Hoyte's achievements venerated at funeral
Parties pledge new political culture
By Patrick Denny
Stabroek News
December 31, 2002
Under a sometimes overcast sky, thousands gathered at the Public Buildings yesterday and heard high praise for the achievements of the late former Executive President, Hugh Desmond Hoyte and a pledge from the parties to forge a new political culture.
President Bharrat Jagdeo and PNCR Chairman, Robert Corbin, as well as the representatives of other political parties pledged themselves to work for an inclusive, just and democratic society. They also pledged themselves to the creation of a new political culture, which in the words of President Jagdeo, permits the display of magnanimity and grace, and eschews the old and decrepit political culture "that forbids praise in the lifetime of a fellow man but brings flowers at his death."
Hoyte's body, encased in a highly polished wooden casket with a sculpted palm tree as its only adornment, arrived at the Public Buildings on an open-back canter truck draped in gold and black, his favourite colours. It was escorted by a throng of his grass roots supporters chanting and waving palm leaves as the cortege made its way from the Square of the Revolution. The procession from the Square of the Revolution was scheduled to take half-an -hour but arrived at the Public Buildings more than an hour after its noon departure.
The dignitaries in the Public Buildings compound included: Sir Clifford Husbands, Governor General of Barbados, who studied with Hoyte in the United Kingdom; Grenada's Foreign Minister Elvin Nimrod, student of Hoyte when he taught at the Grenada's Boys Secondary School; Jamaica's Foreign Minister, Delano Franklin; Suriname's Foreign Minister, Marie Levens; Former Finance Minister and ACP Assistant Secretary General, Professor Carl Greenidge; Former Guyana High Commissioner to London, Cecil Pilgrim CCH; and management consultant Dr Aubrey Armstrong.
An honour guard of 39 senior officers from the Joint Services under the command of Lt. Col. Bruce Lovell, who served as Hoyte's Aide-de-Camp when he became President in 1985, lined the forecourt of Public Buildings for the arrival of the body. Eight pallbearers from the military assisted PNCR parliamentarians, Vincent Alex-ander and Deryck Bernard, general secretary, Oscar Clarke and PPP/C parliamentarian Khemraj Ramjattan to transfer the casket from the hearse to the tent. There the body lay in state for viewing by the President and First Lady Uma Jagdeo and the Heads and other senior officers of the Disciplined Services. Members of the Cabinet should have viewed the body but could not make their way from the gallery of the Public Buildings.
A slight delay while President Jagdeo had to make his entrance via the Hadfield Street entrance to the Public Buildings fuelled the restlessness of the crowd.
There were readings from Ecclesiastes by Jennelle Dyer, the best debater in the first annual Walter Rodney Debates for Secondary Schools and Yonette Walton, the best graduating student at the CXC examinations this year. Both hail from Linden where Hoyte began his active involvement in political campaigning. A passage from Ecclesiastes was read by Norwell Hinds and Eusi Anderson, two students from Queen's College.
There were renditions of national songs by the Woodside Choirs Interna-tional; a musical tribute by the Police Band; and a musical tribute - How Lovely are Thy Dwellings -by Paul Cort. But it was the rendition of Hero by Amanda Vieira which had PNCR supporters waving their palm leaves. So well received was her performance that she was asked to do an encore while the body was being moved from the tent to the hearse for the journey to its final resting place at The Seven Ponds.
The various musical presentations and readings from the scriptures interspersed tributes by Carvil Duncan, President of the Trades Union Congress and general secretary of the Guyana Labour Union of which Hoyte was President; from Dr Peter deGroot chairman of the Private Sector Commission; and by representatives of the parliamentary parties and President Jagdeo. There were tributes too by Dr Mohamed Shahabuddeen whose election to the International Court at the Hague Hoyte had championed; CARICOM Secretary General, Edwin Carrington; Cuban Ambassador to Guyana, Jose Manuel Inclan Embade; the Dean (ag) of the Diplomatic Corps; and the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran SC.
Speaking on behalf of the PNCR, Corbin referred to Hoyte's speech to his party's congress in August in which he exhorted PNCR members to embrace change and to see it as necessary in politics as in life if the party was not to fossilize and become irrelevant. Corbin pledged that those on whom the mantle of leadership had fallen would embrace revolutionary ideas and not be afraid of change.
