Stabroek News Independence Jubilee Supplement

Thursday May 26, 2016

Starters Nursery and St Margaret’s School celebrating the Independence Jubilee yesterday (Photo by Keno George) Page 2A STABROEK NEWS, Thursday, May 26, 2016 The nation of Guyana had to issue new stamps reflecting its status as an independent nation. Since it had many of the old British Guiana stamps in stock it resorted as a temporary measure to overprints. Coins and notes did not present the same problem, although some new notes, as will be seen below, were issued.

British Guiana stamps overprinted ‘Guyana Independence 1966’. One stamp in every block of 10 has an error overprint of ‘1966 Independence 1966’. (Photos courtesy of Fawaz Khan and Taffan Kerrett)

The first set of stamps issued when Guyana gained Independence First series one dollar note issued in 1966. It carries the names of Horst in 1966 (Photos courtesy of Bockelmann, the Governor of the Bank of Guyana, who was of German national- Fawaz Khan) ity, and Peter D’Aguiar, the Finance Minister. (Photo courtesy of Fawaz Khan)

British Guiana stamp with an British Guiana defini- error overprint tive issues with ‘Guyana ‘Guyana Independence 1966’ Independence overprint (Photos 1956’ instead British Guiana definitive issues with ‘Guyana Independence courtesy of Fawaz Khan) of ‘1966’ 1966) (Photos courtesy of Taffan Kerrett) Independence:STABROEK NEWS, Thursday, May 26, 2016 Page 3A A difficult road

The route to Independence was impeded by all man- ner of obstructions. It was Dr Cheddi Jagan who in the 1940s had initiated the call for independence, and in 1953 his party, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) which enjoyed support from the two major ethnic groups, came into office with a large majority under a system of universal suffrage. However, the new gov- ernment, which included Forbes Burnham in its com- plement, had barely got into its stride before the ner- vous British suspended the constitution because they perceived the PPP as having communist leanings. The unity which had characterized the PPP of 1953 was never to be replicated again, and eventually two quite distinct political entities were to emerge, the first the PPP, associated largely with the Indian segment of the population, and the other the Peoples’ National Congress (PNC), representative of mostly the Africans. Thereafter, the matter of independence became bound up with who, at a political level, should inherit the state. The Americans were determined that Dr Jagan, whom they saw as communist, should not take this country into independence, and the British, the colonial power, co-operated with them in this matter. As it was, US interference in the country’s politics played a role in the violence which broke out between 1962 and 1964. In 1957, the British government decided to restore a limited form of self-government, and Jagan won the The Duke of Kent, who represented the Queen at Independence salutes as the Union Jack is low- election which followed. Thereafter, a constitutional ered and the Golden Arrowhead is raised. (From left: Lady Luyt, Duchess of Kent, Prime conference was held, representing the first of the for- Minister Burnham and Governor-General Luyt) mal discussions about independence. It was chaired by Colonial Secretary Iain McLeod, and while Jagan led the PPP delegation, Forbes Burnham led the opposition PNC. There were also an independent and two nomi- nated members of the Legislative Council in atten- dance. Even at this stage, ideas about independence did not coincide; the PPP wanted independence in 1961, while Burnham wanted full internal self-government immediately and independence as part of the West Indian Federation. Jagan, it might be noted, had already refused to join the federation at the time of its formation in 1958 and said that the country could always join after independence. There were various other points of dispute, but where independence itself was concerned, McLeod did not accommodate Jagan’s position, and instead announced internal self-government on the basis of a new constitution which would come into effect in 1961. Owing to the disturbances, the next constitutional conference, this time chaired by Colonial Secretary Duncan Sandys, first had to be postponed, but eventu- ally took place in 1962. Burnham on this occasion pressed for independence, with the qualification that elections should be held first. He was supported in this by a new party in the mix – the United Force (UF) ‒ led by Peter D’Aguiar, whose delegation included Stephen Campbell, an Amerindian who argued for Amerindian land rights. Jagan’s position remained immediate independence, and he also disagreed with Burnham on the matter of the voting age and the nature of the electoral system. There was no bridging the gap between the two The famous hug: After the Guyana flag was raised for the first time Cheddi Jagan and Forbes sides, and the parties returned for the third conference Burnham – the architects of Independence – embraced. in 1963. Nothing had changed, but eventually all sides signed on to placing the decision in the hands of as it is known. The last constitutional conference was held in 1965, Sandys. The Colonial Secretary conceded everything While in the election which followed in 1964, the when Secretary of State Anthony Greenwood presided. to the opposition, and nothing to the government. PPP won a plurality of the votes, they did not secure an It settled technical matters such as the date of indepen- Before independence was granted, there was to be an overall majority, and it was Burnham’s PNC which dence. The PPP refused to attend because the state of election, and significantly, this election was to be held was slated to take the country into independence fol- emergency had not been lifted and some of its mem- not under the constituency system which then lowing the formation of a coalition between that party bers were still in jail as political prisoners, among other obtained, but under proportional representation, or PR, and the UF. things. Page 4A STABROEK NEWS, Thursday, May 26, 2016 Motto Guyana’s motto ‘One People One Nation One Destiny’ was approved by Brindley Benn in 1958 when the PPP was in office. The Pledge I pledge myself to honour always the Flag of Guyana, and to be loyal to my country, to be obedient to the laws of Guyana, to love my fellow citizens, and to dedicate my energies towards the happiness and prosperity of Guyana. National Anthem According to Vibert Cambridge (Musical Life in Guyana: History and Politics of Controlling Creativity, 2015), a special committee of the legislature invited submissions for the National Anthem in 1960. Although The PNC delegation to the 1962 Constitutional Conference at Lancaster House in London. Front left seat- there had been 212 entries, he writes, no decision had ed are Forbes Burnham, Neville Bissember Sr and W O R Kendall. Back row from left are advisors been made, so the matter was handed over to a National Claude Merriman, H M E Cholmondeley and Eugene Correia (partly hidden). British officials are stand- History and Arts Committee. That too produced noth- ing at left. (Photo courtesy of the Bissember family) ing. By 1965, a note of urgency had been injected into the process, and on the instructions of the then Minister of Education, Winifred Gaskin, it was passed to Lynette Dolphin of the National History and Arts Council. Cambridge writes that a new competition was held and a small committee of “persons of broad literary and poetic backgrounds” was appointed to choose the win- ning entry. Among the criteria which were laid down was one that the words should not “make undue refer- ences to ideology and political party slogans,” and should “avoid religious references.” On this occasion there were 266 entries, and these were pruned in stages until the winner was settled upon. This was Rev Archibald Leonard Luker, an English teacher at the New Amsterdam In-Service Teachers Training programme. Luker was, in fact, just responsible for the lyrics, and Cambridge reports Lynette Dolphin as recording that copies of these were sent to Guyanese musicians both locally and overseas. Following that, there were, it seems, more than 100 entries, and it was those by William H L ‘Bill’ Pilgrim, Robert Cyril Gladstone Potter and Valerie Rodway which came to form the short list. Cambridge goes on to quote Cleveland Hamilton for Cheddi Jagan (front right) turns to speak to Fenton Ramsahoye seated behind him. Front left is Ranji what happened next: Chandisingh and next to him, Chitlall, Jagan’s driver/bodyguard. Back row from left: Rudy Luck, Mrs Luck, Mrs Ramsahoye, Fenton Ramsahoye, a Mexican delegate and Eusi Kwayana. A ‘committee’ of one hundred persons representing schools, youth groups, religious groups and political parties was established, and the three submissions were recorded with Evelyn John (soprano), Stanley Ridley (baritone) Bishops’ High School Junior Choir and the Police Force Band. The ‘committee’ met at the Government Technical Institute and were given score sheets, although they were not told the names of the three composers. They chose RCG Potter’s submission.

The National Anthem Dear land of Guyana, of rivers and plains, Made rich by the sunshine, and lush by the rains. Set gem-like and fair, between mountains and sea, Your children salute you, dear land of the free.

Green land of Guyana, our heroes of yore, Both bondsmen and free, laid their bones on your shore. This soil so they hallowed, and from them are we, All sons of one mother, Guyana the free.

Great land of Guyana, diverse though our strains, We are born of their sacrifice, heirs of their pains. And ours is the glory their eyes did not see, One land of six peoples, united and free.

Dear land of Guyana, to you will we give, Our homage, our service, each day that we live. God guard you, Great Mother, and make us to be Independence conference, London, 1962 with Burnham centre and Neville Bissember at left. More worthy our heritage, land of the free. (Photo courtesy of the Bissember family) STABROEK NEWS, Thursday, May 26, 2016 Page 5A Remembering independence Organizing Independence Night A Soldier’s story- raising the flag Ulric Pilgrim (retired) was present done in Britain, except for jungle war- ing or some other catastrophe, should tant, and I was older than the others. when the Golden Arrowhead was hoist- fare in Malaysia. mar the proceedings. “Desmond Roberts raised the flag. ed for the first time, and he recalls both “I was Adjutant (a kind of staff officer “So the flag was tied and untied and Pope was in the line near the Prime the occasion itself, and the rehearsals to Lieutenant-Colonel Ronald Pope) at hoisted over and over and we were at it Minister watching the flag go up. Then which went into it. the time of Independence. night and day. There was the guard of we saluted the Golden Arrowhead for “We had rehearsals, and rehearsals honour and the persons were specifical- the first time. (Reprinted from the Sunday and dry runs. A lot was centred around ly selected for the pulling down of the “I think though, the person with the Stabroek, May 26, 1996) the symbolic raising of the flag and Union Jack and the hoisting of the better knowledge of what went on that Lieutenant-Colonel Pope was deter- Golden Arrowhead. The two soldiers night, seeing that I was standing staring “For a long while ahead of the night mined that everything would go well had to be six feet tall. I guess I was cho- at the flag praying that it would open of flag-raising in the National Park there and that nothing, like the flag not open- sen to be there also because I was adju- right, would be Carl Morgan.” was much preparation. If you look at photographs of the night of the Independence celebration you will see three officers attending to the raising of the flag. Two tall ones and a short one in the middle. I was the short one. “I was one of the three officers who trained in Britain, at the Mons training school in Aldershot, outside London, 1965. The other two were Ramesh who died (as an army Captain) in a car crash on the East Bank highway and the other was Carl Morgan. “When we returned soldiers Desmond Roberts, Assad Ishoof and Vibert Boodhoo went to be trained. We were in the Special Service unit, a paramilitary unit administered by the police. “I was already a Lieutenant in the Guyana Volunteer Force. That Force was sort of part-time and could be called out in times of need, like [in] the ugly days of ’62 and ’64. It was headed by C E De Freitas. We had lectures from British officers whenever they came and from World War Two veterans, periodi- cally. “The officers who went to Mons were chosen by the British through rigorous elimination from a field of 140 appli- cants. Actually all of my training was Mr Burnham and his team at the constitutional talks, 1962 (Photo courtesy of the Bissember family)

