1. The basic fact of the historical relationship of the Police and Army and Public Service vis-à-vis the PPP is long-standing and tenuous.
2. The Army and the Police could easily be convinced not to perform duties in accordance with their duty-bound impartial and professional behavior. History has shown this in the past and the their voting in the 1997 elections leaves no ambiguity of their support. Remember also that Desmond Hoyte was referring to them as his “kith and kin”.
3. Recall also that the Trade Unions Council (TUC) which had official observer status at the Election Commission made no statement on the elections, the protests and violence. However, when the PNC leaders became vehement in their cry of “rigging and fraud”, demanding new elections, the TUC echoed their call. Several things were happening simultaneously. The heat was building up and the developments in Georgetown was deteriorating. Hoyte had publicly declared that he would make the nation “ungovernable”. The PPP is a very disciplined Party, structured, with a central body and many field operatives in Party Groups. The PPP did what was the best alternative in the circumstance – to welcome the Audit and the CARICOM Team, and later to agree to the Herdmanston Accord.

The PPP did a superb and magnanimous job in restraining, constraining and containing its rank and file supporters – not to respond to the aggravated violence, knowing full well of the possibility of escalation.

Consider the following:

1. The protest marches, the mood and the violent nature were getting volatile.
2. Rationality was losing ground. People were indoctrinated by the PNC leaders. They were beginning to accept the misinformation. Some were openly vulgar and racists in their remarks, and they were enjoying the 'holiday'.
3. In addition, criminal elements were taking advantage of the setting to rob and loot.

In such a volatile scenario, ripe with the potential for almost any possibility, the PPP did the right thing. It took only one more straw to break the camel's back. Similarly, one more incident might easily have worn thin the tolerance and patience of some, and some one (there are many) who “could not take it any more”, could have reacted, followed by a series of counter reactions, until there was a full scale racial war throughout the land. This is not far removed from reality. It is happening in many parts of the world today. Remember the 1960's! Do Guyanese want this kind of violence? Then who would “kith and kin” support and protect?

Such was the potential for an escalation of racial violence and widespread conflicts. Thus the PPP acted in a mature and responsible manner, pragmatically responding to a predicament in order to reduce tensions and prevent what could possibly have been a blood bath. The PPP subsumed pride and gained honor. The PPP exhibited great statesmanship, recognizing as it always has, the sanctity of life, and knowing that the moral character of government is to instruct, construct and heal. The alternative or a show of bravado could have been disastrous and unimaginable. This is what the critics must also understand.

Why did the PPP not do something to safeguard and solidify its government and people during the previous five years?

The racial imbalance in the disciplined forces and in the public service has a long history. However, it was never addressed at any government level despite the International Commission of Jurists' recommendation in the 1960's. The PNC did nothing.

Dr. Cheddi Jagan and his government did nothing in this regard. Instead, real bread and butter issues were tackled. The nation had to be rebuilt. Infrastructural development was paramount. The economy had to be overhauled. Recall the ruins under the PNC! It is argued that as the economy got better and better, people enjoy better standard of living. They are happier with less to complain about. Thus people would see things in economic terms rather than in racial terms.

The Guyanese nation unfortunately has not yet matured; many are deliberate in the acts of creating disorder. The leadership of PNC especially are guilty of doing this. They have already ruined the country in the past. Their history shows that they are not caring – about the country or the people. They are thinking selfishly about their own pockets. Now, they have nothing to lose in causing problems so as to return to their glory days.

Face the facts and recognize that solving the 'imbalances' is a herculean task. Nowadays, everybody has an answer for this. Face the facts and recognize that the Police, Army and Public Service, because of the present status quo, can topple a PPP government anytime by extraordinary methods.

What must be done?

1. The question of the imbalance must be addressed sine mora, by setting up a task force or commission.
2. There must be continued economic development. This will eventually shift the issues and problems from a race basis to one of class when people will see for themselves their relationships within the society at large.
3. The government and people should protect and guard democracy at all cost. Links should be buttressed with CARICOM, OAS, the US, and other freedom loving and democratic states to enlist their support in the protection of democracy.
4. The race problems in Guyana cannot be skimmed and must be faced frontally with open-mindedness, generosity of spirit – genuine and caring. The nation needs healing. The Mandela formula of Truth and Reconciliation, headed by Bishop Tutu should be carefully studied and possibly adopted – to obtain restorative justice rather than retributive justice. Maybe extend an invitation to Bishop Tutu.
5. Finally but not exhaustively, get the Race Relation Board moving full speed.