Roopnarine is a traitor to the WPA’s cause
THE evidence, even after a 33 years lapse, are overwhelmingly clear and conclusive that the PNC under the late dictator, L.F.S Burnham assassinated the world renowned historian Dr. Walter Rodney and came as no surprise to all Guyanese who have lived in those times but what is most revealing, disappointing, embarrassing and came quite as a surprise, is the claim made by Dr. Rupert Roopnarine in an effort to justify the killing of his leader and friend.
The volumes of evidence substantiated the fact that Dr. Rodney was a real threat and that the Black Guyanese were increasingly embracing him. Burnham then knew that he could no longer fuel the fear of Indian dominance and that he had failed miserably to deliver on his many promises to give ‘free milk and cassava’, to ‘feed clothe and house the nation’ and instead they had to ‘eat less, sleep less and work harder.’ Rodney provided the way out therefore Burnham had to ensure his removal from the political arena.
The burning questions are: Did Rodney intend to overthrow the Burnham through an armed struggle? Should Roopnarine be believed when he claimed that the WPA was amassing arms and ammunition at that time for that purpose?
We need to understand that Burnham had paid spies all over and each and every move by his political opponents was closely monitored. The Commission of Inquiry provided ample evidence that the Guyana Police Force, The Guyana Defence Force, the People’s Militia, the House of Israel, the Guyana National Service and the Guyana Young Socialist Movement were all involved in spying and intimidation and spreading of violence so how come this amassing of arms and ammunition went undetected?
WPA member, Tacuma Ogunseye provided the logical answer when he said that the acquisition of arms was mainly for the security of its members as a result of the threats made by Burnham. The acquisition was not on a large scale and the use of the word ‘stockpiling’ brings to mind the ‘stockpiling of weapons of mass destruction’ by Saddam Hussain! He justified this position by pointing out that two WPA members Ohene Koama and Edward Dublin were murdered by the Police Death Squad during that time. This had led to the formation of the Security Committee. He concluded that an armed struggle was not feasible and as a world class historian Rodney knew this. He further pointed out that the WPA had no funds to acquire arms and ammunitions on a large scale, they had no contact with arms suppliers and that they had no close relationship with any neighbouring governments.
Then the co-founder of the WPA, Eusi Kwayana supplied another hard fact to refute the ‘armed struggle’ theory. He said that the WPA ‘never sought power… but was more interested in resolving racial issues and upgrading Guyana’s politics. He also claimed that the ‘walkie talkie’ was for communication purpose since there was a lack of telephone services. It was not to be used in an armed revolution. He confirmed that the ‘walkie talkie’ was even in the same frequency as the Security Forces. He further stated that, ‘Rodney had no propensity for violence.’ Dr. Rodney and four other WPA members were already charged for arson of government property would it not have been more politically prudent on the part of the PNC to charge him for treason since the WPA was ‘stockpiling arms and ammunitions’ rather than to assassinate him? Therefore, the pertinent question is: Is Dr. Rupert Roopnarine the only one who can substantiate such a preposterous yet oprotunistic allegation?
Moreover, what exactly did Roopnarine mean when he said that ‘nothing will come out that is not already known to both parties’? The only plausible interpretation based on the volumes of evidence given at the Rodney CoI is that it would be pointless to repeat the fact that the PNC regime is wholly and solely responsible for the gruesome assignation of Dr. Walter Rodney on June 13, 1980 and that is the reason why such evidences ‘will not cause a rift between the WPA and the PNC.’ This barefaced and treacherous admission bears testimony to the obsessive political ambition of Roopnarine.
Not only has he proven to being a traitor to the WPA’s cause and to his leader but he has, through his lies, given the PNC the justification it so badly needs that they were ‘defending the State against a treasonable insurrection.’ In other words, Roopnarine is implicitly saying that Rodney wanted to get rid of Burnham so Burnham is justified in getting rid of him. The evidences are overwhelmingly against this wicked proposition. Roopnarine has found a new master as he is unable to charter a political course independently. How can this country trust a man like Roopnarine? This man is worse than the Biblical Judas!
Will AFC’s Ramjattan and Nagamootoo be giving evidence at this Inquiry?
I am wondering if the roles of the PPP and PNC were reversed, would the PNC have bypassed the holding of this CoI?
HASEEF YUSUF
AFC Councillor-Region 6