‘Again as with the emergent countries, one of the immediate problems is that of its boundaries. Neighbours usually lay ‘false’ claim to a new country’s land… Since we, too, shall be faced with this problem, we shall have an excellent opportunity for unity.” Excerpt taken from “What I Expect of Independence” by Margaret Yhap, student of St Roses’s High, Dr Cheddi Jagan in London for the constitutional talks, 1962 (Photo courtesy of the Bissember family) May 1966. Page 6A STABROEK NEWS, Thursday, May 26, 2016 Remembering independence

“The absolute truth is that I was not in the Park that [Ishoof] was one of five that had trained in night. Somebody had to man Ayanganna. That task fell Sandhurst. The others were Liverpool, Haydock West to me. I had to be content with being nearby and watch ‘I watched (whom part of Kimbia was named after), Hinds, the fireworks. Granger and now Chief-of-Staff Joe Singh. Isaac Jerry, “As I recall retired Colonel in the British Army, an Amerindian guide went with Thompson and Ishoof. Colonel Hereford was contracted to organize the I think they also took an army Signal. Independence celebrations. the fireworks’ “Vibert Boodhoo was assigned the ADC to the Duke “Second Lieutenant Desmond Roberts and Ulric of Kent. Pilgrim were to raise the Golden Arrowhead and “That night there was an official dinner at Second Lieutenant in the British Army James Jon - Carl Morgan (retired) Government House (where the President now lives, on Klass of Dutch percentage born in India, from the (Reprinted from the Sunday Stabroek, May 26, 1996) Main Street). That is evident because there were per- Middlesex regiment, was responsible for lowering the sons in mess uniform (short jackets and bow-ties). If Union Jack. I can’t wager for what happened to the “The fireworks were fantastic. A stand was built at you look at the photograph of Burnham saluting the British flag but there is a Union Jack in the Military the north of the ground so that when the lights went off flag, you’ll see what I mean. That night there was also Archives at Camp Ayanganna that is thought to be the it was displayed against the darkness. There was a the ‘embrace’ between Jagan and Burnham which was flag lowered that night. large crowd there even though I think only the stand to the talk of the town for a long time after. Sir Richard the east was constructed. The others were additions. Luyt was the Governor (It was only after Independence “There were two Guards of Honour, one from the “I recall that I was sad at not being at the National that they were referred to as Governor General). The GDF and the other from the British Army. The Royal Park and happy that Independence had arrived. I was royal party probably stayed at the Government House. Navy was here since there was a vessel in port and the also lonely. I did not see the flag go up. I read some Hotels were out of the question. The Queen herself Royal Marines. years after that we have a perfect flag and it has the dis- stayed at the Government House when she came in “The GDF soldiers were wearing ceremonial dress tinction of not being a flag that could be hung upside February of 1966. for the first time in the colours we still use. down as with other flags as a sign of distress. “After Independence Day the Duke and Duchess of “There was a choir, possibly the Woodside Choir, “An expedition with ethnobotanist and mountaineer Kent went to a special sitting of Parliament to hand the Police Band and baton-twirling ‒ this I think was Adrian Thompson and Second Lieutenant Ishoof went over the instruments of Independence to Burnham. done by recruits. to plant the flag at Ayanganna, Roraima. Their schedule was pretty hectic after that.” ‘Six weeks of sleepless days and nights’ Cicely Robinson recalls the mounting of the Independence Pageant of May 27 at Kelly Dam, and chasing her brother Frankie (the late Frank Pilgrim) and Arthur (the late Arthur Seymour) for the script. (Reprinted from the Participants in the pageant were drawn from the Sunday Stabroek, May 26, 1996) Bishops’ High School, Carnegie School of Home Economics, Central High, Charlestown Government ‘After 152 years of ‘Ours the Glory’ was the grand pageant which was Secondary, Christ Church Government Secondary, ‘spoon-feeding’ by the put on by the then National History and Arts Council East Ruimveldt Government Secondary, the Fredericks to welcome the birth of an Independent Guyana in School of Home Economics, the Government British Government, May, 30 years ago. Technical Institute, Indian Educational Trust College The task of coordinating the pageant in time for the (now Richard Ishmael Secondary) Queen’s College, St Guyana will now have day was placed on the shoulders of then Bishops’ High Joseph’s High, St Roses’s High, St Stanislaus College, to learn to stand on School teacher, Cicely Pilgrim Robinson, who had Tutorial High, the University of Guyana, members of exactly six weeks to get the show on stream, Robinson the Sea Scouts and the Theatre Guild Junior Workshop. its own feet and think told the Sunday Stabroek. Before rehearsals could begin ‒ in fact for there to for itself, make its Robinson, who was an active member of the Theatre be a pageant at all ‒ “there had to be a script.” She Guild Playhouse and who had performed in several sought out author and poet Arthur Seymour and her own decisions and theatrical roles told Sunday Stabroek that she had brother Frank Pilgrim. They agreed to do the scripting never mounted a pageant before and took it up as a although she said, “I had to be on their toes day and face the consequences. challenge. night” to get it completed quickly. According to her This is indeed the When she heard that Guyana was to gain its getting the script from the two was probably the hard- Independence, she felt “absolutely exhilarated and was est part. She said that whenever “Frank or Arthur saw true meaning of looking forward tremendously to Independence Day.” me coming they’d turn the corner and I would go the She did not think that she would have been playing other way to ensure I caught up with them. Frank Independence, and we such a big part, she said, until she was summoned by would the say, ‘Alright sis, Alright sis, soon, soon.’” will have the opportu- then Chief Education Officer Mr Thom to a meeting The Pageant was organized in episodes and the day which had been convened by the Ministry of Education itself she remembered as a “beautiful day, though we nity of running the to plan for the Independence celebrations. were into the rainy season.” “It was six weeks of sleepless days and nights,” she Episode One was called ‘The Amerindians’. She affairs of the country continued. “We worked as the work demanded.” The recalled that students of East Ruimveldt who played for our own interests Pageant, “which was quite a big event”, involved some the role of the indigenous peoples had been given the 1,041 participants with 200 people executing various task of collecting feathers of all descriptions. “They instead of being direct- functions. At no time did she entertain the thought that collected turkey feathers” she said, noting that their ed from Britain.’ the programme would flop, although now she express- costumes were “simply fantastic.” es amazement, “at the magnitude of the challenge that Episode Two was the ‘Court of Queen Elizabeth’ -Excerpt taken from I had accepted.” and it featured a discourse between Sir Walter Ralegh So many played important roles, she said, especially and Queen Elizabeth on a king they called El Dorado, “What I Expect of the choreographer Trinidadian Beryl McBurnie, “who the Gilded Man. Independence” by was invaluable, without whom, I do not know what we Episode Three was ‘Settlers and Slaves’ and Episode would have done,” and Arthur Seymour and Frank Four ‘The cockpit of Europe’. Episode Five was enti- Margaret Yhap, Pilgrim, who were the authors of the ‘Ours the Glory’ tled ‘Settlers and Citizens’ and Episode Six was ‘The script. She also added Phyllis Shepherd, who was the Immigrants’ followed by the ‘Finale.’ Student of St Roses’s Assistant Pageant Director, and Master of the Arena The essence of working on ‘Ours the Glory’ was High School, Lawrence Thompson to the list. Robinson said that she team spirit she said, hinting that much of that is lacking handpicked all the narrators with whom she had today. “The teachers working with us were seconded May 1966. worked previously, for the most part in the Theatre for the period”, she said. Guild. One of them was Rajkumarie Singh, whom she Apart from Frank and Arthur, who were very described as possessing “a beautiful resonant voice.” Turn to page 16A STABROEK NEWS, Thursday, May 26, 2016 Page 7A Remembering independence

