Big and bad…
May 31, 2015 By
…Green honoured To say that some (older) eyes popped after Hamilton Green was awarded this nation’s second highest award – the Order of Roraima – would be the understatement of the year. But with the “youth cohort” demographic looming so large nowadays, they need to be informed as to who’s Hamilton Green. Besides converting Georgetown from the “Garden City of the Caribbean” to the “Garbage City of the Caribbean”. Hamilton Green first came to attention during the 1960s’ CIA-fostered ethnic riots. In the (in)famous September 11, 1963 report by the Supt of Police Paul Brittion, Assistant Commissioner of Crime on the PNC, it was stated: “I have investigated 19 reports of crimes which occurred between the 8th June, 1963 and 21st July, 1963 which include placing explosives to building, destroying building with explosives and arson. “I am of the opinion that there is evidence to support a charge of conspiracy, contrary to Section 34 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Ordinance, Chapter 10. The following persons are involved in the crime” (Hamilton Green was among those named). One detail of the report states: “May 1963: … and Green decide at meeting to use explosives on all government buildings; viz Georgetown Ferry Stelling, Government Produce Depot (GMC), and Rice Marketing Board.” We know there was an attempt to bomb the RMB but the sticks of dynamite under the wharf were discovered. Fast forward through the next two decades when Green became the official “enforcer” even while he was heading several Ministries and even became Prime Minister. He was the hatchet man who blocked Dr Walter Rodney’s appointment at UG and who later tried to explain away Fr Darke’s murder by an operative of the House of Israel. But even Burnham became worried about his ambitious “strongman” who began to strut around and act as if he were the Kabaka’s successor. In August 1984, Burnham removed him as First Vice President and Prime Minister – and replaced him with Desmond Hoyte. The latter, of course, became President after Burnham passed away the following year. He made Green PM but peripheralised him as he brought in new faces in an attempt to change the PNC’s thuggish image. Green violently apposed Hoyte relinquishing power after the 1992 elections and was expelled from the PNC. Whereupon he formed the GGG party, won the elections as Mayor of Georgetown – and proceeded to run down the City as he’s done to everything else he headed. And for all the foregoing, he received the Order of Roraima. Your Eyewitness understands several recipients of the award are planning on returning their medals.
…Minister follows the “Green Way” As recounted in the book, “Dangerous Times”, back in 1979 when Hamilton Green was Minister of Labour and Health, he was on a tour at a work place. He accosted the wife of Moses Bhagwan who was working there. Referring to the fire that destroyed Congress Place (blamed on the WPA) he told her supervisor, “She is a threat to this place. Get rid of her.” Fortunately the head of the company said that he was the administrator and the Minister couldn’t fire her. Well, with that sort of high-handed behaviour deemed worthy enough to earn an Order of Roraima, it’s already spawned imitators.
