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Subject: An email received on Shridat Ramphal

nandlall wrote:

When we ever learn! Have any of you walked in Ramphal's shoes to know what his life is like. I am very saddened by the closed mind of people who can spew such negative and hateful
views. When will we ever learn!!!!!!!!!

Nandlall, BA.

Subject: An email received on Shridat Ramphal

Sent: June 16, 2003 6:32 PM

Sorry to share the email above so late. Every time I tried to delete it, like a force acting on me , NOT to. Like I was forced to pass it through the group after storing it in my draft folder for about 10 weeks. The email came about from the statement - Crooks of the India Diaspora - that displayed on my websites.
(my shoes are different from Ramphal. He is a CROOK and me is no CROOK)

Some more facts below:
--Through most of Burnham reign, civil liberties were largely eliminated
--There was systematic erosion of human and political rights
--The judicial system was contaminated with political influence
--Press freedom was curtailed
--Travel restrictions across the country were imposed
--Political parties and trade unions protested but their actions were
equivalent to throwing water on duck's back

When Burnham died, Guyanese rejoiced Sir Shridath Ramphal helps with the construction of Burnham's era.

Sutley
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It wasn't just 1964 that bad things happened. It was throughout Burnham's reign of terror on the East Indian population of Guyana, and another 7 years of Hoyte. Look what they did even after the last FAIR elections! It's not easy to forget the past. The WISMAR MASSACRE did happened!. And many Guyanese living abroad and in Guyana, who remember it, are merely in their forties. So it won't be easily forgotten.

Indra

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It is unfortunate to note that the discussions about Ramphal's role in Guyanese politics is taking an unholistic and a historical position. it is many have already done. Some may even go to the extent of saying that these Indians were the real master brains behind the marginalisation of Indians during Burnham era.

But all these accusations have a common point to save the then Guyanese opposition party PPP and the self proclaimed savior of Indians in Guyana . The most important question is that What was Jagan and his party doing all those 28 long years . The kind of docility which the PPP and Jagan showed was as cruel or criminal as those Indians who supported Indians .

Moreover what was Indian Government doing to Indians in Guyana . Was it not Mrs. Gandhi the greatest supporter of Burnham ? One must recall the incidents of Swami Chinmayanand ji's Guyana visit where Swami was asked to leave Guyana by Pundit council for opposing Sanatist view that only born Brahmins are eligible for conducting rituals . who saved Swamiji ?

If one looks at the writing of Cheddie Jagan and doings of Forbes Burnham one can hardly find any differences . What Cheddie prophesied Burnham practised . There are ample proof to this such as nationalisation of sugar industry .

Why majority of educated Indians who came out from plantations could not work with Cheddie . Why PPP accused persons like JB Singh and others colonial stooge ?

There is a need to reexamine the role of Indian men in Guyanese politics . I mean men because Indian politics was always dominated by men .

The monolithic communist view of social progress and Cheddie Jagan's ambition to emerge as a revolutionary leader along the lines of other South American leaders, in effect , played into the hands of pan African racist Burnham . One must read between the lines .There were several
instances throughout Burnham period where one can easily see Cheddie Jagan extending tactical support to PNC rule .

So any discussion on Indian marginalisation during Burnham period cannot absolve PPP and its leader . Selective criticism has a personal agenda . It cannot be considered as a radical view to look at the present or past .

Regarding attacks on Indians and the Indian protest against it , those who are interested should look at the letters written by a Christian gentleman Harrichand Bhola from his Vreeden Hoop under his organisation Guyana East Indian Association during 1980s . The contribution of Walter Rodney , Eusi Kwayana and Roopert Roopnarine also must be looked at .What was the role of the official opposition during the dark days Burnham rule ?

The point is one must look at the entire question of Indian men in Guyanese society . How they were socially and psychologically suffered from various forms of indignities in the plantations , how they were denied opportunities in the post indenturedship period , to achieve social status
and positions how the educated Indians compromised community interest . Addressing such questions would help us to understand not only Ramphal or Cheddie Jagan but even contemporary Guyana politics.

Suresh (Researcher in India)
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Hi All:

Brother Suresh has raised a few relevant points re: Ramphal's role in Guyana's politics. Rather than condemning SS Ramphal (SSR), some of us should look at our own past. Other than empty rhetoric, what have we done to help the Indian cause. But worse still, others have just walked away and turned our backs on Guyana and things our Indian people stand for.

I for one have never agreed with SRR's politics. I vividly recall that when Indians accused Burnham of racism and discrimination, guess who was defending the PNC unblemished dictatorship at the UN? Yes, you guessed it. It was our f(r)iend SSR (Sir Shridath Surendranauth Ramphal) in his capacity as Guyana's Foreign Secretary.

But I do admire his brilliance and accomplishments as a world leader and as a statesman. As a fellow Indian, I am proud of him.

Yes, it was the PPP and its leaders who wanted nothing to do with middle class and upper class Indians--who were considered the enemies of the "people". Apparently, the socialists were afraid of intellectuals and people with brain power!

Remember what the PPP have done to Mr. Balram Singh Rai? How they manipulated the Party elections to get Brindley Benn "selected' and Rai cheated? And how they went on to demoralize and demonize this true Indian stalwart? And how the PPP continue to this very day to suck up to all the other races, but choose to remember their Indian supporters only at voting time?

