Dear Editor,
Granger in his dire need to legitimise, as well as bring his Government into recognition in Caricom brought the Prime Minister of Barbados to Guyana at our 50th Independence celebration. Minister Freundel Stuart was given a red carpet welcome and accorded all the courtesies befitting a leader of another country. In so doing, President Granger was extending the love, friendly and good neighbourliness that exist, or should I say “should exist” between fellow sister Caricom territories. At a regal ceremony held here, Mr Stuart was given Guyana’s second highest award, The Order of Roraima.
Now, Barbados held their golden jubilee celebrations a few weeks ago and Mr Granger was in attendance, taking some of our soldiers with him to perform a spectacular fireworks display, which they did commendably. Now, one would have thought that the Prime Minister of Barbados would have reciprocated with the usual knighthood of our leader, but this was not to be. Instead, Mr Granger was only made mention of that he was in attendance and that he gifted the Bajans with his fireworks and nothing else. Without even delving into the details, one can readily conclude that his visit there did not hit a very high note where the Bajan was concerned. His presence there was low-keyed to say the least.
So, being crestfallen as he was, President Granger then made the excuse that he was not there hunting for an award, but to show his appreciation of the Barbadian Prime Minister for his support in our border issue with Venezuela. Now, I am looking up my history to see if this statement coincides with anything I know about Barbados’ sterling support for Guyana and have come up empty handed. And even if that was so, why didn’t the Guyanese leader get a knighthood, or some other dignified recognition from his Bajan counterpart? Where is the reciprocity? For Stuart to have accorded Granger any other accolade it would have been an indictment on his, as well as other democratically elected leaders in Caricom. I like to go back a little into history, when Burnham died none of the Caricom Leaders came to his funeral, no not one. Were they so busy that no one could have attended? No? They were all showing their disdain for the lack of democracy in Guyana. It was protest action from Caricom’s leaders.
I would close by saying this, despite Nagamootoo’s rhetoric of “not being an Indian” he could have been afforded all the accolades of “An Indian” from India’s Government, why couldn’t Granger be given that respect right here in his backyard?
Sincerely,
Neil Adams
