Strong Condemnation and a helpful climate needed

Posted June 30th. 2004 - by Eusi Kwayana.

Can it be true that Mr. George Bacchus has been executed?

I have just seen a statement by the PNC/R and one by the PPP/C responding to it. The PNC/R regards Mr. George Bacchus's killing as a political crime by its political counterpart as a cover up for guilt in the criminal charges made by Bacchus against a Minister, namely that that he was criminally concerned in its operations.

The PPP/C is offended by this charge as it was by Bacchus's original disclosures. It does not accuse the PNC/R of involvement in the killing. The first response of a logical person is that the death squad, under its particular leadership, alleged to be within the PPP/C can be responsible for silencing Bacchus. For the PPP a motive can be found easily, but a motive is not the same as proven guilt. Only hardheaded expert investigation producing suspects for a judge and jury, and not for the cemetery, can prove guilt.

The PPP/C accuses the Leader of the Opposition with failing to present the affidavit in his possession to the police until after the violent death of Mr. Bacchus. It is also my impression that the PNC/R Leader had claimed to have Mr. Bacchus's first affidavit. I have wondered why a new reform Commissioner of Police had been kept so long without this document so vital to a criminal investigation of the highest importance. The Commissioner had said, during Bacchus's lifetime, that he had no evidence. Now it is too late to question Mr. Bacchus and get leads to the evidence to support his allegations. I had thought that those in possession of it should hand it over to the responsible authorities. Guyanese should remember one thing I think I learned in the courts. If you charge a number of suspects jointly, the confession of one does not apply in the case against the others. The lawyers can explain it better. I learned this during the kick down the door period.

The best thing the people can do, and this should unite all people who are not playing a game is to demand immediate and ceaseless, ongoing investigation, with suspects. Strong condemnation of the dirty and obstructive act is in order. Regular sustained monitoring of the law enforcement agencies, on what they do assistance to the investigators when it is safe to do so, reasoned commentary on what is said and claimed, these seem to be what can be most helpful. I will suspect any attempt to disturb the peace to be aiding and abetting the offence. It will remove concentrated attention and active commentary on the investigation.

Can the police recall the dead for investigations leading to conviction of the living? A party, which frees itself of parliamentary duties, ought to have more time to avoid bungling. Those who claimed to have the evidence all along must now show respect for the public by explaining why they kept it to themselves like souvenirs, without acting on it. I am sorry if this hurts any genuine person, but with less to go on some of us have filed private prosecutions and found lawyers willing to help. Another concern of mine is the market in mercenaries, which developed after 2001. Gunmen seem to move from master to master. For many hopeless and disappointed men the real Leader is Money.

On the question of the two interviews, which Mr. Bacchus gave to the media, there is confusing disagreement, which leaves me and others puzzling over the truth. Was Mr. Bacchus offered a bribe? If he withdrew his statement, did he inform the embassy or embassies which had given him a hearing? Is it true that Mr. Bacchus was due to appear in court a day after his death in a preliminary enquiry? If he was not approached, what sparked the interviews? If he was offered money, who offered it? This is a very vital issue as it can give some leads to investigators. George Bacchus was not a person of the role or stature of Walter Rodney, who was a key to an enlightened future. Bacchus was the key figure in a justice issue of the highest importance in the defining of where we are. The removal of witnesses is an extreme measure. Those who move to this point, whoever they are, have given up on justice. When belief in justice goes, what is left?