APNU member speaks about Kissoon/Clarke issue; Throws support behind Granger

Dear Editor,

David celebrated his birthday onTuesday the 15^th ofJuly, 2014 and I pray him every good prayer. The People’s National Congress Reform, which he shepherds, is a party that has had days of glory and ignominy. Undoubtedly the tenure of David has brought back those days where members of the party can hold their heads aloft with pride and dignity; whilst rift and rancor, indiscipline and irresponsibility are at ebb.

However, whilst David has pushed for greater organization, participation,and mobilization and modernization (eg picture Identification Party Cards)a miniscule some label this as militarization. Whilst David has ensured that the proper channels and organisms (Party Groups, Regional Committees, General Council, Central Executive Biennial Congress) were restored as the bastion of our Party’s Democracy instead of one man rule or paramountcy of the Leader he is considered by this miniscule few as elitist and standoffish.

There have been more walkabouts, community meetings and outreaches, fundraisers than ever in the recent past. Our relationship with our APNU partners and the AFC augurs well for government of inclusivity in the near future.

The future for our women and youth bodes well as their leaders are tasked to initiate programs that cater for involvement and growth and their efforts are scrutinized by the Central Executive at every central executive meeting.

Our North American Region is more committed in their participation by brining set skills and financial resources to the PNCR. We are a party on the move.

Under his stewardship the PNCR carries the banner of the flagship APNU and from Mabaruma to Lethem the APNU remain the only viable challenger to the PPPC, who for all intents and purposes are enjoying their final days in office.

I should make it categorically clear that I am not a Member of Parliament because of David; therefore I do not support him because of an opportunity to serve as was reported in some sections of the press, viz., Guyana Times. I support him wholeheartedly because I believe in his leadership, integrity, intellect and his love for the people of Guyana and the People’s National Congress. He is not my boss, he is my brother.

Unlike his many critics I have had and took the opportunity to get to know the man David. Our many travels together, our many debates, gaffs, roastings (tantalize) made me see his heart and passion. Under his leadership rice and sugar farmers have found a home with the PNCR/APNU, miners, loggers, fishermen have found security within the bosom of the PNCR/APNU public servants and members of the disciplined forces are confident that with David Arthur Granger as president their lives and the lives of their families will be immediately improved. David is a man of the people he cuts across the racial divide better than any living Guyanese politician to date, even with the chorus of criticisms leveled against none has been that he favours one national group over the other.

Thus, when I read the manifold views that portray him other than what I see him as and I daresay the majority of members of the PNCR and Guyana as a whole sees, I find it fit to correct their vision.

I come now to the decision to suspend Ms. Vanessa Kissoon pending an inquiry which in my view is a correct one. The logic, that a person against whom a charge has been laid should continue in the substantive post he or she held when the allegation was made against them in some way, shape or form touches and concerns that post, is idiocy.

Ms. Kisson as far as I am aware was conducting party business for which interaction with the General Secretary was necessary. Its wisdom therefore to ensure that since the General Secretary is the day-to-day manager of the PNCR’s affairs is allowed to perform his functions impartially and without the likelihood of bias or prejudice accorded to Ms. Kissoon or the people of Linden.

If I may give another example, upon discovering an irregularity with the finances of your business and declaring you are investigating the cashier but yet allow the cashier to carry out their duties with the books and cash. If you were to suspend the cashier pending an inquiry there can be no breach of natural justice since an inquiry has been promised and you will have your say. A suspension pending an inquiry is not a determination of guilt.

One critic Mr. Bevon Currie has deemed this decision as unilateral and unacceptable. I shudder to think whether commonsense or some other sense guides his thinking. Teachers who have been accused of misdeeds are suspended pending the outcome of an inquiry. Some are interdicted without pay. Police are placed on close arrest so are soldiers pending the outcome of investigations, public servants also.

Just recently, I read of NCN suspending an employee pending the outcome of an inquiry. Notwithstanding this, the miniscule band criticizes a perfectly normal decision and brands it in the worst possible manner. For Mr. Currie’s information the Leader upon receiving a complaint from the General Secretary of actions against him personally has to act and act fast. His call for Ms. Kissoon was therefore lawful as it was placed into his bosom for a determination.

Another critic who weighed in was Mr. Clinton Urling. He was of the view that “I (Urling) am not surprised that she was suspended pending the outcome of the investigation, while the other party to the dispute has not been sanctioned”

Mr. Urling has done himself and readers a great disservice by not checking to see whether an official complaint was made by Ms. Kissoon against Mr. Clarke to David Granger, Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform. I can tell you there was no official complaint to the Leader. I daresay that both parties would have had the time and opportunity to so do. Does Mr. Urling expect the leader to suspend Mr. Clarke when there is no charge against him?

As all of Guyana knows, the Party’s Biennial Congress is a mere 12 days away and David will be challenged by persons who all have the right of challenge and I wish them the best. I know for a fact that there are wolves in sheep clothing who do not have the best interest of the party at heart; who are stirring up dissent and those who are using the Kissoon affair to their own selfish ends.

I would not comment on the Kissoon/Clarke matter since I believe it is sub judice but I will say this much, our party can ill afford disunity, strife and warmongering especially over an issue that an apology can bring to an end. We have been in those dark days and I do not wish for a return. We the PNCR have been the shining light in terms of democracy. We are about to embark on a new phase of primaries to select our leaders and are poised for national office. Let good sense prevail, I have so advised.

Yours in Guyana’s service,

James A. Bond, MP.