When shall our people open their eyes? With due respect, when will some of us open our own eyes? Brothers and Sisters, think again. Among other things, you earn the respect and admiration of others by what you write.

With respect to all.

Roop

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I have to ask this question – is Mr. Misir the lawyer who is supposed to be practicing law in Canada? Is this the same individual who was Treasurer of the Pandit Council/Maha Sabha in Guyana during the Burnham era? If this is who I think it is then I have to question his comments. I feel that they are tainted because of his affiliation with the likes of Cammie Ramsaroop and so on. If I am wrong then I apologize to Roop.

Guyana produced more talented people than Ramphal – how about the Ramsahoyes? How about the Jagans? How about Bhairo and his brother – the Persauds from Berbice? How about Doodnauth Singh? And the list goes on…………..

Ramphal is not a world leader. He was placed as head of CARICOM etc., at the behest of Burnham. I recall in 1990 I was in London, England picketing at Grenada House and Ramphal and company just laughed. They went in and next thing you know the police arrived and asked everyone to move across the street to picket. This is a world leader? A genuine leader would speak to his/her people and listen to their concerns. A genuine leader would listen and ensure that his culture is not bastardized. Ramphal like Luckoo achieved because he had a benefactor. That is the man who rewrote the constitution, amended many laws in order to incarcerate Indians and force them to give up their hard earned possessions. That is the man who forced the daughters of many to become sex slaves similar to what the Japanese subjected many Philipino and Korean women to.

I know about Dr Balwant Singh because he is my cousin. I know about B. S Rai because he was my uncle too. Don’t presume to tell me about what they were subjected to. Yes the PPP’ philosophy was more of a socialistic nature and LFSB took advantage of it and subjected people to it but Dr. Jagan never in any day denied Indians of their heritage. He never one day subjected Indians to the dehumanization Rampahal and associates did. Dr Jagan never abandoned his culture. It surprised many to hear at his eulogy that he listened to singers such as Pradeep. In fact his favorite song is Pinjari Ké Panchhi Ré. Blame the PPP? No Sir, blame the Indians who were in a position to stop the subjugation of their people. Blame the organization such as the Pandit Council, Maha Sabha, etc., who threw their support behind LFSB. Where were they when Dr Singh had to broadcast from Surinam? Forget the job, the party had its own objective there, but the ability to conduct a radio program was blocked too. Who benefited from that program? It was the Indian populace. And the story unfolds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ramphal should not only be arrested. He should be tried in the Hague for crimes against humanity.

Ram Singh

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Gentlemen and Ladies

Sir Shridath Ramphal was and continues to be irrelevant to the Indian Demise in Guyana . The PPP sent most of the Indian Intellectuals and Professionals either packing out of the country or they were sought out by Forbes Burnham to enhance his govt . If Indians are to point fingers let them point to those who supported the PPP so all these years until they realized the PPP is the Cause of the Indian demise . Indians have to wake up and stop pursuing Political Ghosts and start organizing and mobilizing Indians for their protection and defence . In the early 1960's the PPP started their campaign to rid the party of any and all brave , fearless , intelligent Indians with strong leadership abilities and all , ALL , the Indians bought into their Propaganda , but do I ridicule Indians for this err , NO! because the masses of Indians at the time were still politically naive . Even if the PPP and PNC are able to achieve some relief from this violence , Indians must not allow themselves to be such easy , willing and facilitating prey . Indians have to organize now before it is too late again .

Varuna

Sir Shridath Ramphal like Sir Lionel Luckoo achieved because he had a benefactor. That is the man who rewrote the constitution, amended many laws in order to incarcerate Indians and force them to give up their hard earned possessions. That is the man who forced the daughters of many to become sex slaves similar to what the Japanese subjected many Philipino and Korean women to.

He was NOT used, he was a member of the team Dil Pardesi Ho Gayaa Luckhoo Jagdeo_Atlanta

Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2003

Subject: Re: [Guyanese] Re: Atrocities in Guyana

Last month, Sir Shridath recieved Belize's highest national award. No matter how you twist it, the man is a GENIUS

Nizam

===

Are you kidding? He was a genius CROOK .

Energizer

To: ssramphal@msn.com

Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2003 8:29 AM

Subject: Atrocities in Guyana

Dear Mr. Ramphal,

The world today seem to be expressing extreme love and respect to you. In fact the Indian Government just recently honored you Sir.

I imagine Guyanese the world over should all be proud of what you have achieved and the honor being bestowed upon you, however I personally feel ashamed that you have been so honored.

Mr. Ramphal, the disdain I feel for you is because of the actions, the activities you participated in during the reign of terrorism under a heinous dictatorship that sought to demographically destroy anything "Indian", It is laughable that the Indian government of today honors you Sir when as a senior member of that government it was you who rewrite the constitution to guarantee Mr. Burnham Presidency for life; it was you Sir, who amended laws that incarcerated many Indians; it was you Sir who aided by legislation, the atrocious robbery conducted against Indians of their properties.

Sir, as one of the senior most member of that dictatorship, you sat idly by (maybe you participated to a certain degree for personal enjoyment) as the daughters of the Indian people were raped to satisfy the lust of your greedy and lecherous leader.

Sir, the honor lauded on you by the Government of India should be returned because you allowed Indians to be destroyed by Burnham and associates. Of course I do not expect you to take the podium and acknowledge any of this because after all, you are guilty as charged.

Ram Singh