Middle East uprising
The government critics are decrying what they term "Jagdeo's Middle East" policy.
Stabroek News in particular has taken up that mantle.
The way this newspaper put forward its argument in a Sunday June 12, 2011 editorial the average reader would believe that the uproar in North Africa is either the fault of the PPP/C administration; or, due to those blood curdling uprisings, the Middle East policy of the PPP-C administration has been reduced to tatters.
It is not Jagdeo nor the PPP's fault, that the people in certain Arab states have risen up against their rulers. Neither is Jagdeo or his government blessed with psychic ability to have foreseen the uprisings. If any power could suffer serious consequences as a result of the so-called “Arab Spring”, it is the USA. The Americans supportered these dictatorial and oppressive regimes for decades out of self-interest and changes of government could also result in changes in political direction. So why berate Jagdeo?
Guyana’s approach to the Middle East, dates back to the Burnham era, with the oil crisis of the 1970s and the machinations of the still powerful OPEC cartel. Forbes Burnham wanted oil and investment funds. The Jagdeo Government is likewise interested in oil, oil prices and investors from Arabia. What’s wrong if a Head of State goes abroad to seek markets and sources of finance capital for his country? Every time President Jagdeo goes overseas, the doom sayers weep and gnash their teeth. Some weeks ago he brought back what will eventually be, a whole Hospital from India. He brought substantial debt write offs. He brought the Norway LCDS funds. All these the critics conveniently ignore.
Stabroek News in particular has taken up that mantle.
The way this newspaper put forward its argument in a Sunday June 12, 2011 editorial the average reader would believe that the uproar in North Africa is either the fault of the PPP/C administration; or, due to those blood curdling uprisings, the Middle East policy of the PPP-C administration has been reduced to tatters.
It is not Jagdeo nor the PPP's fault, that the people in certain Arab states have risen up against their rulers. Neither is Jagdeo or his government blessed with psychic ability to have foreseen the uprisings. If any power could suffer serious consequences as a result of the so-called “Arab Spring”, it is the USA. The Americans supportered these dictatorial and oppressive regimes for decades out of self-interest and changes of government could also result in changes in political direction. So why berate Jagdeo?
Guyana’s approach to the Middle East, dates back to the Burnham era, with the oil crisis of the 1970s and the machinations of the still powerful OPEC cartel. Forbes Burnham wanted oil and investment funds. The Jagdeo Government is likewise interested in oil, oil prices and investors from Arabia. What’s wrong if a Head of State goes abroad to seek markets and sources of finance capital for his country? Every time President Jagdeo goes overseas, the doom sayers weep and gnash their teeth. Some weeks ago he brought back what will eventually be, a whole Hospital from India. He brought substantial debt write offs. He brought the Norway LCDS funds. All these the critics conveniently ignore.
No comments:
Post a Comment