L’exigence de la sinc?rit? et du courage faite au secteur priv?

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Le Nouvelliste

Les soci?t?s ne peuvent se construire que par leurs ?lites. Aussi est-elle opportune la d?claration des entrepreneurs du <>. Cette prise de position, de l’avis de Frantz Duval, r?dacteur en chef de Le Nouvelliste, est la premi?re en son genre dans l’histoire r?cente du pays tant dans la forme que dans le fond. La d?claration a re?u l’appui d’associations du secteur priv?, notamment la Chambre am?ricaine de commerce en Ha?ti (AMCHAM), l’Association des Industries d’Ha?ti (ADIH), la Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de l’Ouest (CCIO) et l’Association touristique d’Ha?ti (ATH). Elle est aussi soutenue par le secteur priv? dominicain, particuli?rement les hommes d’affaires de <>, dont Fernando Capell?n de la CODEVI et la Chambre am?ricaine de commerce en R?publique dominicaine (AMCHAMDR).

La note du <> est une invitation au respect des responsabilit?s fiscales et l?gales par le secteur priv?, ? l’?radication de la gangst?risation au moyen du renforcement de la Police nationale d’Ha?ti (PNH), au retour ? l’ordre constitutionnel via un processus ?lectoral cr?dible et ? une r?flexion sinc?re sur les r?gles du jeu politique et commercial en Ha?ti. Ce beau r?ve ne peut se r?aliser que si et seulement si le secteur priv? se r?sout ? pratiquer la sinc?rit? et ? s’armer de courage.

Voudront-ils r?ellement payer les taxes ?

Si Ha?ti est le pays le plus corrompu de l’Am?rique latine et des Cara?bes, cette d?claration doit ?tre accompagn?e d’un acte de contrition et d’une sinc?rit? profonde, car cette corruption et, de surcro?t, la capture de l’Etat viennent d’une connivence entre les secteurs public et priv?. La corruption d?truit le pays ? tous les points de vue. La crise du taux de change, par exemple, en est une cons?quence. La pression fiscale de 5.6% d’Ha?ti (contre 22%) de l’Am?rique latine ne s’explique pas seulement par la pr?sence des gangs, mais aussi par l’?vasion fiscale d’entrepreneurs. Il en r?sulte un d?ficit budg?taire qui doit ?tre mon?tis?, dont la cons?quence est l’inflation et donc la d?pr?ciation de la gourde. (Au passage, la corruption et la gangsterisation du pays sont deux ph?nom?nes intimement li?s).

La corruption dans les douanes met Ha?ti aux antipodes de la tendance mondiale en ce qui a trait aux recettes externes. G?n?ralement dans des pays sous-d?velopp?s comme Ha?ti, les recettes douani?res tendent ? repr?senter une tr?s forte proportion des revenus de l’?tat et arrivent parfois m?me ? d?passer les recettes internes dont la collecte est tr?s co?teuse ? cause des inefficiences administratives. Cependant, pour l’ann?e fiscale 2020-2021, par exemple, les recettes douani?res n’ont repr?sent? que 19% des revenus totaux de l’?tat contre 38% des revenus internes, en nette opposition avec la tendance mondiale. Il ne fait aucun doute que la corruption y est pour beaucoup. A titre illustratif, Ha?ti perd en moyenne 634 millions de dollars l’an dans ses ?changes commerciaux avec la R?publique dominicaine qui, pour sa part, perd 375 millions, suivant une ?tude de 2019 du Center for Strategic and International Studies des ?tats-Unis. Ces donn?es font planer de grands doutes sur la volont? r?elle du secteur priv? d’honorer dor?navant ses dettes envers l’Etat, lesquels doutes il est appel? ? dissiper par sa sinc?rit? prouv?e au moyen d’actions concr?tes et de r?sultats probants.

Voeu pieux : esp?rer une gestion saine de l’Etat et l’?radication des gangs par la PNH

Le secteur priv? s’attend ? ce que l’?tat fournisse ? la PNH les moyens n?cessaires pour maintenir l’ordre et ?radiquer les gangs dans le pays. S’il revient ? la police de maintenir l’ordre dans la soci?t?, la mission de l’?radication des gangs d?passe toutefois ses capacit?s. Tous les ?checs dont la PNH a ?cop? dans sa bataille contre les gangs depuis la tuerie des policiers ? Village-de-Dieu en mars 2021 en disent long. Le secteur priv? devrait donc s’armer de courage et surtout de r?alisme pour faire appel ? la communaut? internationale pour nous aider ? r?soudre le probl?me de l’ins?curit?. Pour ce, il faut chercher l’appui d’autres secteurs priv?s de la r?gion en vue de faire le lobby n?cessaire aupr?s de Washington, car Ha?ti n’est pas une priorit? pour la communaut? internationale, encore moins dans la conjoncture mondiale domin?e par des crispations entre les pays de l’OTAN (notamment les ?tats-Unis) et la Russie apr?s que cette derni?re a envahi l’Ukraine.

