Jagdeo closed army’s investigative unit for fear of arrests of Govt. officials – ex-soldier
Attacks by former President Bharrat Jagdeo and his People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) against ex-soldiers will only serve to unify them to vote for the Opposition, said a retired Lieutenant Colonel.
Bharrat Jagdeo
In a letter to the editor, Lieutenant Colonel (retired), George Gomes, a principal in Kalibur Investigative and Security Services, was harsh in his criticisms of Jagdeo. He accused Jagdeo of closing a critical investigating section of the army which was tasked with investigating the persons behind the crime wave of the 2000s. He said that the former President has stated that the alliance between the coalition and former military personnel is something to be feared. Specifically, he noted the statements by Jagdeo suggesting that the presence of the retired soldiers in a coalition-led Government will see the kicking down of doors of citizens. “These statements are an attempt to demonise both serving and former members of the Joint Services. Does he expect them to support his party after such despicable utterances? “I trust that those to whom he has referred, have noted these statements and Jagdeo’s attempt to disgrace our most noble profession. I urge them to act and vote appropriately.” According to Gomes, he has also noted Jagdeo’s utterances at a recent Freedom House press conference that the army may have deliberately decided not to go after the criminals during the crime wave of the 2000’s. The former soldier said that as a result of the crime wave, the Guyana Defense Force established what
Lieutenant Colonel (retired), George Gomes
was called the Military Criminal Investigation Department (MCID). “The aim of this department was not only to go after the known criminal elements, but also to pursue the architects of the crime wave. “Jagdeo ordered the closure of the MCID, thus bringing to an end the process that would have ended the criminal activities. Jagdeo’s major fear was that this department, apart from exposing the criminal architects, may have also led to the arrest of senior Government functionaries.” Gomes said that the governing party’s attack on the military and veterans community has served to unify all joint services veterans to support the coalition. “That a Commander-in-Chief and a former Commander-in Chief have set out to demonise their country’s military is a clear indication of the depths to which the nation has descended. “The coalition offers us the hope of rescue. Let’s throw our support behind David and Moses.” Gomes was referring to Brigadier (Rtd) David Granger who is the President Candidate and Moses Nagamootoo, the Prime Ministerial Candidate of the A Partnership For National Unity/Alliance For Change (AFC). At least two former army chiefs, Rear Admiral (Rtd) Gary Best, and Brigadier (Rtd) Edward Collins have jointed with the ex-soldiers association in support of the Opposition coalition. The move has also worried the PPP/C.