‘Reciprocal understanding and closer cooperation between the major parties is a must if Guyana is to follow the road of peace and prosperity, for a house divided cannot stand, and this country is no exception’ Excerpt from “What I expect of Independence” by Michael Quail, Student of Central High School, May 1966 Guyana is yet to see a flowering of unity – says Moses Bhagwan Moses Bhagwan, then a member of suspension of the Constitution in 1953. cation of the enormous talents of all its the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) In addition to the battle against the colo- people, and the mobilisation of its much was a representative of the PPP delega- nial power, our politics was increas ingly vaunted resources for the emergence of tion to the 1962 and 1963 Constitutional being characterised as an internal strug- a prosperous and forward looking soci- conference. gle between the two main political par- ety. He spoke with the Sunday Stabroek ties for po litical power, the PNC led by “In spite of what I have said, I have (May 26, 1996) about the period leading [Forbes] Burnham and the PPP led by never lost faith in the process of the up to Independence and the 30 succeed- Dr Cheddi Jagan. The dream of indepen- struggle for independence and its ing years. Following are excerpts from dence was lost in an ensuing civil and achievement. I was uplifted by the fact the interview: ethnic strife in which each ethnic group that political independence had been “A lot has happened since Inde- ‒ Amerindian, Portuguese, Chi nese and achieved and I personally partic ipated in pendence Day in 1966. At pres ent one Indo- and Afro-Guyanese began to all the celebrations. I had hoped that would ask oneself what qualitative experience fears about the future and a Independence would have been an changes have taken place to distinguish sense of ethnic insecurity. With that de - opportunity for the political leadership [the country] from a colonial culture and velopment went the Cold War con- to advance to a new level of creativity status. While there have been a lot of frontation in which Guyana was one of and national commitment. Moses Bhagwan changes not all have been substantial the battlegrounds. “At the moment we have to be con- In the clamour for private investment enough to make us satisfied that we have “As we approached Indepen dence, cerned that there is no shared common working people and their organisations realised enough of the potential the sta- chaos and instability were developing so vision for Guy ana, no sense of direction. run the risk of being sidelined. tus of Independence opened for us as a that we did not enter independence as a There is no effective balance between “A most disturbing post- nation... people inspired by a sense of nationhood the utilisation of local human resources Independence feature is the visible dete- “In assessing the situation over the but unfortunately in considerable doubt and human resources available from rioration in human values and the con- past three decades, one has to be realis- and disunity. We still have not recovered international agencies. There is wide- comitant rise in various forms of brutal- tic and objective taking into considera- from these experiences and Guyana is spread poverty and a dangerous growth ity as well as the rise of blatant and tion that the transfer of political power yet to see a flowering of unity, an appli- in the gap between the rich and the poor. destructive get-rich-quick culture.” from Britain to the people of Guyana has been no waving of a magic wand. Independence meant that certain advan- Planting the Golden Arrowhead on Mount Ayanganna tages that a colony had in terms of accessing technology, skill and political expe rience were lost. But the compensa- tion would have been in a dynamic turn in developments within the country... a sense of nationhood... of belonging and a confidence in our abil ity to develop the country in our own way. “The constitutional talks in 1962 yielded nothing. In 1963 Dr Jagan signed the infamous Sandys’ letter that led to the changes in the electoral sys- tem. Dr Jagan had been given the op tion of signing or not signing, the conse- quences of which would have been a deadlock in the talks. By signing that letter it gave [Duncan] Sandys [Britain’s Colonial Secretary] the responsibility to determine the electoral system to be used in the 1964 general elec tions. “The 1965 Constitutional Conference was boycotted by the PPP. I too did not attend al though I would have, as an Independent Member of Parliament, had certain provisions been made possible. At the time I felt that the Independence Constitution should provide for the estab lishment of a government that received a two-thirds majority of sup- port in Parliament. The proposal was put forward as a means of ensuring that no As the Golden Arrowhead was being raised for the first time unfortunately he as well as Thompson and Jerry are now gov ernment would emerge that did not at what is now the National Park in Georgetown, Guyana’s deceased. transcend ethnic divisions. The princi- flag was being planted on the summit of Mount Ayanganna, In the photo above the party which planted the flag is ple, I still support. from which the GDF’s Camp Ayanganna takes its name. shown outside the Parliament Building just before their “In the-early ʼ50s the dream of departure. Along with some others Forbes Burnham (centre) Independence agitated a massive part of The route to the summit was pioneered by the Indigenous personally saw them off. From left (in uniform) are Walters, the Guyanese soci ety. It inspired the mountaineer Isaac Jerry from Philippai, while the party Martindale, Assad Ishoof (the only officer present) people of Guyana to struggle for a which climbed the mountain comprised members of the Clenkian, Stewart and Thom. removal of colonial rule. However, there GDF along with Adrian Thompson, the mountaineer and Adrian Thompson can be seen fourth from right partly were regrettable developments after the naturalist. The flag was actually raised by Assad Ishoof, but hidden, while Frank Pilgrim stands to Thompson’s right. Page 8A STABROEK NEWS, Thursday, May 26, 2016 Remembering independence ‘There was no historical significance to May 26’ – Hamilton Green (Reprinted from Sunday Stabroek, May 26, 1996) (Jagan had wanted it to be 18) and that there should be elections before Independence under Proportional “Independence has special memories for me for sev- Representa tion (PR). eral reasons. I was part of the team that attended the “Jagan said no to Propor tional Representation and conference in Britain to negotiate inde pendence there were slogans written up about the city which said [1965]. Briefly I should tell you what went on before ‘No PR, CR’. CR is an unmentionable exple tive. that. Guiana, in 1953, had adopted the Waddington “But at the 1964 election the PNC, United Force Constitution and for the first time we could have voted (UF) gov ernment took office. And in keeping with the under universal adult suffrage. In the circumstance agreement we went to Britain for the conference [to Indepen dence was the next logi cal step. After India had decide the date for Inde pendence]; Jagan boycotted. achieved its indepen dence it was thought that British “The team comprised members of the PNC, UF, Sir Guiana would be next. The ’53 constitution was Richard Luyt [governor] Sir Anthony Greenwood advanced but Britain still had respon sibility for our [British Minister of Overseas Development], David security, external and military affairs. Rose, the then advisor to the Governor on Defence, “The British accused Jagan of being communist and Lio nel Luckhoo and Sonny Ramphal, the Attorney- McCarthy and others were hysterical at the thought General. Hamilton Green that we were going to be part of the commu nist bloc. “There was no historical sig nificance to May 26. Elections were in April of that year and by October Burnham wanted Independence to be in February come to com promises. [October 6] the constitution was suspended and British because of the histori cal February slave rebellion, and “The PPP boycotted the conference even though the troops came here to maintain the peace. An interim D’Aguiar wanted August since it was August [1834] date had been fixed. The British had even tried to per- government was ap pointed which functioned until that the British granted emanci pation. suade him [Jagan] to attend. They asked him not to 1957. The PPP won the next elections. They won the “May was the middle ground between the two throw away his chance of making vital decisions that elec tions in 1961... months, a com promise. would greatly affect the country. He had declined “Jagan said that the election results reflected the “It was a cold November. The conference was well telling them that the country was in a state of emer- views of all the people. Burnham wanted proportional arranged and we were anxious to get it over with. We gency and that several persons were in deten tion representation and not the first past the post since the stayed at the Dorchester Hotel and the conference was (which was true, we were just emerging from serious PPP would have the obvious- advantage... at Lancaster House. riots, murder and general chaos) and that the electoral “Britain...[decided on] the electoral system of pro- “Ramphal and Luckhoo provided the link between system was not ac ceptable to the majority of peo ple. portional representation, to let the voting age be 21 the par ties and we had good dialogue and were able to “We returned home with a sense of achievement.” The organized working class needs credit for Independence – Eusi Kwayana (Reprinted from the Sunday Stabroek, May 26, 1996) surprise to me. We had expected it. But it was a good “I don’t think that in all this the organized working feeling. class was given enough credit for the achievement of On the occasion of Guyana’s thirtieth anniversary “I was not involved in the celebrations in Independence. The efforts by Jagan and Burnham of Independence, Eusi Kwayana had the following to Georgetown. I went to the National Park briefly to were without doubt great ‒ Burnham for populariz- say: escort a Mexican delegate (that was my duty because ing the idea among the people and Jagan in a more “At the time of Independence I was neither a I spoke Spanish), I introduced him and left. absolute way. member of the PPP nor the PNC. I was supporting the “I was organizing preparations for the celebrations “It was the organized working class who shook up PNC, however. at Buxton. We had a public rally there at which I the British administration with the 1947 bauxite “How did I feel about Independence? It was no spoke, and I think George Young. There were gather- strike, the 1948 Colonel Teare strike (Colonel Teare ings in most communities. I remember there were was brought here to run the Transport and Harbours fêtes and tramps the next day. Department and he did it like a tyrant) and the 1948 “What I was interested in was a Westminster type sugar strike. These shook up the British investors and of constitution which detailed how the government North American capital (and they realized) that they was to operate and how the opposition should be were not here forever.” treated. But, no one showed an interest, neither the government nor opposition; everyone was more con- ‘Independence of 1966 was a cerned about winning the elections. grand occasion. I remember that “They got proportional representation (PR) but that day well. It was touching to hear was not the solution. It solved the problem of repre- sentation, since the PPP was over-represented in that night the British Anthem played Parliament, which was more evident in ’61 when the for the last time and the new people really voted. National Anthem of Guyana played “It did not solve the problem of racism and the for the first. The National Park was racial choice of politicians and the structure of power filled with people. The Duke and which still exists today, and which everybody, in their Duchess of Kent were there and a sober moments, does have to admit to. As a country number of foreign delegations. we have to face it some time or the other and not run away. Burnham had invited the people “The government which was in power was impor- who worked with us on the constitu- tant to the British government because of the Cold tion. Britain had provided the fire- War which was on at the time. I don’t think the works. The people were happy, British were as concerned with our independence as even though the paint had not even they were about keeping a communist out of office. dried properly on manyof the stands They knew from ’61 that if the PNC and UF joined and people had their good clothes forces they would have been able to win and that it ruined.’ would have been less risky to grant Independence at Hamilton Green Eusi Kwayana that stage. STABROEK NEWS, Thursday, May 26, 2016 Page 9A Remembering independence ‘We should rekindle the spirit of 30 years ago’

The Duke of Kent hands the constitutional instruments to Prime – Neville Bissember Minister Forbes Burnham in the National Assembly, May 26, 1966. The late attorney-at-law Neville Bissember Sr was in the 21-member Guyanese delegation to the 1962 and 1963 constitutional talks in London. He was also a member of the delegation representing the People’s National Congress to the talks which resumed in November 1965, when the date for independence was set. In an interview with the Sunday Stabroek of May 26, 1996, Bissember, who was one of the architects of the Independence Constitution, spoke about the ‘Independence experi- ence’. Excerpts from the interview follow: “As a result of the Sir Hugh Hallett Boundary Commission which demarcated Guyana’s 35 constituencies, elections were held in 1961 for internal self-government. The three main parties, the People’s Progressive Neville Bissember Party (PPP), the People’s National Congress (PNC) and the United Force (UF), con- testing the elections all clamoured for political indepen- Forbes Burnham speaking at the presentation dence. As a result, the British government summoned the ceremony of Independence Arch, Brickdam. Independence Constitutional Conference in October, 1962. We went. “We, including Sir Lionel Luckoo and Edward De Freitas of the UF, and Fenton Ramsahoye of the PPP, had drafted the whole Independence constitution. The meeting was held at Lancaster House in London. Regrettably all the political parties did not agree on the electoral system which had to be agreed upon by the full plenary session. The PNC and the UF wanted a change in the electoral sys- tem, but the PPP which was in government at the time wanted the first-past-the-post system instead of proportion- al representation, and the conference broke down and we returned home. “The Secretary of State for the Colonies, Duncan Sandys then summoned another conference in October 1963. We went back to London. This time the meeting was held at Marlborough House. Sandys, realizing that we had failed to agree once again, decided to impose the decision in favour of proportional representation, the system which we still use today. “Independence was an exciting period in our history. Everyone thought that Independence would be a great thing for Guyana. Regrettably it has not lived up to expec- tations primarily because there seems to be a failure of the governing party to come to terms with the view of other political parties and arrive at a consensus for national unity. I am afraid that national unity is far away from the reaches Governor Sir Richard Luyt takes the salute. of the Guyanese people and I recommend that we rekindle the spirit and enthusiasm of 30 years ago for the benefit of the Guyanese nation.” Page 10A STABROEK NEWS, Thursday, May 26, 2016 Desmond Roberts remembers raising Golden Arrowhead that first time By Oluatoyin Alleyne Cadet School (MOCS). Guyana’s hinterland “in a simple way.” Reflecting on those days, Roberts said Initially when he left Guyana 26 years Fifty years ago, 20-year-old Guyana he spent all his working life in uniform, ago the purpose was to study and return Defence Force Second Lieutenant paid by the army. He spent one year as but he eventually migrated when “it was Desmond Theophilus Roberts was Director of the Guyana Youth Corps; clear that my services, and those of my selected to hoist the country’s Golden seven years in the Guyana National wife, might not be needed in Guyana Arrowhead for the first time and it is an Service; two years managing a after 1997.” honour that still makes his heart swell hydropower project in the North West Roberts stated that Guyana has moved with pride. District and returned to the GDF for four in several directions over the past 50 As the country prepares to celebrate years before going off to study and final- years, “trying to cope with external fac- fifty years of standing on its own and not ly retiring as a Colonel. tors, shocks and major changes within being a colony of Great Britain, Roberts “I travelled all across our beautiful the international systems and regimens.” is one of those who were around in those country and thoroughly enjoyed work- He believes that President David days and still remember. ing with young people,” he told this Granger is attempting the “difficult task “I felt mainly relieved that the flag- newspaper. of re-establishing first principles as well raising ceremony had gone without a Retired Colonel Roberts may not be in as moving the country onto a path of hitch,” Roberts told this newspaper Guyana as the country celebrates its sustainable development.” recently when asked to recall his feel- Golden Jubilee but said he will celebrate Roberts remembers his late friend and ings fifty years ago. the 50th independence anniversary MOCS squaddie, Assad Ishoof, who “[I was also] happy that Prime wherever he is. He has received several also raised a flag on May 26, 1966, but Minister Burnham and Leader of the invitations to attend flag-raising func- on Mt Ayanganna. He said Ishoof ran his Opposition Dr Cheddi Jagan had tions and celebrations in North America successful businesses by adhering to the embraced on the tarmac after the Golden and the Caribbean. “But Guyana is six principles of war that they learned as Arrowhead had been raised; there was where the main focus will be and where cadets. “These are useful principles for hope for unity and reconciliation,” he a lot of people will be returning after running a small or large business as well said. many years, possibly for the last time. It as a town or a country,” he said. Desmond Theophilus Roberts At that time, Roberts explained, there will be a great party. When you compare were several parades to which officers Guyana to many developed countries, were assigned and he was given the flag- after 50 years of their existence as coun- raising ceremony. “Maybe because I had tries, we have done well. We have super- been good at drills, was tall and they felt ficial differences which can be over- that I was confident,” he surmised. come within a generation; and we have a While he raised the Golden resourceful population in a country full Arrowhead the Union flag was lowered of resources,” Roberts said, without by a British officer, Second Lieutenant revealing where he would be on May 26. James Jonklass. He plans to return to Guyana to live At that time Roberts had only just and he hopes to contribute in any area returned from the British Mons Officer possible. He would like to live in