De plus, suivant le secteur priv?, la provision ? la PNH de moyens de remplir sa mission pr?suppose une “gestion saine des deniers publics” de la part de l’?tat.

Depuis qu’une instance comme Transparency International a commenc? ? produire son rapport en 1995, Ha?ti a toujours ?t? class?e le pays le plus corrompu de l’Am?rique latine et des Cara?bes. Or, en ces temps-l?, l’?tat d’Ha?ti ?tait extr?mement faible, mais il existait encore. Aujourd’hui, l’?tat ha?tien est tout simplement inexistant. L’une des causes majeures de sa disparition est qu’il a ?t? compl?tement rong? par la corruption. Le rapport d?penses/investissements des gouvernements d’apr?s 2010 avoisine celui de la gestion pendant le coup d’?tat de 1991, montrant donc l’institutionnalisation de la corruption. Dans ces conditions, le moins qu’on puisse attendre du secteur priv? est sa participation ? la (re)construction r?elle et effective de l’?tat, et ceci, par trois moyens : 1) s’acquitter r?ellement de ses exigences envers l’?tat, c’est-?-dire renoncer aux fraudes fiscales et commerciales ; 2) cesser de financer des politiciens corrompus et incomp?tents ; et 3) aider ? l’?mergence d’une nouvelle classe politique en accompagnant des jeunes s?rieux et comp?tents qui ont fait montre d’une vocation sociale ou politique.

R?le du secteur priv? dans des ?lections cr?dibles

Apr?s la communaut? internationale, le secteur priv? me para?t l’acteur le plus important dans les ?lections en Ha?ti gr?ce ? son soutien financier aux candidats. Aussi, le degr? d’acceptation d’un processus ?lectoral en Ha?ti d?pend-il, pour une tr?s large part, de la volont? du secteur priv? qui a bien reconnu dans sa note qu’une condition sine qua non pour cette acceptation est <>. La corruption au sein de l’administration ?lectorale (le CEP) et le financement disproportionn? et obscur des candidats a ?t? une grande source de crise ?lectorale en Ha?ti. ? ce niveau, le secteur doit r?viser qui et comment financer aux ?lections.

Mieux encore, le secteur priv? est appel? ? accompagner ? l’?mergence de v?ritables partis politiques en Ha?ti. Un pays qui a 100 ou 200 partis politiques n’a tout simplement pas de partis politiques. Ce qui est symptomatique de l’absence d’un leadership politique r?el, rendant donc difficile, sinon impossible la r?solution des crises politiques, ce constat montre que fait d?faut en Ha?ti l’ <>, expression importante ? laquelle fait r?f?rence le <> au tout d?but de sa note. La construction de l’int?r?t national doit passer par un travail conjoncturel de r?solution de la crise mais aussi et surtout par une participation de long terme ? la construction des ?lites. Et le secteur priv? doit y jouer un r?le pr?pond?rant. <>.

Joseph Harold PIERRE

desharolden@gmail.com

@jharoldpierre

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Sortie de crise : Jacques Ted St Dic invite le secteur priv? ? se constituer en un bloc unique

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Le Nouvelliste

Le professeur Jacques Ted St Dic, r?agissant ? la note d’un regroupement patronal ha?tien concernant la crise qui secoue le pays, a class? les signataires en deux cat?gories: ceux qui sont d?tenteurs de capitaux et ceux qui en sont gestionnaires, et en a conclu <> dudit secteur est absente, plaidant pour un consensus <>. <>, a fait valoir M. St Dic durant sa participation ? l’?mission ”Panel Magik” le mercredi 31 ao?t.

<>, a recommand? Jacques Ted St Dic, qui croit qu’ <>.

<>, a pr?conis? le professeur Jacques Ted St Dic, qui se questionne notamment sur le projet global. <>, s’est-il demand?.

