Friday, July 27 2007

THE EDITOR: What of the events of July 27, 1990? As we mark the anniversary of the 1990 attempted coup, the question that will be raised again is: when will there be the Commission of Inquiry into the events of that terrible chapter in our country’s history? Seventeen years have now elapsed and no clear explanation has ever been given as to how or why the security services were caught in the dark on that fateful evening. Also, what of the conduct of some key political figures of the time, senior police officers and from amongst us the citizens who called for “death to Robinson”? Will these answers go a-begging for another seventeen years?

What of the position of the Prime Minister on this most relevant issue? Why has he dismissed the heart-rending calls from all sectors of the national community for an investigation of the attempted coup d’etat, with the shortest research finding on the matter: ‘people have forgotten.’ Is the nation to hang its head in ignominy on this day? Or go to work, play and drink and hope that — so be it — such a distant thing will not recur? What about the international phobia with terrorism and its threats? Having experienced it once are we now immune to it? The eternal pain by relatives whose loved ones were gunned down during those bloody days? Is all that in vain?

The time has come for an inquest. But apparently the will of our leaders is mired in self-denial, fear and guilt. However, as a wise man once said “Dung thrown into the river, will not dissolve, but will float right up to the surface.” My faith is that an inquiry will be held. If it takes another seventeen years of waiting so be it.

JEROME CHAITAN

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