Second Lieutenant Desmond Roberts raises the Golden Arrowhead Then GDF Cadets Asad Ishoof, Desmond Roberts and Vibert Boodhoo depart while Second Lieutenant James Jonklass of the British forces lowers the for officer training in Britain in 1965. Union flag. STABROEK NEWS, Thursday, May 26, 2016 Page 11A

The Flag: the Golden Arrowhead According to Allan Fenty in ‘Being Frank’ (2011) it was Premier Cheddi Jagan who received a letter in 1960 from vexillologist Dr Whitney Smith asking whether he could design a flag for the then colony. (Smith coined the term ‘vexillologist’ which means ‘the scholarly analysis of all aspects of flags’ (Wikipedia).) Jagan responded that the country could not have its own flag until it became independent, but Smith could still create a flag for the future and send it to the National History and Arts Council to look at. Thereafter it would have to be endorsed by the legislature. Fenty goes on to relate that Smith’s Golden Arrowhead was approved by the time Forbes Burnham’s coalition government acceded to office in 1964.

Guyana’s National Bird Guyana’s national(Photo bird by isKester the Hoatzin, Clarke) better known locally as the Canje Pheasant.

Guyana’s National Flower The Coat-of-Arms Guyana’s national flower is the Victoria Regia lily, nowadays called the Victoria Amazonica. Page 12A STABROEK NEWS, Thursday, May 26, 2016 STABROEK NEWS, Thursday, May 26, 2016 Page 13A Stephen Campbell’s role in Independence talks hardly remembered in his home village of Moruka By Gaulbert Sutherland and the coordinator had not yet visited the village up to Thursday when Stabroek News visited. I asked the group of men lounging at a bar at the The village leader Sherwin Abrams and Kumaka waterfront if they knew Stephen spokesman Graham Atkinson expressed frustra- Campbell. One asked where he lived. Another tion. Both said they had sought guidance and pointed eastward. A mini-debate ensued until one funds but none was forthcoming. “Right now we shouted: “The man dead!” have to clip it to a bare minimum,” Atkinson Stephen Campbell, of course, has been dead said. He said it was made clear to them that the for half a century. The first legislator of indige- Golden Jubilee is a national event and they have nous descent in Guyana, he has often been to work within the given structure and the village described as a revered hero to the indigenous council could not subvert the authority of the peoples for his fight to ensure that Amerindian regional authorities. He said they can organise a lands rights were enshrined in the constitution of lot of activities but they need the support to get the newly-independent Guyana in 1966. out to all the communities. Atkinson said that he Tragically, he never lived to see an independent was disappointed and a bit angry. “The politics of Guyana as he died on May 12, 1966, two weeks the day also has a lot to do with how these events before British Guiana gained independence from are being planned,” he said. Britain. Even the decorations, ubiquitous in He was memorialized at the first Georgetown, are largely unseen in Santa Rosa Independence Day celebrations held in the Santa except for schools and the few government Rosa school compound at Moruca where he buildings. Nevertheless, the schools and the received his education. He was hailed as the man Catholic church are planning their own obser- who “went to the Queen” in the independence vances. For the village, Atkinson said, they are plan- quest, Esther Campbell (no relation) known Stephen Campbell Kevin Rufino in Kumuka widely as Teacher Attie, recalled. She was a ning some activities and like May 26 in 1966, teacher at the Santa Rosa school at the time. there will be a campfire, songs and a flag-raising “He fought hard for getting recognition for his finality in some of these rights.” Despite Campbell’s death, the first Independence ceremony and a presentation on Campbell’s con- Amerindian people. I think he was a great hero,” “He was really brave, he was really, really Day was a joyous affair, she related. tribution to independence. said Doli Rodrigues, a tireless Morucan, who brave to be so outspoken cause of the racialness “Everybody was happy…there was a party at Despite his status as a revered hero, Campbell despite retiring from teaching years ago, is and everything, he was really…determined to go The weathered Stephen Campbell monument in Santa Rosa is a forgotten figure to the wider populace. forward with his vision that he had for the peo- the school...we had gone a little step further, able involved in a range of activities. She recalled Jubilee Princess: A Santa Rosa Primary Usually, it is during Amerindian Heritage Month meeting Campbell at Shea in the Rupununi ple,” said Kevin Rufino, who learnt of Campbell to rule ourselves,” Teacher Attie related. She said School student is all prepared for the Campbell was memorialized at that first celebrations in September that he and his contri- where he showed the students old dances. “He from the late Basil Rodrigues. Independence Day. At midnight, the Golden butions are resurrected. Otherwise, in a post- was telling them you have to hold on to your cul- Atkinson said that Campbell is not being dis- Golden Jubilee observances. Arrowhead was raised and policemen fired guns. independence conversation largely dominated by ture,” she recalled. cussed as he should be, and he is only mentioned in 1957 he formally entered politics and during To celebrate, poems were read, there were skits, former presidents Forbes Burnham and Cheddi Rodrigues said people still speak of him. “We during Amerindian Heritage Month. “You don’t elections that year as a member of the National games, a concert and cultural items. “They had Jagan, he has been relegated to the sidelines, not feel a certain respect, we still feel that he did a hear about Stephen Campbell having a role to Labour Front (NLF), Campbell, standing for the a campfire, the children said poems and then they a part of any school curriculum, even in indige- part in the independence thing,” she said, while play in independence,” he said. “It’s not being North West District, was the only person to win dance around the fire and the old people told sto- nous communities. Even in his hometown Santa adding that people should be much more aware taught in the school,” he pointed out while a seat for his party in the British Guiana ries,” she recalled. She said the dances done were Rosa, his name often elicits a quizzical “Who?” of his Moruca roots. adding that this is a bit frustrating because he is Legislative Council. It was something of a land- Amerindian dances to the sounds of the shak- Like the writing on the weathered monument Atkinson said Campbell is like a beacon in the from that part of the country. He said Campbell mark, since he was the first Amerindian to win a shak, guitar and banjo. dedicated to him in the centre of Santa Rosa, fight for Amerindian land rights. “There has been and his role need to be rightfully placed in histo- seat in a general election. From that point on he Fifty years later, precisely a week before the Campbell seems to have faded into the mist. The progress made in that area. However, we are still ry. served in the legislature until his death on May Golden Jubilee of Independence celebrations, majority of persons asked could not say who he struggling to make it a real package,” he said, There is no denying Campbell’s contributions. 12, 1966, two weeks before British Guiana one could be forgiven for thinking it was just was and only a few persons could instantly recall while adding that Campbell is still relevant in the The role most associated with him is his struggle gained independence from Britain. another day. Golden Jubilee events in Region him and his contributions during a recent visit to struggle for indigenous rights. Fifty years on, he to secure the land rights of Guyana’s indigenous He was very concerned during the pre- One are being overseen by a regional committee the village. observed, “we are still struggling to have some peoples. Born in Moruca on December 26, 1897, Independence period that after Independence the indigenous people might lose their rights to their traditional lands, and in order to further his efforts in this regard he resigned from the NLF, contesting the 1961 and 1964 general elections under the umbrella of the United Force (UF). Since the UF was the third party in the legislature which was partly dependent on the Amerindian vote, this decision allowed him to attend the Independence conferences in London in 1962, 1963 and 1965, where eventually it was agreed that Amerindians should be given legal owner- ship to lands in an independent Guyana. The fact that many villages now have official title to their lands is largely owing to the efforts of Campbell, although he never lived long enough to see the first titles granted in 1976. It seems unlikely that this is largely known. Santa Rosa is now a titled Amerindian village of over 8000 persons scattered among the islands and forests of the swampy Moruca district. Here, in Stephen Campbell’s hometown, the Golden Jubilee seems like an afterthought. Atkinson spoke of transforming the weathered Stephen Campbell monument into a grander pro- ject: A Stephen Campbell gardens and informa- tion centre. It would go some way towards answering the Jubilant mood? School children at the Santa Rosa Primary School framed by Jubilee questions asked by some in Santa Rosa. “Who is Doli Rodrigues in her craft shop at Santa Rosa. decorations The decorated Ministry of Education building in Kumaka, Santa Rosa, Moruca. he? Where he living?” Page 14A STABROEK NEWS, Thursday, May 26, 2016 Reflecting on the post-independent era: the elderly speak

