Home Letters Attempt to damage relations between Guyana and the US
Dear Editor,
There is, in journalism, a line between honest mistakes and blatant lies. The post by senior journalist Enrico Woolford — alleging that “Guyana’s Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, was escorted off and questioned by Federal agents at JFK airport” — not only falls squarely within the ambit of fake news and public mischief (a crime), but borders on treason!
Let me be pellucid: Woolford has made a fake news post ostensibly to cast aspersions on Minister Bharrat, which is political mischief; but the more serious offence is the attempt to damage relations between Guyana and the United States of America. Woolford must know that Minister Bharrat travels on a diplomatic passport, and is therefore an Official Representative of the Government of Guyana, which precludes him from being questioned by anyone!
Diplomats from North Korea and at-war Russia travel to America and throughout the world without being questioned, and any such ‘detention/questioning’ is unprecedented and would be a declaration of hostilities between the nations on a preposterous level. This is an example of Goebbels’ “Big Lie” on steroids!
The question for the Guyana Government is: how much rope should be allowed under the aegis of ‘free speech’?
I am of the firm belief that Mr Woolford has crossed the line most egregiously, and must be held to account within the Laws of Guyana.
I do not need to remind the Guyanese people that America is our friend, and an ally who is standing strong with us against the threat of Venezuela on our western border.
I strongly urge the Government of Guyana to take every possible action to protect our relations with the United States of America, and to investigate thoroughly Enrico Woolford’s motives; for attempting to drive a wedge between our nation and an agency of a foreign country should not be ruled out summarily.
Mr Woolford must be interrogated thoroughly; for, unlike others, he is a seasoned journalist and must be fully aware of all the consequences of his words and actions.
Sincerely,
Robin Singh