It would appear that the teachings of the FBI, Scotland Yard, the Canadian Mounted Branch Police and others are now bearing fruit and I would like to thank them for their cooperation.

It would be great if they can stay until Guyana returns to normalcy. That would show the criminals and the world that Uncle Sam is not going to tolerate anyone trying to overthrow a democratically elected government that is doing its best for the country, by undemocratic means.

I would like to suggest that the forces open an account at one of the commercial banks, so that all peace loving Guyanese, businessmen and businesses can contribute to. It can close a week before Christmas, so there would be some extra cash for them at Christmas. Families of officers who were slain should also be recipients.

The PNC/R especially should be one of the big donors, to show that they are still kin of kin.
Law-Abiding Citizen

Successes, yes, but questions yet to be answered
I MUST confess that the PPP/Civic administration has scored successes during their terms in office, and will achieve much more before this term ends.

But some questions are needed to be answered by the PPP/Civic Government, which will make Guyanese of various political sides happy and probably give the Government more support.

Independence and Republic holidays are the most important holidays in Guyana, but for the years 2003, no national awards were given out. Why not?

2. Why more fan-out exercises are not held regularly nationwide?

3. Will ministers of the government and the President make more time available to meet the public?

4. The PPP/Civic administration has made tremendous strides, but why much more publicity on these is not done? For instance, GINA and GTV need to produce documentaries and organize video shows countrywide to inform and educate citizens about these successes.

5. More booklets and magazines need to be published on successes and circulated in all regions and overseas.

6. Is the time not ripe for a major cabinet reshuffle? Why some older men do not retire and give the younger members a chance.

7. Why does President Bharrat Jagdeo not establish a Ministry of Community Development and make Ms. Phomena Sahoye-Shury, MP - Minister responsible?

She has all the qualities and from information received she has established some 365 CDs countrywide with many more to come on stream.

8. The regional system all the Ministry of Regional Development and local government needs to be revised and make to become mine active.

A proper investigation and audit must be undertaken in the Ministry of Regional Development and Local Government immediately and lots of irregularities will surface.

Information received that some officers in that Ministry should be sent home immediately. The post of Chief Regional Development Officer, Special Projects Officer, and other needs to be investigated and how new person are appointed.

The accounts sections and stores must be looked into. Another area to be looked into is the department of sports.

Mr. President, I know your hands are filled but you need to look into these issues. Put your loyal and honest officials to investigate. Forget party loyalty. Remove the culprits that are causing you sleepless nights.

The people of Guyana will follow you for you are an honest and dedicated action President. Act now - reshuffle the cabinet and other official offices.

Reappoint an honest Minister of Information, and let GINA work. Let us have a unit to travel the regions, holding video shows on the successes in all areas and the work by the President.

Act now, the people will support you.
MAUNIC DORIS

Telephone still defective
WITH DUE regards, I wish once again to draw your attention to the defects of my telephone which could aptly be described as ‘Disastrous’.

During May 2003 I have had one of the biggest headaches. From May 8th my telephone was down for just below two weeks. It worked for a few days after I made strong complaints and it is now down again.

Ten years ago my telephone was installed with a technological defect, at least that was what I was told and for ten years I suffered tremendously due to the breakdown of my telephone.

From time to time I made numerous complaints o the Telephone Authority and on a few occasions I wrote you in connection with this defect but no corrective measures were ever applied, while I continued suffering from ruptured communication with the outside world.

Each time I complained about a break down of my telephone, technicians after a long delay will visit the location and go through the same ten year old repair rituals, which is undoubtedly an exercise in futility as this technological thing never seems to end.

I will feel obliged if you can advice me as regards to the amount of time the Company will need in the future to remedy this defect so that I will have an idea when to expect relief.
PARAG SUKHAI

Check before putting pen to paper.
I SHALL deal with what is emerging as an ethnic - race contention fully, later. For the moment, I wish to respond to the letter published in the Stabroek News of June 7, 2003, page 7 entitled, “My father suffered terribly in the Army,” by Mr. Shawn Michael Samaroo.

I wish to express dismay, and disappointment, that, in his zeal to deal with the race issue, that young Samaroo didn’t respond to me, as he should. He did so by using his father as an example of racial profiling or bias in the army, and thus, unnecessarily exposed the human frailties of his father.

Young Samaroo must know that I served as member of the Defense Board for several years.

I knew of warrant officer Samaroo. His dismissal was completely unrelated to his ethnic identity.

Generally, he was considered a good soldier, but some of his actions were determined to be unacceptable in any Army. That was the cause of him being cashiered.

The burden of Shawn Samaroo’s contention is contained in the third paragraph of his letter, to wit that his father was dismissed on a flimsy charge.

Painful as it is, and with the need for truth, and the retention of the good name of the Army, then and now, I recall thus:

He was charged for indiscipline on several occasions, including being absent without leave, expect in one solitary instance.

One of the bad cases was when he was charged for disobeying lawful orders by officer, Khaleel, an Indian. On this charge he was found guilty by Col. Muss, certainly both a non-Indian, non-African nearer what we describe as ‘local white’.

The straw that broke the camel’s back was when he was charged for stealing dry rations in 1984.

On May 25th 1984, his car PW994 was found at Farm Village, with items taken improperly from Army Headquarters. He admitted his guilt and was appropriately dismissed.

These are the facts, and I can only assume that Shawn Michael Samaroo must have been a toddler and unaware of his paternal odyssey in the Army.

For him and others, I suggest that they check before putting pen to paper.

My desire is to overcome this difficulty of race. Let us deal with each other based on the content of the other person’s character and willingness to share.
HAMILTON GREEN