Randolph Blackett Lucio Thompson Ismay McGarrell By Oluatoyin Alleyne dow and threatened to drop him. They did not do so, but were expelled from orn and bred in Victoria, 71- the school. “Violence in school is not a year-old Randolph Blackett new thing; it use to happen in my days. recalls that before indepen- But we did not have many girls dropping dence “you use to see a lot out of school because of teenage preg- of white mouth ‘kera’ about nancy. theB place ‒ lack of proteins. But when [former President Forbes] Burnham ahanna Beharry is 73, and took away he tried to eliminate that. I she lives at Greenwich think he brought in this fish tilapia from Park, East Bank Esse- Africa which help the issue.” It was also quibo, and for her Guy- difficult for the average villager to find ana should be returned to jobs or afford to further their education, pre-colonialR days just so the crime rate but all of this changed after indepen- could be reduced. “Things were good in dence. “And when independence come those days. We had no problem to get we started to do a lot of self-help around grocery and they were selling cheap.” the place, cleaning up the place and so. Beharry recalled that she was born in “Back then this place use to be black Albouystown and her mother died when like hell, no light. Every average child Rahanna Beharry Jusset Hart she was 12 and she was forced to me you use to see with bus’ toe because of move to Farm Village, East Bank the claybrick road, and walking on the then to now.” that Guyana was a better place under the Demerara. “I got married when I was 14 road in the night you use to bust up you He believes there is much to celebrate British rule. She recalls that eggs were and I worked in the backdam and did toe. So when it was moonlight night you and if his health permits he would be at just a dollar for a dozen and people domestic work. We used to feel safe in use to be so glad because then you use to D’Urban Park to witness the flag-raising could have saved. “We were able to buy our homes in those days. But after inde- get your game and so forth. ceremony. “I would remember fifty things to eat and get money to save,” she pendence there was an 80-day strike and “Back then we were more close, we years ago I stood at the National Park said, adding the children were more dis- then the riot started. We were scared. I more knitted as a people because if you and witness the Union Jack coming ciplined in school and she does not can remember when we had to line up to get little work to do we come together down for the last time and the Golden recall domestic violence being so ram- buy grocery…The only social problem and we help one another in those days. Arrowhead going up for the first time. I pant. An empathic “No” is uttered when we had was with the men drinking and But now everybody thinking about self would feel like a proud Guyanese 71 one asked if Guyana should celebrate its fighting up among themselves. At least now, after Independence everybody start years old; you know I was a youth then independence, and asked for the reason we didn’t have robbery and we coulda branching off and start think about self,” and now I am an old man, a grandfather Hart again mentioned the cost of living. leave our house open without worry- Blackett said. and a great grandfather to witness our She said for a place that is rich in natural ing.” Golden Arrowhead going up in a atmos- resources Guyanese should not have to But she is proud Guyana is fifty. “I’m ay 26th, 1966 is still phere of peace and love.” struggle so much, giving herself as an proud that it is 50 years already since we etched in Blackett’s Lucio Thompson is also 71, hails example since she is unable to even buy became independent, but I am sad at mind as he remem- from the village of Kamarang, Region 7 wood and sand to renovate her home how the crime rate is going up. I don’t bers attending the and he remembers that when the country because of the prices. think the country would get better with flag-raising ceremo- became an independent state the Golden the economy either. The pension raise ny.M ”I can remember attending the flag Arrowhead was hoisted by the then cap- On the other hand, another Buxtonian, but everything raise in the shop too.” raising and I felt real good to see for the tain of the village. For him nothing has 86-year-old Ismay McGarrell Guyana last time that the Union Jack coming changed since then because, “We just has come a far way and there is much to Sixty-two-year-old Joyce Jones, who down and our Golden Arrowhead going continue to work hard, farming and no celebrate. But said in the past children hails from Den Amstel, West Coast up. But the thing that impress me more assistance. Right now I need help, I could not speak to their parents the way Demerara, feels that the country was in is how this soldier march up on the tar- always thinking about myself how I they do today, and they had to attend a good place before independence. “I mac and salute. I think was then Prime would become in the coming future, school. “Parents now have to be behind was a young girl then but I can recall Minister Burnham, and girl you could what I would do for my family. I would you and you doing what you like, that that under the British rule we use to have have heard this man boots on the tar- like more assistance from now on,” the did not happen then. You have to go to cheaper things. The only recreation we mac! Oh Lord, me skin grow and I felt man said, as he stood next to his ailing school and if you did not want to go got was when young people in the vil- so nice to know that we now ruling our- wife on the bridge of the Amerindian school your parents found something for lage used to come together and play selves, and I think all average Guyanese Hostel. While they would be in you to do, but they would press on you games like ‘hop-scotch,’ ‘littie’ and ‘sal would have felt that way too you know. Georgetown on May 26th the couple to go to school.” But she did admit that pass.’ In those times we never had prob- And now to crown it all to see that as said they do not plan on attending any of there were children who were not disci- lems with people smoking weed too soon as our President swear in he start to the activities because there is no one to plined back then as she recalled an inci- much, but the men used to drink a lot of clean up the place for this fifty-year take them around the city. dent where some boys who were disci- alcohol. But it is good to know that we anniversary and look the difference, plined by the school headmaster lifted look the beauty of our garden city from At 68, Buxtonian Jusset Hart believes him and held him out of the school win- Turn to page 21A STABROEK NEWS, Thursday, May 26, 2016 Page 15A Programme for Independence

The following is the outline of 8 pm -Their Royal Highnesses the Independence Programme: attend the State Banquet at Queen’s College; 10.35 pm -Their Royal SUNDAY Highnesses attend the National MAY 22 Display, Flag-Raising ceremony in the Queen Elizabeth II National Day of National Reflection Park. and Intercession 9am -Farwell Parade and laying THURSDAY up of colours of the British Guiana Volunteer Force; 11:45 am. INDEPENDENCE DAY -Unveiling of the Independence (Public Holiday) Arch by the Prime Minister; 4:30pm 6 am -Religious Services of -Official Welcome for their Royal Dedication; 8am -National Gun Highnesses at the airport; 7pm - Salute by warships of visiting Their Royal Highnesses attend Navies; 8.30 am -Presentation of Evensong at St. George’s Cathedral; credentials by High Commissioners 9 pm -Government reception for to the Prime Minister; 8 am – 9 am visiting and local members of the -Broadcasts by Religious Press. Leaders; 9.15 am -Fly past by air- MONDAY craft; 9.45 am -Swearing-in of Governor-General and Ministers at Government House; 11 am -State 9am -Handicraft Exhibition Opening of Parliament by His Opens; photographic Exhibition Royal Highness; 3.30 pm -Their opens; 10:15 am. Royal Highnesses attend the Race Civic Welcome for Their Royal Meeting at D’Urban Park; 6.30 pm Highnesses at the Town Hall; 11.40 -Their Royal Highnesses attend the am -Their Royal Highnesses meet Prime Minister’s Reception; 9 pm - the Press at Government House Street Dancing; 10 pm -Their Royal 8:30 pm -Formal Dinner Party at Highnesses attend the State Ball at Government House. Queen’s College. This was the front page of the special supplement brought out by the Graphic newspaper on the morning of Thursday, May 26, 1966. It was TUESDAY FRIDAY entitled the ‘Graphic Independence Souvenir’ and was compiled by the editor of the paper, Ricardo Smith. (Courtesy of Dr Steve Surujbally) 9.30 am - Their Royal Public Holiday Highnesses visit rural areas in East 9.30 am -Their Royal and West Berbice and receive a Highnesses visit Lethem and Civic welcome and Reception in Mackenzie; 10 am -Prime New Amsterdam; 10 am. Minister’s Press Conference; 5 pm -Presentation of Title deed to the -Their Royal Highnesses return to University of Guyana by Lord Georgetown; 5.45 pm -Reception Campbell; 4pm -Their Royal High- by the Guyana Branch of the nesses return to Georgetown; 5.45 Commonwealth Parliamentary pm -The Regimental Band and st Association; 9 pm -Historical Corps of Drums of the 1 Battalion, Pageant in Queen Elizabeth II the Middlesex Regiment, “Beat National Park; 9 pm -Street Retreat” at the Parade Ground; 9 pm Dancing. -Diplomatic Reception at Govern- ment House; 9.30 pm -The Gover- nor’s Reception at Government SATURDAY House. 9.30 am -Their Royal WEDNESDAY Highnesses watch the Float Parade; 2 pm -Informal departure of their Royal Highnesses from the airport; 9 am -Water Pageant on 4.30 pm ‒ 8 pm -“Tramp”; 9 pm - Demerara River; 9.30 am -Their Theatre Show at Queen’s College – Royal Highnesses visit the Water “Guyana Legend”; 9 pm -Street Pageant and then tour exhibition of Dancing. rice and sugar industries and local handicraft at Vreed-en-Hoop; 11am -His Royal Highness visits the SUNDAY Guyana Defence Force; Her Royal Highness visits the “Palms” Religious Services of Almshouse; 11.30 am Thanksgiving; 1.30 pm -National -His Royal Highness visits 1st Sporting Events; 4 pm -Procession Battalion, the Middlesex Regiment; of Floats and Steel Bands.

