A. L. Luker captured some such sentiments in the third stanza of our National Anthem:
Great Land of Guyana, diverse though our strains, We’re born of their sacrifice, heirs of their pains, And ours is the glory their eyes did not see, One land of six peoples, united and free.
And now nearly fifty years later we are still waiting to see the glory. The majority of Guyanese voters are against the Government; the y are dissatisfied with the state of play, with their quality of life and living, with the observance of law and order in the society, and with the manner in which the government operates. Continue reading →
A regional body overseeing the implementation of counter measures to halt the flow of dirty money has warned Guyana of sanctions if the country fails to meet a revised deadline of November.
Guyana was this week allowed an extension by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), after the National Assembly failed to pass key legislation in time for a critical evaluation meeting in Managua, Nicaragua.
A statement by the 29-state organization sends a clear message of how serious the legislation is to help countries track illegal money. Continue reading →
When Dwayne Bravo was announced as West Indies’ ODI captain, replacing Darren Sammy, a few weeks ahead of the Champions Trophy there were familiar rumblings about island politics. Sammy, who remains the captain in Test and T20 cricket and is part of the Champions Trophy squad, has proved a popular and unifying leader and guided West Indies to a memorable victory at last year’s World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka.
But while West Indies have won their last six Test matches, both Sammy’s own form and that of his team had been less impressive in ODI cricket. Bravo, speaking at his introductory press conference in Cardiff, suggested his appointment would give Sammy a well-earned rest from his previously all-encompassing responsibilities. Evolution, not revolution, was the message. [Read More]
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Thursday May 30, 2013 – China’s President Xi Jingping arrives here on Friday for a three-day visit during which time he will meet with Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders.
The visit follows that of the United States Vice President Joe Biden earlier this week and according to a Chinese Embassy statement the visit is to “further increase political trust and consolidate friendship and cooperation with the entire region”. Continue reading →
John Paterson 1816-1898- The last of his generation – Dmitri Allicock
From a British Guiana Chronicle Newspaper Clipping 1898
The priceless value and meaning of an 1800′ obituary tells many tales of the forgotten times and paints a vivid picture of contemporary life. It testifies to the passing of time, it illuminates, vitalizes memory and brings us tidings of antiquity. The British Guiana Daily Chronicle carried such a death announcement of the last member the Paterson’s family who once held the reign of success and became legend in the early history and the building of British Guiana. This historical newspaper clipping was saved by a descendant of John Paterson and has survived for 115 years.
John Paterson was born the third child of John Dagleish Paterson and Elizabeth Hill at Plantation Christianburg, Upper Demerara in the year 1816. He was the last member of his generation to pass on. [Read more: The 1898 Obituary of Brandy John Paterson]
President Ramotar confirms Guyana now has until November to amend laws governing financial crimes
Speaking in Port of Spain Trinidad, President Donald Ramotar confirmed that Guyana now has until November to come up to speed laws governing the financial crimes of money laundering and financing of terrorism.
Ramotar had dispatched Attorney General Anil Nandlall to Nicaragua where the country was expected to bring the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force up to speed with Guyana’s progress in countering financial crimes. Continue reading →
