Former security heads' APNU ties disturb gov't
Written by Kwesi Isles
Wednesday, 16 November 2011 13:27
The Guyana government has expressed disquiet with the addition of retired Brigadier Edward Collins and former police commissioner Winston Felix to the APNU ranks which is headed by retired brigadier David Granger.
Chief government spokesman Dr. Roger Luncheon voiced the administration’s concerns about the implications for national security on Wednesday at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing.
"The choice of the military officer, now be it retired, as the presidential candidate for the then PNCR and now for the APNU, was originally described as insensitive. What is infinitely more disturbing is the open involvement of the two most recent heads of services, Brigadier Collins, of the Guyana Defence Force and ex-Commissioner Felix of the Guyana Police Force, both retirees within the 2006-2011 term of office of this administration,” Dr. Luncheon stated.
He added that in the discharge of their responsibilities in the security arena those gentlemen would have had “the most intimate contacts” with government business, officials and even the president.
“Their open involvement with political parties so soon after their retirement, apart from being unusual, is disquieting and can even be considered to be dangerous. The fact that they both have joined forces with political opposition parties, must be of grave concern to those who are responsible for national security, particularly where it concerns access to information and potential disclosure,” the government spokesman said.
The likely consequence, he added, are serious enough for “sane minds” to focus now and in the future on restrictions and even prevention of such a recurrence.
Collins served as GDF Chief-of-Staff from 2004 to 2007 while Felix held the Commissioner post from 2004 to 2006.
The latter is on the APNU's List of Candidates and has been vocal in his support while Collins has been a visible Granger supporter on the opposition coalition's campaign trail.
THE PPP WILL DO ANYTHING TO CREATE FEAR IN THE INDIAN POPULATION. IF THESE MEN WANT TO DO ANYTHING THAT CONCERNS THE PPP GOVERNMENT. AS PRIVATE CITIZENS, THEY DONT HAVE TO JOIN A POLITICAL PARTY TO DO SO. THE PPP IS JUST PARANOID AND THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT RACIST.
Written by Kwesi Isles
Wednesday, 16 November 2011 13:27
The Guyana government has expressed disquiet with the addition of retired Brigadier Edward Collins and former police commissioner Winston Felix to the APNU ranks which is headed by retired brigadier David Granger.
Chief government spokesman Dr. Roger Luncheon voiced the administration’s concerns about the implications for national security on Wednesday at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing.
"The choice of the military officer, now be it retired, as the presidential candidate for the then PNCR and now for the APNU, was originally described as insensitive. What is infinitely more disturbing is the open involvement of the two most recent heads of services, Brigadier Collins, of the Guyana Defence Force and ex-Commissioner Felix of the Guyana Police Force, both retirees within the 2006-2011 term of office of this administration,” Dr. Luncheon stated.
He added that in the discharge of their responsibilities in the security arena those gentlemen would have had “the most intimate contacts” with government business, officials and even the president.
“Their open involvement with political parties so soon after their retirement, apart from being unusual, is disquieting and can even be considered to be dangerous. The fact that they both have joined forces with political opposition parties, must be of grave concern to those who are responsible for national security, particularly where it concerns access to information and potential disclosure,” the government spokesman said.
The likely consequence, he added, are serious enough for “sane minds” to focus now and in the future on restrictions and even prevention of such a recurrence.
Collins served as GDF Chief-of-Staff from 2004 to 2007 while Felix held the Commissioner post from 2004 to 2006.
The latter is on the APNU's List of Candidates and has been vocal in his support while Collins has been a visible Granger supporter on the opposition coalition's campaign trail.
THE PPP WILL DO ANYTHING TO CREATE FEAR IN THE INDIAN POPULATION. IF THESE MEN WANT TO DO ANYTHING THAT CONCERNS THE PPP GOVERNMENT. AS PRIVATE CITIZENS, THEY DONT HAVE TO JOIN A POLITICAL PARTY TO DO SO. THE PPP IS JUST PARANOID AND THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT RACIST.