Among many other things the Graphic Independence Souvenir of May 26, 1966, published the programme of events for Independence. As can be seen, there were two public holidays on Thursday and Friday, and a crowded schedule of functions of one kind or another. Letter requesting Queen’s approval for Independence Act and Order, 1966 Page 16A STABROEK NEWS, Thursday, May 26, 2016 Creating a foreign policy for an independent state By Ronald M Austin col, the importance of economics and trade, the ‘American hemisphere’ and others which were consid- The British Guiana Legislative Council in June of ered necessary to prepare the members of the Depart- 1958 passed a resolution calling on the British govern- ment of External Affairs for a diplomatic career. ment to convene a constitutional conference to discuss The Prime Minister delivered the main address to full independence for the then colony. Responding to the conference. In this speech one can detect elements the aspirations of the parliamentary representatives of which were to have a lasting effect on the execution of the colony, the British government and its Colonial the nation’s foreign policy. He took account of Secretary, Iain McLeod, convened a conference in Guyana’s geostrategic position in the world, the London in March of 1960. Delegations from the PPP East/West political blocs, the need for alliances and and the PNC were led by their respective leaders, Dr development resources, and the necessity to be as neu- Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham, while the Guiana tral as possible between the two ideological blocs; Independence Movement was represented by Jai Guyana would not automatically support either East or Narine Singh. Rahman Gajraj and RE Davis attended West. Also, on the very eve of the nation’s indepen- the conference as nominated members of the Legis- dence both Venezuela and Suriname reiterated claims lative Council. It was clear that while there was general to Guyana’s territory. Not surprisingly therefore the agreement on the need for independence there was no Prime Minister made the question of security an impor- consensus on the means to achieve it. The British gov- tant part of his speech. There had been pronounce- ernment settled for a halfway house: full internal self- ments on the likely foreign policy for an independent government with the colonial power retaining respon- Guyana in the pre-independence period, but this was sibility for defence and foreign affairs. the first time that the actual determinants of such a pol- But the British government understood that despite icy were detailed. the political difficulties, British Guiana’s independence Burnham’s address to the training course for the new was inevitable and therefore the country had to be pre- Guyanese diplomats is an interesting document pared for the attendant responsibilities. When a settle- because it represents the efforts of a new state to define ment was reached therefore at the 1963 constitutional its interests and prepare its representatives for the chal- conference, critical institutions had to be created to Minister of State Shridath Ramphal lenges of international life. Based on its interests and ensure that Guyana could carry out its functions as an the need for security, Guyana established diplomatic independent nation. One such area was foreign policy. relations with all of the main and important states in Accordingly, the British government created the the international system and with international organi- Department of External Affairs in 1964 which was zations, such as the United Nations and the Common- located in the Office of the Prime Minister. As Premier, wealth. Relatedly, this small nation pursued its goals Burnham elected to retain the Ministry of External and objectives in international diplomacy with great Affairs. Deroop Maraj was appointed Minister of vigour. Within a decade of being independent Guyana State. The recruitment of suitable candidates who was a well-known small state whose representatives could serve as diplomats for the new state proceeded had won recognition in several international fora. The apace. From all reports a number of well-qualified and fact that it could host a Non-Aligned Meeting of the talented people were attracted by the prospect of Foreign Ministers for the first time in the Western becoming diplomats. It was here that some of our hemisphere eight years after independence is testimo- finest diplomats such as Rashleigh Jackson and Rudy ny to the importance of diplomacy in the young Insanally had their initial exposure to the practice of nation’s national life and the success it had achieved in diplomacy. executing its foreign policy. The establishment of the Department of External Another important building block in the construc- Affairs was the first step in a series of measures which tion of the institutions relevant to the conduct of the were taken to prepare the British colony substantively nation’s foreign policy was the ‘Report of the Review and institutionally for independence. Committee on the Organisational Structure and After the completion of the recruitment process, the Conditions of Service of the Guyana Diplomatic new diplomats had to be trained. A major ‘Foreign Service.’ The committee which was established in Service Working Training Course’ was held in January 1968 was chaired by the new Minister of State S S 1966. The list of those attending this course makes for Ramphal and it represents the most detailed account of interesting reading. Altaf Mohamed, who was later our the conditions of service of our diplomats. Twenty- Ambassador to China, was there as was Miles Stoby, three pages long it covers every aspect of the diplo- who became Deputy to Rashleigh Jackson at our mat’s life abroad. Most of the recommendations of the Permanent Mission in New York. Doris Harper Wills, committee were based on submissions by the overseas the wife of Fred Wills, attended as did Jane Seymour, missions. The work of this committee, the training pro- who was to do a tour of duty at our mission in gramme to which reference has already been made, Washington. In short, it was a mix of professionals, Guyana’s active diplomatic life, the pronouncements some of whom had excellent degrees in such subjects on the substance of the nation’s foreign policy and the as economics, law and education. performance of our diplomats are testimony to the fact The subjects covered by the training course includ- that Guyana had applied the energies released by ed ‘Working at an Embassy’, the significance of proto- Rashleigh Jackson independence in a most constructive manner. ‘Six weeks of sleepless days and nights’ From page 6A The Golf Club house was an empty building. “We Telecommunications Corporation took time off his job had nothing to start with, but friends rallied around,” and worked round the clock for 48 hours to get elec- supportive and collaborated to ensure that it was a she said, and within a short space of time, “We had tricity into the area. “The success of the pageant came success”, Robinson said that after efforts failed to get two telephones, desk and chairs, mirrors and even a from offerings and devotion like that,” she said. the Georgetown Cricket Club Ground to stage the sewing machine was loaned to us, and we got mov- It was after the Independence celebrations that the pageant. “Frankie” suggested that Kelly Dam and the ing.” building was turned over to the then National History Golf Course next to the old ‘Golf Club’ in the Queen Two days before the show, “we had a snag with the and Arts Council and has since been renamed the Elizabeth Park, now the National Park, be used as the electrical arrangements.” Her brother-in-law Leon Department of Culture. [It is now the Burrowes venue. Robinson employed with the then Guyana School of Art.] STABROEK NEWS, Thursday, May 26, 2016 Page 17A There is pomp and pageantry but Guyana is still struggling to find its footing -Ralph Ramkarran

‘People from the PPP felt robbed, I think that was the general feeling of people in the PPP. I can’t remember my own feelings, I suppose I went along with the general, you know, feeling of everybody, the PPP was robbed…the PPP had fought for independence and it was unfair and unjust that the PPP had been kicked out of power and that independence was given to people who really did not put out the effort to get it’

By Gaulbert Sutherland “People from the PPP felt robbed, I think that was the general feeling of people in the PPP. I can’t remem- On May 26, 1966, there were fireworks, gun salutes, ber my own feelings, I suppose I went along with the dances and songs as a newly christened Guyana general, you know, feeling of everybody, the PPP was emerged from the folds of the British empire. The robbed…the PPP had fought for independence and it pomp and pageantry has been repeated religiously was unfair and unjust that the PPP had been kicked out every year, but half a century later, Guyana is still of power and that independence was given to people struggling to find its footing. who really did not put out the effort to get it,” he said. “We were pretty excited at Cheddi going to the Guyana’s development continues to be bedevilled National Park and embracing Burnham and so on…we by political divisions which has hampered progress. felt that good things would come out of that,” former Ramkarran, who was also a PPP executive but left after Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran being alarmed at the corruption within the party, said recalled, speaking of the late presidents Dr Cheddi the economy in 1953 when the first elections under Jagan and Forbes Burnham. By the time of indepen- universal adult suffrage was held, and in 1966, was dence, deep fissures had developed between the one- based on rice, sugar and bauxite. “From 1966 to now, time allies with Burnham becoming the prime minister the economy has changed very little,” he said, even as after Jagan was manoeuvred from office. he observed that bauxite mining has declined while Ever since, the deep divisions have festered and 50 gold mining and forestry have become important. years on, despite being well endowed with natural “Guyana’s economy is based on commodities and resources, fertile agricultural lands, bauxite, gold and the extraction and sale of raw materials; nothing has extensive tropical forests which cover more than 80 fundamentally changed in our economy. There are no per cent of the country, Guyana is the third poorest big services that we produce to export like tourism, country in Latin America and the Caribbean. like information technology, there is nothing that “I don’t think that we have done as good as we could Guyana has developed since then,” he argued. The have done,” Ramkarran said. “One of the reasons that economy has grown larger but Guyana is still a very most people feel that Guyana has been held back is poor country, he said. because of the political divisions in the country. I The Senior Counsel believes that constitutional believe that if Cheddi were still alive today that he reform is key to forging an atmosphere that could would have made a much stronger effort to get unity encourage unity and foster greater development while between the two major political forces. I think that is there is also hope that the dominance of the PPP could what is needed.” Ralph Ramkarran be challenged. The period before independence was a time of wedding to his first wife in the 1950s and also cam- The last two elections have shown that the absolute upheaval and turmoil and the consequences have paigning with his dad who wore a jacket and tie during dominance of the PPP is declining, he said. “And while haunted Guyana since. Great sacrifices were made and his house-to-house campaign visits. it’s still a strong political force, if that dominance con- it was not all joy on May 26, 1966 with independence “The [1964] election was a difficult time because the tinues to decline the possibility exists that no political being greeted with mixed feelings. violence started in 1962, it was a frightening period for force in Guyana can get an absolute majority and if that Ramkarran was born into politics, his late father us, 62, 63, 64, and this was very painful, very violent arises then it holds out possibilities for a greater unity,” Boysie Ramkarran having been a founding member of and you know, we kind of felt that something was he said. the PPP in 1950. The elder Ramkarran served in vari- going to happen to the PPP and that bad things were “The second aspect is that hopefully the process of ous capacities at the executive level of the PPP as the going to happen in the country. Well those bad things constitutional reform can create a situation that forces party fought for independence, and for years after the lasted for three years and eventually the PPP lost the political parties to collaborate,” the senior counsel suspension of the constitution by the British in 1953, office,” Ramkarran recalled. said. In this regard, he listed presidential elections he was restricted to the areas surrounding his home. He That upheaval marked the years leading up to inde- where the candidate requires an absolute majority and also endured imprisonment at the Camp Street and pendence. Ramkarran recalled that from 1964 is not tied to a list as is currently the situation. If no Mazaruni prisons. onwards, a large number of PPP leaders and supporters candidate gets 51% of the vote, then a runoff would be “Politics was always part of our lives, everybody we were detained without trial by the British government. required and then parties have to negotiate, he said. knew was in politics, everybody we knew was in the He said people hardly remember the detainees and “So that forces them to come together,” he said. PPP, there was all the excitement of all the political among those detained for two years were Cedric Nunes Another option, the former House Speaker suggest- events that were going on. [It] was part of our excite- and Prakash Persaud. “It was a big struggle to get them ed, is having the president elected by the National ment of life, it was part of our whole existence,” the out, it was a real fight to get out the detained,” he said. Assembly after general elections with the requirement younger Ramkarran recalled. His first political job was On Independence Day, Jagan and Burnham that the president be elected by a two thirds majority. in 1957, when aged 11, he took over his father’s embraced. “We felt good about it,” Ramkarran said. Even if the president is required to be elected by 51% Thunder customers. Ramkarran officially joined the But Jagan and the late Reepu Daman Persaud were the PPP in April 1961. only two from the PPP executive who attended the Turn to page 18A He recalled his mother cooking food for Burnham’s flag-raising ceremony at the National Park. Page 18A STABROEK NEWS, Thursday, May 26, 2016 There is pomp and pageantry but Guyana is still...

