Dear Editor,
This period of national crisis, precipitated by Venezuela’s referendum and subsequent aggressive actions on our western border, has become one of revelations.
Waking up to find Freddie Kissoon agreeing with my point of view was somewhat alarming, but when later that day I found myself nodding in agreement with a social media ‘wild man’, I knew it was not the ‘end of days’, but rather a time for unity.
It is therefore disheartening when prominent people seek to use Venezuela’s rogue actions to snipe at the Irfaan Ali administration; and even worse when they buy and sell the Maduro propaganda to take the shots.
Attorney Nigel Hughes took to Facebook to share views on a U.S. military base in Essequibo, which has not been discussed, much less agreed upon by Guyana and the U.S., but presented by Maduro as a fait accompli. It is distressing to see baseless Venezuelan propaganda evading the intellectual defenses of the learned attorney, who then posits that the talks in St. Vincent will break down because Guyana would be unable to give an undertaking not to have a foreign military base or presence, therefore not being able to commit to a ‘zone of peace’, which can also lead to a loss of diplomatic support.
Similarly, Chris Ram says, “Guyanese will be hoping that nothing the President does in St. Vincent will yield a single concession to Venezuela or contribute to an escalation of tensions between our countries, or cause Guyana the loss of any diplomatic support”.
Both of these gentlemen are deluded if they believe that Maduro is acting from a position of morality and sensibility. The man has taken a proud nation into poverty and rogue status in one decade. Maduro is acting in defiance of the United Nations and its court, the International Court of Justice. He rules Venezuela by decree (powers granted by his party’s legislature) and is engaged in theater of the ludicrous with his establishment of a ‘State of Guayana Esequiba’.
Guyana has established, and reserves the right to establish, any type of business, base, or other use on its sovereign territory. There will be neither concession of sovereign rights nor loss of diplomatic support over any such retention of rights.
Opposition and debate form a vital part of good governance, and there are many areas for those who want to score political points to operate within. The border controversy is one area where one must tread lightly, lest one gives aid and comfort to the enemy.
Hughes speaks of ‘Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement’ (BATNA). I can go one better and say many should adopt ‘Best Alternative To Talking Ignorant Egoistic Stuff’ (BATTIES). While Freddie Kissoon has chastised some local organizations for failing to speak up, I differ with him (thankfully), and believe that where ‘ignorance is bliss’ ‘Silence’ really is golden.
Sincerely,
Robin Singh