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113 new COVID cases recorded amid 24.3% positivity rate Loop Jamaica

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News
Loop News

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Jamaica recorded 113 new COVID-19 cases over a 24-hour period up to Wednesday afternoon.

There was no coronavirus related death recorded for the one-day reporting period.

The overall coronavirus death toll in Jamaica remains at 3,254.

There were 108 recoveries on the day, bringing that tally to 96,719.

The newly confirmed COVID-19 cases brought the total number on record for the island to 149,911.

Notably, the island recorded a 24.3 per cent positivity rate based on the samples that were tested on Wednesday.

Of the newly confirmed cases, 59 are females and 54 are males, with ages ranging from 66 days to 93 years.

The case count was made up of Kingston and St Andrew (34), St Catherine (22), Clarendon (14), St Thomas (13), Manchester (seven), St Ann (six), St James (six), St Mary (five), Westmoreland (four), Hanover (one), and St Elizabeth (one).

There are 32 moderately ill patients, six severely ill patients and five critically patients among 1,097 active cases now under observation in Jamaica.

A total of 130 COVID-19 patients are now hospitalised locally.

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Riverside Plaza homeless shelter closed

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

Rosita Thomas, one of the homeless people removed from the Centre for Socially Displaced Persons at Riverside Plaza in Port of Spain, shows off a Newsday clipping outside the building on Wednesday. – SUREASH CHOLAI

RESIDENTS of the Centre for Socially Displaced Persons at Riverside Plaza carpark, Port of Spain have condemned the government and described the relocation of 90 occupants on Thursday as inhumane.

Just before noon, officials from the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services started clearing the area.

Management of the building will be handed back to the National Insurance Property Development Co Ltd.

In 1991, the Society of St Vincent de Paul agreed with the ministry to use the centre as a temporary rehabilitation facility. The centre has a maximum capacity of 200 people, to be cared for by a staff of 14.

But owing to numerous challenges, the ministry decided to move the residents and close the centre.

In a release on Saturday, the society said it was disappointed by the government’s decision.

As some of the residents were taken to another facility, others asked to be taken to the homes of friends and family.

A Ministry of Social Development vehicle outside the closed Centre for Socially Displaced Persons at Riverside Plaza in Port of Spain on Wednesday. – SUREASH CHOLAI

Thirty-four residents, who declined alternative placement, settled on the pavement. Twenty others left voluntarily.

When Newsday got there, only a handful of people – some sheltering from the sun at the side of the building – were spread across the entrance. The centre was empty and the main gate had been locked.

Newsday spoke to a few of them, who explained there had been rumours about the relocation over the past weeks, but they were only given official notice to leave the premises five days ago.

The notice from the ministry, dated August 26, told the residents the centre was intended to be a temporary shelter to help socially-displaced people reintegrate into society.

It said the ministry is already creating “suitable alternative accommodation as part of its continuum of care for socially-displaced persons.”

It added that the ministry had met with the residents to assess, identify and determine any special immediate and long-term needs.

On August 10, line minister Donna Cox said some of the residents would be relocated according to their needs. Some were moved to Vision on Mission, New Life Ministries and community care programmes among others.

Contacted for comment, Anthony Salloum, founder of the NGO Homeless Assistance Office, said the space he’s allowed to use on the ground floor will not be affected by the eviction process just yet.

He preferred to monitor the development of the situation before he saying more.

Andy Pierre, a resident for four years, felt the ministry “didn’t deal with us with justice.”

He claimed his grant was temporarily stopped weeks before the relocation.

“A little time after that, they come and say the building has to close down. Now all who had the vibes to go out and try something for themselves, there was no regard for them. They just come and grab who they want to chock them in rehab…I put whatever money I make on small jobs together. So if they have given us earlier notice or assist us, it would be better.

A homeless person sleeps on a mattress outside the Centre for Socially Displaced Persons at Riverside Plaza in Port of Spain. The centre was closed on Wednesday. – SUREASH CHOLAI

“We just got, ‘Sorry it turned out this way.’

“I think even if they locking down the place, they could help the ones who don’t want to end up back in the homes.”

He is now looking for an apartment, but had hoped the ministry would support residents to “stand on their own feet.”

Rosetta Thomas also expressed frustration.

“I got a lift to go Morvant to put my things by somebody…The plan for tonight is a desperate one.”

She hopes to ask Salloum for a space on the ground floor of the building’s carpark to stay overnight.

“If not, I’ll just walk over to the market and walk around and sit around until the sun rises.”