From page 17A and no party gets 51%, you still have to negotiate, he said. There are methods by which constitutional reform can force political parties to collaborate more and he is looking forward to this, he said. However, he acknowledged that the major parties may not want this. “We have to keep fighting for it… I am not so sure that the APNU which had been voic- ing some of these things before, I am not sure they are sold now on it. Once you get in power, your perspec- tive changes you know, just like the PPP’s perspective changed from 1992 onwards,” he said. However, he said APNU would want to change the system so that a party that does not win a plurality of the votes would The Duke of Kent shakes Prime Minister Burnham’s hand prior to (Photo courtesy of the Bissember family) be able to join with other parties after an election to his departure from Guyana. take the presidency. Currently, a party that wins the most votes though it may be less than half of the votes cast, is entitled to the presidency. In terms of the desire to heal the divisions, Ramkarran said while this is strong, it can come into conflict with the maintenance of political power and when it comes into that conflict, political power takes precedence. “I am predicting that the PPP will be very reticent about constitutional reform…they will not want anything fundamental to be changed. Why? Because they feel they will win the next elections and that…this situation suits them so they will be able to rule by themselves. APNU may also be labouring under the same view that they will win the next elec- tions and if they do then they will not want to change up the presidential and constitutional system…in any significant way,” he said. He also suggested that a truly independent party that focuses on attracting PPP supporters could help in forging the way forward. “What is needed is a politi- cal force to challenge the PPP, to challenge the PPP and to draw away the support of the PPP and…such a political force must pledge beforehand that it will not join in any government but maintain its independence outside of government to keep the political parties on track,” he said. “Such a party must aim to get supporters from all ethnic groups but its main focus would be to challenge the PPP as a party which has betrayed the principles of Cheddi Jagan,” the former PPP stalwart said, while The constitutional instrument pointing out that in terms of numbers, the PPP’s sup- port base of Indo-Guyanese is larger and the party also has the strong support of the Amerindian community. He said third parties do not have a great history in the world and Guyana’s political culture based on eth- nic support prevents third parties from flourishing here. However, a third party that challenges the PPP could be successful, he argued. In order to bring about change, members of the Guyanese society have to keep writing and talking about it all the time, Ramkarran said. He expressed himself as very hopeful that once there is relief from the political division, much can be accomplished. He noted that there is the prospect of Guyana becoming an oil producing state but noted that it will not happen immediately and it must not be overemphasised. If oil brings more income to Guyana, it can assist in building the country’s infrastructure and set the base for the expansion of the economy in various areas, he said. He pointed out that Guyana has good possibilities in manufacturing and has products that can sustain huge value-added industries such as those from forestry, mining and agriculture. “Really we don’t need oil because the Caribbean imports US$2 billion worth of food [annually]. If we only get US$500 million of that business” Guyana can be well off and this must be targeted, he said. The Duchess of Kent visits the Palms on May 22, 1966 “If we are able to get this take off from our oil (Photo courtesy of the Bissember family) resources to build other aspects of our economy, I think Guyana has a great future,” he asserted. STABROEK NEWS, Thursday, May 26, 2016 Page 19A Jubilee milestones: Significant developments in Guyanese history, 1966-2016 By Winston McGowan historian Dr Walter Rodney to a teaching position at the University of Guyana evoked protests within the 1966 – After 163 years of uninterrupted British institution and in the wider society, events associated rule dating back to 1803, British Guiana became with the formation of the Working People’s Alliance, politically independent on May 26 under the new initially a pressure group which became a political name, Guyana, with Forbes Burnham its first Prime party formally in 1979. Minister. Guyana’s batting star Rohan Kanhai, and Guyana was admitted to the United Nations and Englishman James Jameson set a world record of 465 became a member of the World Bank. runs for the highest second-wicket partnership in first-class cricket, playing for Warwickshire against Venezuela seized Guyana’s half of the island of Gloucestershire in the English county championship. Ankoko in the Cuyuni River. Commercial railways in Guyana came to an end 1967 – The Critchlow Labour College, the educa- with the closure of both the Vreed-en- Hoop, Parika tional arm of the trade union movement, was estab- and the Georgetown-Rosignol railways. lished. 1975 - The E R Burrowes School of Art was estab- Suriname hydropower workers were evicted by the lished. police from Guyana’s New River Triangle. There were State visits to Guyana by General 1968 – The People’s National Congress (PNC) Yakubu Gowon, Nigeria’s head of state, Sir Seretse became the ruling party, when it secured an overall Khama, President of Botswana, and President Luis majority in the questionable December general elec- Echeverria of Mexico, the first visit by a Latin tion. Forbes Burnham American head of state. The Soesdyke-Linden highway was completed. The West Indies cricket team, led by Guyanese President Raúl Leoni declared Venezuelan sover- Clive Lloyd and containing four other Guyanese ‒ eignty over a nine-mile strip off the Essequibo coast. Roy Fredericks, Lance Gibbs, Alvin Kallicharran and Rohan Kanhai ‒ won the first limited-over World Cup 1969 - A rebellion against the central government tournament in England. by some prominent cattle ranchers in the Rupununi was staged in an unsuccessful attempt at secession 1976 - The holdings of the sugar magnate, Bookers from Guyana. were nationalised, and the Guyana Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) was recognised, instead of A National Insurance Scheme (NIS) was intro- the Man Power Citizens’ Association (MPCA), as the duced by the government. bargaining agent for sugar workers after thirty years of struggle. The GDF retook a camp – now Camp Jaguar – from Suriname which had established it in Guyana’s The National Cultural Centre in Georgetown was New River Triangle. opened.

1970 - Guyana became a republic in February, sev- The government extended its authority over ering all remaining official links with the British church and private primary and secondary schools, monarchy. Arthur Chung became President. introduced a policy of free education from nursery to university and of co-education at Queen’s College Linden, Corriverton and Rose Hall were estab- and Bishops’ High School and opened a new lished as towns. Teachers’ Training College at Turkeyen. The government introduced local national awards Arthur Chung 1977- Guyana established diplomatic relations ‒ the Medal of Service, the Arrow of Achievement, with China and Cuba and severed relations with the Cacique Crown of Honour, the Order of Roraima Israel. and the Order of Excellence ‒ replacing British hon- ours. 1978 - Guyana attracted considerable unwelcome international attention as a result of the famous 1971- The Canadian-owned Demerara Bauxite tragedy at Jonestown in the North West District, Company (DEMBA) was nationalized. where 914 members, mostly Americans, of a religious cult, The People’s Temple, including the leader, Jim 1972 - Guyana hosted the first Caribbean Festival Jones, died of murder/suicide. of Creative Arts (CARIFESTA) and a meeting of the Non-Aligned Foreign Ministers. The Canje River Bridge and the Demerara Harbour Bridge were opened to vehicular traffic. 1973- Guyana became one of the original four members of the newly formed Caribbean A national referendum was held on the Community (CARICOM), together with Barbados, Constitutional Amendment Bill, with the political Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago, a successor to the opposition boycotting the poll. Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA), estab- lished in 1968. 1979- The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) offered its first Caribbean Secondary The PNC emerged victorious at controversial Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations to its national elections. member countries, including Guyana. 1974 – The refusal to appoint eminent Guyanese Cheddi Jagan Turn to page 20A Page 20A STABROEK NEWS, Thursday, May 26, 2016 Jubilee milestones: Significant developments... From page 19A 1991- The former Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashleigh Jackson, was awarded the Order of Radio Demerara and the Guyana Broadcasting Roraima for his distinguished service in the field of Service (GBS) were merged to form a new entity, the foreign affairs. Guyana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC). 1992- After 28 years in power, the PNC was voted A number of WPA leaders were charged with arson out of office in the first essentially fair national elec- of the Ministry of National Development. In a tions since 1964 and the People’s Progressive Party demonstration outside the court Father Darke, a pho- (PPP) led by Cheddi Jagan came to power. tographer for the Catholic Standard was stabbed by a member of the House of Israel and later died. 1993- The National Art Gallery was established at Castellani House in Georgetown. 1980- Michael Parris, a featherweight boxer, became the first and so far the only Guyanese to win David Granger’s Guyana Review, a monthly news a medal at the Olympic Games, when he secured a magazine, was launched. bronze medal in Moscow. In November the country suffered its worst floods Dr Walter Rodney, historian and political activist, since the Great Flood of 1933. co-leader of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) was assassinated. 1994- The Test career of Shivnarine Chanderpaul began. His 62 was the highest score ever made by a 1981- The inaugural ceremony of Guyana’s first West Indian teenager on his Test debut. executive President, Forbes Burnham was held, in keeping with the provisions of a new constitution of 1995- The alarming spilling of cyanide waste from 1980 and following the PNC victory in the General Omai Gold Mines Ltd. into the Essequibo River, Elections of December 15, 1980, which were not Walter Rodney caused a major environmental disaster. deemed free and fair. 1996- Shivnarine Chanderpaul became the first 1982- The ruling PNC government banned wheat- and so far the only Guyanese to score a triple century en flour and prohibited the importation of wheat and in first-class cricket, 303 not out for Guyana against some other basic food items. These were reintro- Jamaica at Sabina Park. duced in 1985-86 by President Desmond Hoyte. The initial publication of the Kaieteur News news- The Guyana Gold Board was established. paper appeared.

The Protocol of Port-of-Spain of 1970 which 1997- Guyana’s national poet, Martin Carter, died. placed a moratorium on territorial claimsin the boundary controversy between Guyana and Guyanese Lance Gibbs, Rohan Kanhai and Clive Venezuela expired, and Venezuela refused to renew Lloyd were among 13 West Indians included in the it. International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Hall of Fame set up to honour pastlegends of the game as part of 1983- The West Demerara Hospital Complex at the ICC’s Centenary Year Celebrations. Vreed-en-Hoop was opened.Guyana achieved a unique double, winning the 4-day Shell Shield and After four years and five months in office Cheddi the limited-over Geddes-Grant/Harrison Line tourna- Jagan died. He was succeeded as President by ments, the two major cricket competitions held annu- Samuel Hinds briefly, then by Janet Jagan, Guyana’s ally in the Caribbean. first female head of state.

1984- Guyanese Clive Lloyd was publicly hon- 1998- The year began with serious political unrest oured by the West Indies Cricket Board during the in the wake of the General Elections of December fifth Test against the visiting Australians in Jamaica 1997, prompting the intervention of Caricom in an for becoming the first West Indiancricketer to play in attempt to reconcile the two main political parties 100 Test matches. Clive Lloyd through the Herdmanston Accord. 1985- Forbes Burnham died and was succeeded as The Guyana-Suriname Ferry Service began opera- President by Hugh Desmond Hoyte. tions.

