The Jagan era ends
JANET JAGAN, the American-born widow of that 'enfant terrible' of British colonial politics in the Caribbean, the late President Dr Cheddi Jagan, has ended an era of politics in Guyana with her resignation as head of state and government. Some 56 of her 78 years have been devoted to the social and political struggles of her adopted country where she first arrived with her husband in 1943, to emerge as perhaps the most enduring of women politicians in this region. With the inauguration of her chosen successor, the young, 35-year-old Finance Minister Bharrat Jagdeo, the people of Guyana, irrespective of political affinity, race or religion, would come to understand that after more than half a century, the era of the Jagans, Cheddi and Janet, is finally over. Her husband died in office following heart surgery. Now her own heart ailment has forced her to make the historic decision to step down as President, paving the way for new and young leadership in government as Guyana prepares for fresh general elections in 2001. Despite the constant pressures she had to face from the main opposition People's National Congress following the December 1997 general elections, Mrs Jagan maintained a very rigid schedule in carrying out her functions at home and abroad as President over the 20 months she held that office. She will be remembered, among other positive aspects of her Presidency, for the patience, restraint, political maturity and wisdom displayed at critical points when the temptations were to resort to draconian measures in the face of severe threats to law and order. She reminded the Guyanese people in her broadcast statement on Sunday night that critics who felt her Government was "weak" must know that "the state and government, not the opposition or destructive elements, have the responsibility to see to it that the society does not descend into anarchy..." It is to be hoped that now that Mrs. Jagan has left public office, Guyana will accept the challenge to provide new leadership, across the political divide, for a new political dispensation in the 21st century.
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