Thomas, who is retired, said she is not comfortable with the restrictions at the alternatives provided by the ministry.

“Friends and family will not be able to visit you, and sometimes they take away your phone.”

A few others were seen sheltering on the ground floor of the carpark.

A man who lives in the area told Newsday he is happy with the decision to remove the homeless shelter.

“It’s about time, man. The place would be cleaner and safer now. You have to remember this is the gate to the city. For far too long visitors were greeted with the scent of piss and s–t.”

In a follow-up release on Thursday afternoon, the ministry said the alternatives are meant to improve the quality of life for the displaced population, including street dwellers.

“It was previously determined that this venue is unsuitable as long-term residential accommodation for socially-displaced persons,” and “within recent times, the venue has outgrown its original purpose.”

Affected by the closure of the Centre for Socially Displaced Persons at Riverside Plaza in Port of Spain on Thursday, Cynthia Bernard, who did not want her face shown, ponders her next move. – SUREASH CHOLAI

It added as part of its continuum of care for the socially displaced, it is working to establish temporary shelters; transitional housing and services and permanent housing.

During the relocation, it said, 36 people accepted alternative options. Eleven have been placed in community-care programmes, and seven were sent for mental-health long-term care. Five accepted training opportunities through Vision on Mission, and eight more were placed in drug-rehabilitation centres.

One man and his son received assistance through the ministry’s Rental-Assistance Grant, and two occupants were hospitalised and will be relocated after being discharged. One person is reportedly trying to contact relatives for assistance.

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Four more covid19 deaths, 102 new infections

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

File photo

Four more people have died from covid19-related complications, and 102 people tested positive for the virus said the daily update from the Ministry of Health.

Among the dead were two elderly men, a middle-aged man and an elderly woman. One of the four people who died had no pre-existing conditions, and the other three suffered from diseases including hypertension cerebrovascular disease, autoimmune disease and cancer.

The total number of covid19-related deaths now stand at 4,148.

The update added that there are 195 people in hospital and 19 in step-down facilities. Five of the people hospitalised are in the intensive care unit, and four in the high dependency unit.

A total of 5,376 people are in home self-isolation. The ministry said 25 people were discharged from public-health facilities, and 177 people were cleared as recovered community cases.

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Le basket 3×3 s’est bien installé en Guadeloupe

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Guadeloupe FranceAntilles

Basket

Depuis quelques semaines les passionnés de basketball ont pu assister à des tournois de basket 3×3, discipline encore trop peu connue sur l’archipel.

Le basket 3×3 est une variante du basketball standard dans lequel deux équipes de trois joueurs – au lieu de cinq – s’affrontent sur un demi-terrain. Cette discipline a fait son entrée dans les Jeux olympiques en 2020. « Le but de ce tournoi de la Guadeloupe est de faire connaître la discipline au plus grand nombre. Les JO 2024 vont arriver très vite et nous serions très heureux que des joueurs guadeloupéens y participent », explique Ary Chalus, président de la Région. « Le 3×3 est une…


France-Antilles Guadeloupe

512 mots – 01.09.2022

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DPP sends Marlene McDonald’s case straight to high court

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

Ex-government minister Marlene McDonald. –

An indictment has been filed against ex-government minister Marlene McDonald on six counts of money laundering, conspiracy to defraud and misbehaviour in public office.

Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard, SC, filed it on August 29, in the High Court.

Also named in the indictment were McDonald’s long-time companion Michael Carew and three others – Edgar Zephyrine, Victor McEachrane and Wayne Anthony.

In all, the five face 15 counts.

In filing the indictment, Gaspard said it was his “considered opinion” that the offences, which allege dealings with criminal property over the sum of $1 million and various frauds being perpetrated against the State, involved serious and/or complex fraud.

He said it was his intention to exercise his powers under section 23(8) (d) of the Indictable Offences (Preliminary Enquiry) Act, and “prefer an indictment without a preliminary inquiry being completed” in the magistrates’ court.

He has asked the registrar of the High Court to list the matter as soon as possible.

In March, Gaspard discontinued one of the charges against McDonald. The notice of discontinuance of the charge of misbehaviour in public office was dated March 25 and was made under his powers under section 90 of the Constitution, which allows him to discontinue any criminal proceedings undertaken by him or anyone else at any stage before judgment is delivered.

In 2019, when they were charged, the five faced a total of 49 charges of attempting to defraud the government by allegedly procuring funds for Carew’s Calabar Foundation, under the guise that it was a charity.