He said too that they would hold fast to the values of honesty, efficiency and to building a cohesive and economically prosperous society as well as work for peace and harmony and an inclusive society.
He recalled Hoyte's courage in taking new and bold initiatives despite the criticism and the carping of lesser men who did not share his vision for the country.
Corbin also acknowledged the co-operation and support his party received from the government in the planning of the activities celebrating Hoyte's life including yesterday's ceremony. He said he hoped it could be the dawn of a new era.
President Jagdeo's tribute was made against the backdrop of loud and noisy heckling by the crowd. He acknowledged Hoyte's contribution to the development of the nation and said that despite being on opposite ends of the political spectrum, "in numerous ways and on many occasions, we belonged to the same side."
"Our strategies may have differed and our perspectives varied, but none dare challenge his patriotism, doubt his resolve, or contest his commitment to serving his country. He was a fervent Caribbean integrationist: a Regional stalwart who has successfully run his course and made his mark."
Recalling his engagements with Hoyte in the now suspended dialogue process, the President said that he came to know and appreciate Hoyte's informal side: "Away from the glare of the media and without the technocrats and advisers, we held long hours of intense discussions and together we drafted documents reflecting positions agreed on and new areas of co-operation. His personal grace, delightful banter and rich anecdotes transformed our waiting to have these documents prepared, into pleasant human encounters."
He remarked that he has grown to appreciate those encounters as he and Hoyte met not merely "as two individuals with political mandates but as countrymen who realised and accepted the enormous responsibility for the future of our people and country".
And reaching across the political divide, the President said "I want the new leadership of the Party of Mr Hoyte to know that they will find me ready for discourse and willing to collaborate in the interest our people. Love for our beloved country requires no less."
He observed that the late PNCR leader "had played his part to the end in tireless work for the nation" and "in his honour and memory let us play our part".
Donald Ramotar MP, the PPP general secretary, said that during Hoyte's presidency, which he described as not an easy one for the country, he had displayed a keen understanding of the various currents that were operating both nationally and internationally. "It was his grasp of all the various tendencies that led him to make the historic reforms that helped to make the conditions for change less painful."
He stressed the need for strengthening the country's democratic institutions and allowing them to work to the maximum as well as allowing the amended constitution to work so that the parties could build inclusivity in the National Assembly. "We can and we must succeed in making democratic norms irreversible in this country ", he observed. "If and when we succeed in these tasks then the return to democracy that occurred in 1992 would be a lasting monument to those who were involved, including Mr Hoyte."
GAP/WPA parliamentarian, Sheila Holder said she had no doubt that when Guyana's history is written that Hoyte would command his rightful place among the highest of those that contributed to its sculpting.
She recalled his resilient response to the tragic loss of his two children on April 30, 1985, which she described as being at once perplexing and the basis of great awe.
She said too that, "his truly path-breaking seven-year presidency has etched his name indelibly onto the hearts and minds of all persons of honest prescription."
ROAR's leader and parliamentarian, Ravi Dev recalled a letter from Hoyte on the death of ROAR's organiser two weeks previously in which he described Chaitram Baldeo's death as an "irreparable loss".
He said he had received news of Hoyte's death as his party was holding a memorial service for Baldeo, and it has caused him to call on all Guyanese, especially "us politicians to reflect on our mortality and do what we say we should do in working for the betterment of Guyana."
The United Force's leader, Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Manzoor Nadir described Hoyte as the "President of Change" for agreeing to electoral reforms which introduced changes that are now irreversible as well as making the economic reforms which lay the foundation for Guyana's recovery.
Nadir observed that Hoyte was that rare breed of men who dedicated their life to the service of their people. He said Hoyte's rise to the Presidency of the Republic was as a result of his outstanding contribution as a parliamentarian, a minister and as Prime Minister. Nadir noted too that after his service as President, Hoyte served with the same vitality and integrity and enthusiasm as Leader of the Opposition.
In his remarks, Dr Shahabuddeen said there was no need to speak of Hoyte's integrity and that his lifestyle was anything but grand. His intellect was searching and powerful, encyclopaedic in its range and profound in depth.
He said Hoyte had a profound grasp of the historical development of the nation, a sense of civilisation and a reverence for the diversity of the country's peoples and though he had not the easy way of a politician he was readily and equally available to all.
Dr Shahabuddeen recalled the place Hoyte had in the national psyche as illustrated when the country held its breath and collectively prayed for his recovery when he was forced to seek medical attention overseas in 1993.
