Guyana is not a democratic society
Dear Sir, Your editorial [please note: link provided by LOSP web site] captioned "Street politics" (4.8.99) is interesting albeit it treats with the consequences of the problem - street protest, and not the cause of the problem - bad governance, and makes the untenable assumption that Guyana is a democratic society. You correctly stated in your editorial that "The maintenance of democratic politics is vital for stability and development", but fail to recognise that it is the absence of democratic politics that has resulted in street protest. The problem in Guyana today is that the government is undemocratic, unresponsive to the concerns of large sections of the society, discriminates against public servants and all Guyanese (regardless of ethnic origin) who it perceives to be its opponents. It should be pointed out en passant that had Guyana been a democratic society, the Auditor General's Report of Special Investigation on the importation of stone by the Ministry of Public Works would have been enough to result in the resignation of the subject ministers involved. However, as we are not governed by a democratic culture, the government uses soviet style propaganda to exculpate the guilty ministers. Stabroek News must face the fact that the goodwill the PPP/Civic came to power with has evaporated. It is true that the PPP will do well in elections. This is so because in the heat and tension of election campaigning, ethnic insecurities tend to transcend a focus on issues and other interests. It must also be understood that many who voted for the PPP are critical of many of its policies and its approach to governance. The legitimacy of the regime is questionable. Even as you write editorials about democracy, you are in skilful breach of that which you are espousing. It is a cardinal element of a democracy that you do not pronounce on matters before the courts. It is now common for your editorials during the week to refer to "those who lose an election." This is done in such a way that while you have not said that the PPP won the 1997 elections, you contemptuously and subliminally convey to the Guyanese people that the 1997 elections were free and fair. This is a dangerous approach which you should hurtle to cease. Justice Claudette Singh is the one who should rule on this matter - not the Editor of Stabroek News. Those of us who campaigned in the 1997 elections and monitored it are unequivocal that those elections were flawdulent. We are prepared to await the courts' decision, even though we are aware of the PPP and Doodnauth Singh's intention of stretching the trial ad infinitum. It is germane to note that if Guyana was a democratic society Doodnauth Singh could not have been the Chairman of an "independent" elections commission and then turn and represent the President-an accused in the election petition. What is more, he is pompously seeking to be involved in another election. For him "that is good." As a member of the PNC I will advocate that Doodnauth and the Gangas of this world should not be involved in future elections. Since I intend to write a book on the street protests of 1998, I do not want to comment on the issue except to point out that your contention that street protest gives the initiative to hard liners in a party is simplistic as it is myopic. Street protest gave the initiative to the energetic, the organisers, the mobilisers, and the young and intelligent who analysed and arrived at rational conclusions. We continue to advocate rational solutions such as power sharing. May I also point out that the protests demanded planning, organising, coordinating and strategising. It was as a result of this organised approach that it was efficacious. To those who advocate power sharing, I say do not despair. That which is necessary will come although it never comes easily. Probably we need another election teemed with tension to bring the power crazy to their senses and for Stabroek News to recognise that its view that "winners and losers must play the game by the rules they have themselves set" is out of step with history and our present reality in which the major political forces do not trust each other. The solution lies in there being no winners and losers. Guyana needs a political system in which all win and there are no losers. However, when your desire is to wield uninhibited power, reason and the interest of the nation are irrelevant to our politicians.
Yours faithfully,
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