The discontinued misbehaviour charge against McDonald was in relation to the alleged approval of $2.3 million for a project at Marcano Quarry in Laventille. She was the only one charged with that offence.

The other charges against her and the others allege that they conspired to defraud the State of funds available to the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs to allocate grants to two foundations – Provident Foundation and Calabar Foundation – by falsely representing they were genuine organisations, and allegedly approving grants to be used for education, skills enhancement and business development programmes in poor communities.

The specific charges against McDonald allege she misrepresented that she had no connection to either foundation.

At a hearing in November 2020, prosecutors appearing before the chief magistrate signalled the DPP’s intent to go straight to indictment for the matter, which should have been filed by January 2021.

At the 2020 hearing, the court was told statements had all been sworn to and there were some 22 witnesses, but that number was likely to rise before the eventual start of the case.

The offences are alleged to have occurred between 2008 and 2009, but the police investigation only began in 2016.

After she was charged, McDonald was removed as Public Administration Minister and a deputy political leader of the PNM. She was also Port of Spain South MP, but was not screened for the constituency for the 2020 general election.

McDonald and Carew are represented by Senior Counsel Pamela Elder and Russell Warner.

Ian Brooks is representing Zephyrine. Anthony is being represented by Larry Williams and McEachrane by Kenya Murray.

Sgt Cornelius Samuel of the Fraud Squad charged the group.

When she was charged, McDonald was granted $2 million bail. Carew was previously granted $500,000 bail; Zephyrine $1 million; Anthony $100,000; and McEachrane $400,000.

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TTUTA Tobago officer: Some schools still being repaired

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

TTUTA Tobago officer Bradon Roberts. –

TTUTA Tobago officer Bradon Roberts has described it as “disheartening” that some schools are still undergoing repairs ahead of the opening of the new school on Monday.

While he did not have an exact figure for the schools that are still being repaired, Roberts said he learnt workmen were mixing mortar on the premises of two schools on Thursday.

“I spoke to teachers from two different schools and they told me that workmen mixing cement,” he told Newsday.

Roberts said from his observation, “Repairs at some schools started this weekend. Work is still ongoing and that is very disheartening.”

He said Secretary in the Division of Education, Research and Technology Zorisha Hackett, a former teacher, must do better.

The division’s assistant secretary, Orlando Kerr, is also a former teacher and TTUTA Tobago officer.

“It is not like if it is an average man from the street running the division, it’s teachers. And…if they were in the classroom today, they would have been at me for not representing them. “But you are at the helm now. How could repairs be still ongoing at some schools?”

Roberts said some schools have never been fixed properly over the years “because they were poorly monitored. When you do not have enough people monitoring what the contractors are doing, it is likely that you are going to get shoddy work.

“So this rushed thing that they are doing – look, today is Thursday and you are now going to mix cement to rush through here for Monday morning. It is amazing.”

He said teachers and students need a comfortable environment to work on Monday.

Roberts also said some schools do not have adequate furniture.

“That remains a significant issue.”

He said TTUTA “will not be standing up for such” and intends to monitor the issues affecting schools and students very closely.

Contacted on Thursday, Education Secretary Zorisha Hackett said the division would host a news conference on Friday

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CPL Women’s T20: Rain ends play as TKR vs Warriors is abandoned

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana
BASSETERRE, SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS – SEPTEMBER 01: Covers on the field as rain stop play during the Women’s 2022 Hero Caribbean Premier League match 2 between Trinbago Knight Riders and Guyana Amazon Warriors at Warner Park Sporting Complex on September 1, 2022 in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis. (Photo by Randy Brooks – CPL T20/CPL T20 via Getty Images)

Trinbago Knight Riders and Guyana Amazon Warriors women endured an agonising no result as rain washed out their Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) game in Basseterre.

BASSETERRE, SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS – Stafanie Taylor (R) of Guyana Amazon Warriors toss the coin as Deandra Dottin (C) of Trinbago Knight Riders and match referee Michael Ragoonath (L) look on during the Women’s 2022 Hero Caribbean Premier League match 2 between Trinbago Knight Riders and Guyana Amazon Warriors at Warner Park Sporting Complex on September 1, 2022 in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis. (Photo by Randy Brooks – CPL T20/CPL T20 via Getty Images)

After a delayed start, the Knight Riders were put into bat but struggled to form significant partnerships and could only post 105 from their 20 overs thanks to a late unbeaten 25 off 25 from Hayley Jensen.

