Leader of the Opposition (LOO) Aubrey Norton revealed that he was invited by Exxon to be briefed on their operations since the PNC was “a government in waiting”. Well, based on how a parliamentary system of government works, the Opposition IS a “government in waiting” …the only question is how long will they be waiting!! Right here in Guyana, Norton’s PNC under his mentor Burnham had Jagan’s PPP “waiting” for 28 years!! And over in Gabon, the Opposition waited FIFTY-FOUR years – and when the Government was overthrown in a coup a few weeks ago, it was by a member of the ruling Bongo clan!! So, they’re still waiting!! With their politics being of French provenance, maybe they’re waiting for Godot!!
But the PPP ain’t the PNC, eh? And since the PNC DID unseat the PPP in 2015 – to become the Government – maybe Exxon’s hedging their bets. After all, it was after that unseating that Exxon got their giveaway contract signed by Trotman on behalf of the PNC, didn’t they?? So this raises the question as to whether Norton raised the issue of the giveaway – which Trotman assures us was approved by the PNC/AFC Cabinet!! From where your Eyewitness sits – faaaaar away from Exxon!! – That would’ve given Norton some leverage, no?? But then again, he wasn’t in Granger’s good books to sit at the Cabinet table then – having dared to suggest that the PNC’s election was rigged to make Granger leader!!
So, what did Norton demand of Exxon – after all the huffing and puffing his PNC’s done about Exxon being a big, bad wolf who’s scared the PPP sh*tless?? “Demand”?? The man didn’t even “request” – but “indicated”!! “We have also indicated to them that our interest lies in ensuring the Guyanese people obtain as much as is possible from the oil and gas sector and that while we see the importance of investment in Guyana, we also see that it is important for the Guyanese people to benefit.” How the heck does one “indicate”?? By going down on one’s knees and shedding tears?? Is this how Norton expects the PNC to change from being a “government in waiting” to a “government in office”??
This will simply NOT do!! It’s your Eyewitness’s firm opinion that it is the PNC – and ONLY the PNC – that knows where the skeletons are buried on the giveaway contract. This was indicated by that early Global Witness report. Norton’s now PNC leader and the LOO – so he has the wherewithal to get the dirt on what went down when Trotman signed along the dotted line in Houston back in 2016. He can have the entire contract VOIDED – and Exxon surely wouldn’t even want to have this discussed!!
C’mon LOO!!
…more expansive??
So at the meeting of G20 – with “India that is Bharat” in the Chair – these dominant economies brought the African Union (AU) into their (charmed?) circle!! So, after 15 years, Africa’s being brought in from the cold into the institution that controls global finance!! Modi – who’s the PM of “India that is Bharat” – has been pushing for the longest while for the “global south” to sit at the table with the big boys. So, what arguments did he use to persuade the others??
Well, after the seven or so African coups (your Eyewitness lost count!) in the last three years, it’s becoming clear that the old European hegemony over Africa’s resources – divvied up in 1885 at the Berlin Conference – is coming to an end!! So, he’s sure – to use the inimitable words of President LBJ – G20 would rather have Africa “in the tent pissing out than have them out of the tent pissing in! Then, of course, it’s accepted that with its young demographic, Africa’s the next China!!
…independent
Sanctions are applied to force compliance of countries when something vital can be withheld. Like the US sanctioning a rising China by withholding new computer chips. But Huawei just released their new phone – showing China’s caught up!! Apple’s value fell by US$200M!!