1986- The Stabroek News newspaper began publi- The Caribbean Examinations Council introduced cation. the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) to replace the British General Certificate of After the fraudulent 1985 national elections five Education (GCE) ‘A’ Level examination in its mem- political parties formed the Patriotic Coalition for ber countries, including Guyana. Democracy (PCD) to agitate for electoral reform and to seek international pressure on the PNC to hold 1999- Following the resignation on medical free, fair elections. grounds of President Janet Jagan, she was replaced by the then young Minister of Finance, Bharrat 1987- The Guyana Prize for Literature was intro- Jagdeo. duced with an initial Awards Ceremony. The Prize was to provide encouragement for the development 2000- The University of Guyana opened its second of good creative writing by Guyanese. campus at Tain, Port Mourant in Berbice, 31 years after the opening of its first campus at Turkeyen on 1988- The Economic Recovery Programme (ERP) the East Coast of Demerara in 1969. was launched by the government. Suriname gunboats evicted Guyana’s CGX oil rig 1989- Arthur James Seymour, poet and man of let- from waters off the Corentyne. ters, and one of the most distinguished personalities in Guyanese culture and literature died. 2001- Justice Desiree Bernard became the first female Chancellor of the Judiciary not only in 1990- Cambios began to operate under the Dealer Guyana and the Caribbean but also in the entire in Foreign Currency (Licensing) Bill of November Commonwealth. 1989. Rohan Kanhai Turn to page 21A STABROEK NEWS, Thursday, May 26, 2016 Page 21A Jubilee milestones: Significant developments... From page 20A In the November General and Regional Elections the PPP/C was returned to office for a fifthconsecu- Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis became the first tive term with Donald Ramotar replacing Bharrat Guyanese to win a world championship in profes- Jagdeo as president. The opposition, A Partnership sional boxing, the World Boxing Association (WBA) for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance for welterweight title. Change (AFC), collectively gained a majority of the seats in the National Assembly, an unprecedented 2002- Carl Hooper became the first Guyanese to development in the post-independence history of score a double century in Test cricket on homesoil. Guyana. His career-best 233 against India at Bourda is still the highest score by a Guyanese in aTest in Guyana. 2012- The joint opposition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance for Change The Mash Day Jailbreak when five prisoners (AFC) used their one-seat majority in the National escaped from the Camp Street Prison led to an Assembly to reduce the PPP/C’s initial budget of unprecedented spate of crimes in the country. $192.8 billion by $20.8 billion. These ‘cuts’ to the 2003- The University of Guyana had special virtu- budget were the first of their kind and were legally ally year-long celebrations for the 40th anniversary of challenged by the PPP/C administration. its foundation in 1963. 2013 –Several personalities who had made a sub- 2004- The Guyana Broadcasting Corporation and stantial contribution to Guyana died. These included the Guyana Television Broadcasting Company Harold Davis, a former Chairman of the Guyana merged to form the National Communication Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and former Pro- Network (NCN). Chancellor of the University of Guyana; Harry SarranRamsaroop, the director of the Dharm Shala; 2005- Serious flooding was experienced in Aubrey Bishop, former Chancellor of the Judiciary Georgetown and other areas of the coastland. and head of the Faculty of Law of the University of Guyana; Dale Bisnauth, a Guyana Presbyterian min- A new political party, the Alliance For Change Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis ister and former Minister of Education; and Pandit (AFC) was launched. It was headed by sitting parlia- Reepu Daman Persaud, the founder of the Guyana mentarians Raphael Trotman and Khemraj Ramjattan Guyana hosted Carifesta X after the government of Hindu Dharmic Sabha, the main visionary behind the from the PNCR and the PPP/C respectively. the original hosts, Bahamas, opted out of its commit- annual Deepavali motorcade and longstanding PPP ment to host the region’s premiere arts festival. member of parliament. 2006- The PPP/C won General Elections for the 2009- Berbician middle-order batsman Narsingh Venezuela evicted the oil exploration vessel the fourth consecutive time, following victories in 1992, Teknik Perdana 1997 and 2001. Deonarine became the first batsman to score over from Guyana waters. 1000 runs (1068) in a Caribbean regional first-class The Caribbean Single Market and Economy cricket season, breaking the record of 974 runs made 2014 – In May a Commission of Inquiry into the (CSME) was launched with Guyana and five other by the former Leeward Islands batsman Stuart death of Walter Rodney opened. states taking part. Williams in 2002. In November Parliament was prorogued by Two new technical institutes, the Upper Corentyne 2010- There were two notable achievements in President Ramotar in order to avoid a no confidence Technical Institute and the Essequibo Technical sports: Guyana won the inaugural West Indies vote by the opposition which was expected to bring Institute were opened. Cricket Board T20 tournament, thus qualifying to down the government and trigger fresh general elec- participate in the Champions League tournament in tions. 2007- The Cricket Stadium at Providence was South Africa. Aliann Pompey won a silver medal in opened, replacing the famous Bourda ground as the the women’s 400 metres at the Commonwealth 2015- The APNU+AFC coalition won the May venue for international cricket, beginning with this Games in India, complementing the gold medal she national general elections, bringing an end to PPP/C year’s World Cup matches. had won in the same event at the Games in 2002, thus rule since 1992 and ushering into office David becoming the first Guyanese representative to win Granger, the coalition’s leader as president. The United Nations Arbitral Tribunal on the twomedals at these Games. Convention on the Law of the Sea found the CGX rig ExxonMobil drilled a well offshore Demerara and had been operating in Guyana waters when it was 2011- There was significant expansion of sport in 2016 announced a major oil find. infrastructure with the completion of an Olympic- evicted by Suriname in 2000. The Tribunal fixed the Venezuela issued a decree claiming sovereignty size swimming pool at Liliendaal on the East Coast maritime boundary between Guyana and Suriname. over Guyana’s territorial waters off Essequibo. of Demerara, the construction of an all- weather tar- 2008 – Heavily-armed bandits invaded the East mac at the Guyana National Stadium at Provi-dence 2016 - The long-awaited local government elec- Coast Demerara village of Lusignan killing 11 per- on the East Bank of Demerara, the resurfacing of the tions, not conducted since 1994, were finally held. sons, including five children. Weeks later, similarly National Park Cycling Track in Georgetown and the armed bandits attacked the mining community of commencement of the all-weather synthetic track at Bartica, Mabaruma and Lethem were officially Bartica killing 12, including three police officers. Leonora on the West Coast of Demerara. named towns. Reflecting on the post-independent era: the elderly speak From page 14A fight to protect yourself now.” In the pre-independence days he said Joyce would celebrate 50 years indepen- Jones the men in the village used to play dence. I think things would get bet- cricket and the women used to play ter; the country would improve. It basketball. “The social problem we would just take time.” had is with the men drinking a lot of alcohol and start fighting. The George Austin, of Sisters Village, police used to come with baton and West Bank Demerara was just 15 they would respect them. The when the country gained indepen- police were six-footers; they were dence but he recalled that “things big and strong and they were not were different in those days.” “The corrupt then. Now, anybody is place was cleaner then and we police. never had to worry about putting “I was surprised to see they made locks on the doors. You could leave a lot of preparation for the 50th your doors open and go out. Now anniversary. I know the 50th had to you have to put locks because reach but I didn’t expect them to crime increase and now they are keep it up so big.” George Austin coming with firearm. You have to Page 22A STABROEK NEWS, Thursday, May 26, 2016 The Float Parade for Independence, May 28, 1966

(Photos given to Stabroek News by the late Godfrey Chin) STABROEK NEWS, Thursday, May 26, 2016 Page 23A The young speak on Guyana’s fiftieth

By Oluatoyin Alleyne have learned from what has happened, both the good and the bad.” The overwhelming majority of those who live in Guyana today were At age 11 Caysia Cambridge, a student of either not born at the time of Winfer Gardens Primary, believes indepen- Independence or were too young to dence meant that Guyana was free from being controlled by a King or a Queen. “We remember it. Stabroek News spoke to can be able to do things, make decisions on some young people and asked them our own.” She is excited about the celebra- what they thought about the jubilee tion because it is the first Golden Jubilee and and our fifty years of independence. “I don’t know if I would live to see another This is what they had to say: fifty years so I just want to be part of this one and enjoy.” “We have things to celebrate and I want us to work together to make Guyana Four-year-old Wyatt Adams from Buxton better.” does not know much about Independence but he is excited like many others, because he Fourteen-year-old Marinella Glasgow, a senses something in the air. When he heard fourth form student of Queen’s College, about the Independence celebrations, he described independence as making your own quickly said that he was looking forward to choices, being able to choose what you going out on May 26 and marching with his desire, to say what is good for you, what you classmates. He thought we had to celebrate would like to have to be a part of your life. being free and enjoy all our colours and “Guyana gaining independence meant that it friends. could now sing its own National Anthem, use our own flag, we have our own currency, our Eighteen-year-old Kobe Smith, an upper own president and our own ambassadors and Wyatt Adams sixth form student at the Bishops’ High members of Parliament and many other Marinella Glasgow School, was of the view that the citizens and things. We don’t have to go to England any leaders of Guyana needed to take equal more to say we need a new road and then blame for the country not being on par with they would decide whether or not they would others fifty years after gaining independence. give us a new road. We can get up today and “When I think about Guyana’s independence, say ‘hey we need a road and we make a road I think it was an amazing step that our past because we are not dependent on our mother leaders would have taken ‒ guys like Mr country, Britain any more.” Forbes Burnham, Dr Cheddi Jagan and also Mr Peter D’Aguiar. Those guys really ran The teenager told this newspaper that with the mantle and really led the way with come May 26th and even before that, she our Independence, because they thought that would be celebrating because she was elated we were ready for our independence and we about the fact that “we have conquered the were ready to make our own decisions. So we troubles of having to write many letters and hadn’t the need to depend on England to attend many meetings just to beg for our make our decisions because they felt that independence, just to petition for our inde- Guyana was at the stage where the country pendence… So after gaining that victory, I and its people were ready to lead themselves would call it that, when our three patriots [in a] positive way,” he said. went to England and represented our country He believes that the country was ready for after gaining that victory, I would see it is independence but “we got lost somewhere imperative that we celebrate their good work. along the way.” I would be celebrating the victory of 50 years and I would be attending the activities “I think it was an issue of vision because if planned for this period not only those you were to compare Guyana and Barbados ‒ planned by the government but those planned we are both fifty years old this year ‒ and if by the school.” you were to compare the two countries it Kobe Smith shows that Guyana is lagging. And for me it Tiea Figueira, 17, and a student of the Tiea Figueira has something to do with leadership; it has to Georgetown Technical Institute described do with vision, it had to do with something how proud she feels to be present to celebrate with the passion of its people and the policies the country’s fiftieth anniversary. “It is very that the governments would have taken. So I nice being here to celebrate Guyana’s fifty would say our leaders must take some sort of years of independence anniversary, and … responsibility for what has happened and I what persons have been doing around their think the people too must take some sort of community for the celebration is good.” She responsibility because they were the ones likes the fact that Georgetown has been who put the leaders there, they were the ones cleaned and she believes this is very special who choose.” to all Guyanese. “It would be nice to see everyone go out and participate as they usu- On May 26th Guyana can celebrate a good ally do and cooperate. It would be a great future, he says, and while the past was not honour to see the many persons who travel perfect Guyanese can celebrate being free, from overseas to see what Guyana has to being peaceful and the fact that their country offer now ‒ from 1966 to now.” is not threatened by any natural disaster. “I think we must celebrate the fact that our peo- At 12, Winfer Gardens student Tiola ple are freer than we were fifty years ago. I Gibbons does not want to be left out of the think we can celebrate the fact that we have fiftieth celebrations. She believes that inde- rights, I think we can celebrate the fact that pendence means freedom in life. Guyana’s we can be heard and we have a voice. I think independence means that the country is no this fifty years really brings no impetus to the longer governed by Great Britain and its nature of our society where we just sit down leaders can make decisions for the country’s and take whatever our leaders hand to us. So people. “I feel good about the fift[ieth] cele- I think this is really not just a great opportu- bration and I want to go out and see all that is nity for us to celebrate but that we would happening around this time.” Caysia Cambridge Tiola Gibbons Page 24A STABROEK NEWS, Thursday, May 26, 2016 The Float Parade for Independence, May 28, 1966