Cherry-Ann Fraser was the pick of the Warriors’ bowlers taking 3/21 from her four overs while Shamilia Connell was economical taking 1/10 from hers.

The Warriors were frustrated by the rain as Rashada Williams and Chamari Athapathtu came out to chase and, after two overs, the rain set in and the match was abandoned with the Warriors 13/0.

This result means the points are shared between the two teams so the Trinbago Knight Riders, who defeated the Barbados Royals yesterday, now sit on three points and the Warriors, who have a game against the Royals in hand, have just one.

The final group game between the Barbados Royals and The Guyana Amazon Warriors will take place on Saturday as the teams seek to qualify for Sunday’s final. (CPL)

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Eyewitness: Passing…of Gorbachev

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana

Fame’s really fleeting, isn’t it?? Unlike notoriety – think Hitler!! Your Eyewitness just saw the news that Gorbachev’s gone. And yes…he can just hear some of you young’uns mutter quizzically, “Who’s Gorbachev??” And that’s the point, ain’t it?? Here’s the man who ended the Cold War between the USSR and the USA – which had made the entire Third World become grass to be trampled when the two superpowers duked it out through proxies!!Like little, dinky Guyana, where PPP Governments were overthrown in 1953 and 1964 because Jagan had this fixation with the USSR he just couldn’t shake!! So, we had Nkrumah, Lumumba and a host of African leaders overthrown – mostly by assassination – with their countries being plunged into turmoil and bloodshed that took millions of lives.

The Korean War?? The Vietnam War?? The Afghanistan War?? The Central American Wars?? You get the point, don’t you??So, when Gorbachev assumed the USSR’s leadership in 1985 and decided to introduce “openness” – Glasnost – and “reorganisation/reforming” Perestroika in a country that’d been ruled as the paradigmatic communist centralised state since 1917, you can imagine how the world became roiled!! Gorbachev figured that his economic and political systems just weren’t working, and needed some opening up. But it was like opening up a valve in a system that’d been pressurised for decades. It just exploded!!

He made peace with the US under Reagan by signing a nuclear treaty; agreed for the unification of Germany in 1989 with the tearing down of the Berlin Wall; let all its satellites, like Poland, Romania, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Albania, do their thing; and, most critically, allowed its fifteen “Soviets” – like Ukraine – to become independent!! Democratic elections were introduced, along with a capitalist ownership of factories etc. Imagine the confusion when all of this is happening within a few years. The standard of living plunged, and Gorbachev had to step down by 1991. There was even a coup attempt!!

Here, in Guyana, Cheddi Jagan, who’d been insisting up to the late eighties that “communism had capitalism on the run”, was distraught!! USSR’s fall had to’ve been a bitter pill to swallow!! But with the USSR gone, the US decided to pressure Hoyte’s PNC to accept free and fair elections. Cheddi must’ve thought, “Behind every dark cloud…”Anyhow, strongmen like Putin saw Gorbachev as a naïve softie who destroyed the USSR – as part of Greater Russia’s bulwark against her enemies. The West’s backing of Ukraine would only strengthen that sorta thinking. And now you know why Gorbachev wasn’t honoured at home, even though he got a Nobel prize for nuclear treaties.But, he’s now gone – and along with him the hope that leaders would “do the right thing”.

…through militarily

Your Eyewitness was quite chuffed that US Army Lieutenant General Laura J. Richardson, the first female head of US Army Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) – dropped into Guyana for a visit. And without missing a beat, she put in a plug for females to be considered for all positions that the nation offers. But while we have a far way to go in this regard, the US’ way is even farther!! After all, she’s the first woman of SOUTHCOM, and the US still hasn’t elected a female president, now a female head of the Supreme Court!! And Richardson’s only been on the job since end of last year!!

But before everyone starts thinking that SOUTHCOM’s presence means a militarisation of our zone, let’s remember that its Budget for 2021 was US$200M while the Dept of Defence’s total budget was US$703.7 billion. Which means that USSOUTHCOM’s budget is approximately 0.00028% of the total DOD budget for FY 2021!!Anyhow, they’re more focused on drug interception, and seized more than US$1.3 billion in 2021!!

…on corruption

Well, you could’ve knocked your Eyewitness over with the proverbial feather!! Imagine the Private Sector head saying: “No country can afford to allow corruption to take root in society, not in the Public or Private Sector”.Well!!!

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