GID GUYANA INSTITUTE FOR DEMOCRACY 2809 Church Avenue, 2nd Floor Brooklyn, NY 11226 Tel: 718-287-0059. Fax: 718-693-3346

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: In a statement dated September 18, 2003, and circulated in New York, Mr. Robert Persaud, Information Liaison to President Bharrat Jagdeo, leveled a vicious attack on the Guyana Institute for Democracy (GID) and me personally. Mr. Persaud's statement was in response to a letter by the undersigned that was published in the Stabroek News on September 17, 2003. My letter criticized President Jagdeo's proposal to amend the constitution to reform the appointment process of Service Commissions

Simultaneous with the publication of my letter, the editor of Stabroek News posted an editorial note claiming that the premise of my letter was inaccurate, and that the proposal to change the method of consultation (with the Parliamentary Opposition) on the appointment of service commissions was advanced by the Opposition Leader, Mr. Robert Corbin. Thus far, I have been unable to confirm the editor's contention with Mr. Robert Corbin. Should he later affirm this contention; I stand corrected, since I value credibility and accuracy. Notwithstanding this, the requirements of proficient governance, consensus building, strict adherence to core democratic values, as well my opinion that Guyana is virtually a failed State, which I articulated in my letter, remain the same.

I strongly chastise Mr. Robert Persaud for his characteristic rambunctiousness and his feral allegation that GID is conducting a "misinformation campaign." That is absolute bunk. Mr. Persaud's feeble attempt to discredit GID is for one reason - GID is actively engaged in the campaign for justice for Mark Benschop. Benschop is an innocent Guyanese-American journalist whom Mr. Persaud's government has jailed on trumped up treason charges. GID has been central in the fight for Benschop's freedom because:

(i)     The government has failed to produce one iota of evidence to establish that he committed or

attempted to commit treason, or that he conspired with anyone to do so.

(ii)     The charges against him are a subterfuge to the government's countless attempts to silence

him for his unrelenting investigative journalism, which has exposed embedded corruption and

racism in the upper echelons of the PPP government.

(iii)     There appears to have been a conspiracy between government officials, Prosecutor Sanjeev

Datadin and Magistrate Chandra Sohan, to perpetrate an act of "judicial lynching" in this case.

(iv)     The government seems to be orchestrating a plan to emasculate African journalists who criticize it.

Mr. Persaud's government has a penchant for maligning anyone who denounces its wrongdoings and myopic policies. Recently it unleashed a barrage of nasty attacks on World Bank Officials who, in the current country report on Guyana, referred to the PPP administration as "weak and unable to deal with embedded corruption." Apart from citing the regime for its unwillingness to deal with "embedded corruption," the World Bank declared that "Guyana is suffering from a crisis of governance," and that "nowhere is this crisis more evident than in the security and judicial systems..." as well as "the rule of law" which "have all collapsed." This analysis led government officials into a tirade. Hence, Mr. Persaud's bombastic comments are consistent with the PPP government's modus operandi.

In his zeal to lash-out at the leadership of GID as well as "correct" the record, Mr. Persaud in turn made several inaccurate and mendacious statements. He declared that I am "a leading light of the PNC/R in the Diaspora." While I am flattered by this reference, his statement is false. His contention that I am the former "Personal Assistant to President Desmond Hoyte is also wrong. I served as a Special Assistant in the Office of the President and later as Chief-of-Staff to the former President. Another falsehood is Mr. Persaud's foolish conclusion that I accused President Bharrat Jagdeo of engaging in a "sinister plot." No where in my letter was such a claim stated or implied.

The first paragraph of Mr. Robert Persaud's statement questioned whether GID is an "unholy creature," and stated "it is important at this time that we examine the credentials of the Guyana Institute for Democracy." Let me inform Mr. Persaud that GID is an organization of impeccable standing. Its mission is to "promote democratic governance, social justice and national development, and to foster a harmonious, open society in which the rule of law is supreme and the immutable human rights of all citizens are fully respected; and in which free speech, freedom of the press and freedom of association flourish as an integral facet of the political ethos. It is therefore no surprise that Guyana's Marxist government deems the endorsement and promulgation of these ideals to be "unholy." The governments focal policy appears to be the cultivation of a segregationist society, stifling free speech and jailing its critics.

In a futile attempt to debase GID, Robert Persaud deliberately "mocked" a particular member, and suggested that I "learn" from that member's missteps." While I appreciate his "wise" counsel, I find his comments lacking in civility and professional responsibility, but in harmony with the character of an "unholy creature." I was privileged to work for a Minister of Government as well as President Hoyte for most of my adult life in Guyana. During this tenure, my appreciation of the requirement of personal integrity and moral rectitude in public service was enhanced. These precepts have guided me ever since. But let me admonish Robert Persaud that "those who live in glass houses should not throw stones." Certainly Mr. Persaud himself can also learn from the "missteps" of the alleged three convicted criminals who now serve as Ministers of the government of Guyana.

I have known President Jagdeo for over fifteen years and consider him to be a decent person. I have always demonstrated utmost respect for him and have refrained from attacking him personally, although we were involved in opposing political campaigns in the past. I have, however, both commended and criticized him on various policy positions. Nonetheless, I will respond appropriately to any and all vitriolic attacks leveled at me by members of his government. If Mr. Persaud sheds his immaturities and insolence and acquire a level of sophistication that is commensurate with the position he holds, he would be of better service to the President and people of Guyana.

Rickford Burke

President