He said too that his manifest stature as a leader was secured by his work to give every Guyanese a place in the sun and his being big and bold enough to take account of the thinking of others to advance the national interest.
Dr Shahabuddeen said that when an overall historical assessment of Hoyte is made it would show that he led Guyana at a very grave stage of the country's maturation. He suggested that in honour of his memory all Guyanese should join hands in the completion of Hoyte's unfinished mission - that of ensuring prosperity for all and the achievement of a society of harmony and peace.
GTUC President Duncan recalled Hoyte's contribution to the trade unions to which Hoyte gave freely of his time, advice and negotiating skills. He recalled how Hoyte had shared lunch with the GTUC executive as part of a meeting the day before he died. He said Hoyte had promised that they would meet before Christmas, a meeting that was not to be.
Dr deGroot recalled how Hoyte as President reversed the accepted wisdom of the day and embraced the market economy allowing personal initiative and enterprise to flourish as well as assigning to the Private Sector the role of being the engine of growth.
CARICOM Secretary General, Edwin Carrington described Hoyte as an astute politician, an enlightened leader and unrepentant integrationist. The last belief was no doubt deeply rooted in his positive and early experiences as a young teacher in Grenada and in his many travels throughout the Caribbean, even as he promoted the interests of his own nation.
Carrington recalled Hoyte's first address as Guyana's President to the 1986 CARICOM Summit that was held in Guyana and at which he assumed the chairmanship of the movement for a year.
He said that at that meeting Hoyte's reiterated that Guyana "is an integral, inseparable and enduring part of the Caribbean Community."
Carrington recalled Hoyte's challenge to his fellow heads when he also observed at that meeting that CARICOM had "...arrived at a stage where a prime requirement for its further advance is the establishment of effective, diversified linkages among the economies of Member States.. ...", impressing upon them the need to "move rapidly and resolutely towards the concept of an integrated regional economy".
Carrington said that Hoyte's colleagues at the time "responded to his vision three years later in Grenada in the now famous 1989 Grand Anse Declaration with the decision to create a CARICOM Single Market and Economy, of which we have been hearing so much."
Carrington said Hoyte never lost sight of the place of people in the integration process. Indeed, the very rationale of the process was, for him, "to ensure...a home in which our people may live as mutually respecting members of a humane, tolerant and free society, firmly resting on foundations of social and economic justice."
About his other contributions to CARICOM Carrington recalled his formidable advocacy on behalf of the ACP sugar producing countries in Brussels and the way he marshalled the Caribbean forces to victories well beyond their size at that famous United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992.
Carrington noted also that as Leader of the Opposition, Hoyte remained as firm in his commitment to the Region as when he was President. "He contributed to the CARICOM efforts that led to the Herdmanston Accord and to the Saint Lucia Statement" which were intended to solve the 1997-98 elections unrest here.
Speaker of the National Assembly Ramkarran, commented on Hoyte's remarkable capacity to capture political moments and transform them into historical events, a quality, which he said, symbolised the dialogue process.
He said the policies Hoyte initiated early in his Presidency between 1985-1992 "must have been nurtured during his long years as a political activist, Cabinet Minister and Prime Minister".
He noted that he devised and implemented policies for Guyana's development and sustained them to their logical, though perhaps unanticipated conclusion.
"In transforming economic relations, laying the basis for a return to press freedom, and agreeing to electoral reforms, Mr Hoyte returned Guyana to an accepted place among democratic nations and elevated the dignity and respect for the Guyanese people."
Commenting on his leadership of his party in Opposition, Ramkarran said though his leadership was controversial "he displayed a determination that his Party should remain an electorally competitive force and responsive to public opinion."
The Speaker recalled too Hoyte's ability as a skilled debater. His was an "eloquent voice" and "distinguished presence" and that "it was in his time that our political discourse gathered momentum in rooms across tables with words as our weapons". This outcome, he noted was not inevitable.
In eulogizing Hoyte, Keith Massiah SC who served as his Attorney General, referred to his triad of social legislation that is "a statutory guarantee that a man's dependants cannot be left unprovided for: for even when a wife is left nothing by a will, she can approach the court for an order varying the will and providing benefits from the testator's estate."
He described Hoyte as a genuine scholar with a voracious appetite for literature as testified by his extensive library. Massiah also described Hoyte as "dignified, urbane, modest, sincere and sophisticated" who never allowed himself to be seduced by pomp or beguiled by power.
