Georgetown: Former President Donald Ramotar has bemoaned the present Administration’s decision to end the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) established to investigate the death of renowned Guyanese historian and leader of the Working People Alliance (WPA), Dr Walter Rodney.
Ramotar condemned the action of the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government to truncate the life of this Commission as he explained that the decision made to establish the CoI was not inspired by any political motive.
The former President said it was his desire to shed light on “one of the darkest and most controversial events” in Guyana’s post-independence history and political landscape, as well as assist the family and relatives of Dr Rodney in bringing closure to such a traumatic incident.
In a press release Tuesday, the former President stated that while the CoI was an expensive undertaking, it was definitely a justifiable one where all monies spent could be accounted for and were approved by the National Assembly except for a brief period when Parliament was prorogued and then dissolved.
“Indeed, it is no secret that Guyanese both in Guyana and those living in all parts of the world have, for years, called for a credible Commission of Inquiry into the death of one of Guyana’s most brilliant sons. This death has been a scar against the international reputation of our country. It is public knowledge that the Commission of Inquiry and the evidence adduced have attracted national and international attention and there is a great expectation that the Commissioners’ final report will answer many of the questions which have hung like a dark cloud over the death of Dr Rodney,” said Ramotar.
It was noted that for these reasons that the then People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government had commissioned a book to be written and a television documentary to be done on the Inquiry.
According to the former President, he takes “strong umbrage” to the decision of the APNU+AFC Government to end the life of the Commission.
“I have no doubt that the Commissioners needed just a few weeks more to complete their tasks in a professional way. It simply makes no sense to bring the Commission to such an abrupt end to save a few dollars when hundreds of millions have been spent already and the Commission’s report will most likely be affected by the failure of the Commission to receive evidence from important witnesses who are yet to testify and from those who have testified already and who are to complete their testimony,” the press statement read.
Ramotar went on to say that he was aware that persons whose names have been called by witnesses in significant ways were to be invited by the Commission to make a contribution.
“These persons would have included former leader of the [People’s National Congress] PNC, Mr Robert Corbin. Evidence from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has been tendered before the Commission to the effect that Mr Corbin obtained from the Force over 150 machine guns. At that time, he was at the Ministry of National Mobilisation.”
It was further noted that the said guns have reached the hands of bandits.
“The PNC itself may have been invited and offered an opportunity to defend itself against some very damaging allegations. With the Commission now to be abruptly aborted, none of this will take place. I am, therefore, forced to wonder whether the decision to bring the life of the Commission to an abrupt end is one that is intended to avoid these witnesses from giving evidence and face cross-examination,” Ramotar said.
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