In closing he dedicated some lines from a Latin poem to express the thought that from Hoyte's grave would "spring roses and marigolds and the hyacinth with a purple face ... and forever among the fortunate may you walk in the Elysian field."
At the end of the speeches and the pomp of the military honours, six young people- representative of Guyana's six races- let loose six white birds. Vieira's rendition of Hero was picked up by the crowd and the funeral cortege moved off with some semblance of order following an appeal by Corbin. This allowed the hearse, with the casket draped in the Guyana flag, to get near to the military. The cars carrying Mrs Hoyte and the close relatives of the couple then followed the cortege to the former President's final resting place at the Seven Ponds in the Botanical Gardens, the Place of Heroes.
At the Square of the Revolution
Crowds flock to view their fallen leader
By Samantha Alleyne
For three hours yesterday morning Guyanese queued at the Square of the Revolution for a final glimpse of the body of former President Desmond Hoyte as it lay in an open casket.
Many remained at the site after viewing the body reflecting with friends and PNCR supporters on the life of their departed leader.
The Yoruba Singers was also on hand to provide songs of tribute.
Stabroek News spoke with a few of the mourners and asked them for their thoughts on the occasion. One person said: "As the former head of Guyana he did many good things for us.. He had a lot of visions for Guyana and he has left a lot for the others (in the party) to carry on. He was like a father, a mentor, a friend, a big brother and everything that meant a lot for me. Whenever he was around everybody felt that things would be okay."
Another mourner said that with the death of Hoyte, Guyana has lost a great son of the soil while another said he was there to pay his respects to Mr Hoyte, "someone that I really, really admire, because of his contributions towards the development of his country. During the last two elections we could have gone down another path but because of his soberness, he really gave this country another opportunity."
Some were of the opinion that there should have been a national holiday in honour of the man who had done so much for Guyana.
"My Hoyte was a great man. It is sad that he had to go now, but we knew he had to go sometime," one mourner said.
"This is a most touching moment in the history of this country, the man who stood for peace, equality, justice...has passed away. The most unfortunate thing is that during his tenure as President if he was given the opportunity to serve another term, this country would have achieved tremendous success," a mourner said.
Another added that, "The time is sad because we have lost a leader, a father and everything...so all we have to do now is join hands together and see what we can do and make the party a success."
"All I have to say is that I am very much sad about the whole situation, I have known Mr Hoyte in my earlier days as a policeman, I had very close contact with him and he has taught me a lot. And if you note I have a very close resemblance to him, so I feel it very deeply," said another.
Others paid glowing tributes to the man and felt that he was taken before his job was complete. "He was a man for all people, it is very, very worrisome for all of us, he was a man of peace. I do hope that the others that have left will follow through." Many felt that if it were not for Mr Hoyte, many persons would not be who they are today. The youths all echoed the sentiment that Hoyte did a lot for them and said they hope the executives of the party would carry on his legacy. A resident of Buxton said the whole of the village mourns his passing. There were banners from all ten regions and persons were advised to march behind their respective region's banner as the casket was borne to the Parliament Building for the state funeral.
Region One's banner said that it `Salutes our fallen hero,' while Region Two's stated it `Respects the loss of a great statesman' and Region Three's read that it, `Recognises the loss of our great leader.' `Region Four regretted 'the passing of a true believer of democracy,' while Region Five said it `Recognises the loss of a true leader' and Region Six's banner stated, `A hero has fallen but the rainbow is alive' and Region Seven said `We salute the architect of the ERP'. Region Eight's banner declared that Hoyte was a `Leader, visionary, reformist. We have lost a man of the people.' `A fighter for the indigenous people' read Region Nine's banner and Region Ten had a banner that said, `We love him, we respect him.'
As the casket left the Square of the Revolution on the back of a truck which was draped with the party's colours of yellow and black, the supporters, waving palm leaves and bearing photographs of Hoyte, gathered behind and in front of it as it drove down Brickdam for the State Funeral at the Public Buildings.
Many persons lined the streets and workers of the various companies along the route were seen looking out as the cortege progressed.
In front of the Public Buildings, where a large crowd was waiting, some people swarmed in front of the truck's path screaming "Desmond!" while some were singing, "We shall overcome".
Police officers and party officials attempted to restrain the crowd.
