6
GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday January 13, 2014
GUYANA
Elated at nabbing of drug trafficker at CJIA EDITORIAL
WHEN I heard the news of a Canadian man arrested by the Police Narcotics Branch at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) with a large quantity of cocaine in his possession on Tuesday, January 7, 2014 I was elated. What was more outstanding was that this man was not Guyanese in transit from Trinidad, on his way to Toronto, Canada. The fact that the airport security team was able to nab this man after he had already passed through screening at the Piarco
International Airport, Trinidad, is quite remarkable. Congratulations on a job well done. This most recent incident will help to elevate the confidence of passengers passing through the airport, letting them know that a stringent security team is on duty. Over the years, I have read about CJIA heightening security checks, enhancing their profiling techniques and improving their intelligence gathering and this most recent drug bust is testimony to that.
As the drug traffickers get wiser, the security team of the airport and all other ports of entry in Guyana are challenged to become even better at what they do. It is most assuring to see that they are stepping up to that challenge. I have read stories in the newspapers of persons trafficking drugs in eggplants and ochroes, pumpkins, cabbage, star apples, fried rice, rum, cosmetics among others. This is very worrying to me. It leaves me asking what next?
As these incidents increase, security teams at the airport should begin to look into more innovative ways to better their procedures and detection system. The security team of CJIA must continue to be shrewd and firm in the execution of their duties in a professional and efficient manner as the country strives to combat this international problem of drug trafficking.
A champion of democracy Terry Holder-a man passes on with a heart of gold WHEN the return to democracy in Guyana looked extremely bleak and hopeless, there was finally light at the end of the tunnel in October 1992 and Dr Cheddi Jagan’s optimism and determination were vindicated. And on this note many have forgotten that he worked tirelessly on both the local and international fronts in the long and epic struggle to have the return of democracy. It is because of his persistent efforts at the international level that we were able to have the intervention of the influential and internationally respected Carter Centre, founded and headed by former US President Jimmy Carter, which played a pivotal role in our country having a free and fair election on October 5, 1992, which paved the way for the return of democracy here and Dr Jagan becoming Head of State which was painfully denied for nearly three decades because of rigged elections and dictatorial rule. But what many do not realise is that the Carter Centre came as a result of persistent lobbying by Dr Jagan via the Paul Reichler law firm of a major US Congressman, including the late Edward Kennedy. One of the major accomplishments by the Carter Centre was ensuring that there was counting of the ballots at the place of poll, which was a key element in ensuring the integrity of the balloting process, which was vehemently opposed by the then President Hoyte who described it as “logistical nightmare.” But while President Carter understandably so, was in the limelight most of the time with respect to the work of the Carter Centre, there was a “turbine” working steadfastly and selflessly behind the scenes in his quiet, reserved and efficient manner to ensure his organisation achieved its goals and objectives. That “turbine” was Dr Robert Pastor-a true champion of democracy and democratic values. He was an extraordinary man combining a career of scholarship, teaching, and public policy in government and in non-governmental organisations. He was National Security Advisor for Latin America (1977-81) and has been a consultant to the Departments of State and Defense. Before coming to America, Dr. Pastor was Goodrich C. White Professor of Political Science at Emory University, and from 1985-98, he was a Fellow and Founding Director of the Carter Center’s Latin American and Caribbean Programme and the Democracy and China Election Projects. At The Carter Center, he founded and served as the Executive Secretary of the Council of Freely-Elected Heads of Government, a group of 32 leaders of the Americas, chaired by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. This Council had mediated elections in more than 30 countries around the world.
“Mr. DEPENDABLE”, “Cool cat”, “raconteur”, “humanitarian”, “motivating leader”, “sheer class” , “a number one in a number two” . These descriptions are but a small sampling of how the late Terry Holder was viewed by many persons of all walks of life. With admiration, I watched this virtuoso do “his thing”, his accomplished way, while I closely interacted with him at the Guyana Manufacturers’ Association (GMA) now GMSA, and later, the USAID/ GHARP project via the Private Sector Advisory Board on HIV/ AIDS- which birthed the Guyana Business Coalition on HIV/ AIDS (GBCHA); long acclaimed as a leading example in the Caribbean, of how donor-funded project outcomes could be sustained after closeout. At both the GMA and GBCHA, Terry served as Vice-President and Vice-Chairman respectively; very content to walk a step behind, while simultaneously functioning as the wind beneath the wings of elected or appointed leaders. He was unquestionably an acknowledged hero in the arena of organisation dynamics, mainly because of the finesse with which this distinguished Guyanese embraced, and naturally executed the concept of servant leadership. And yet, he was comfortable in displaying a proclivity for the emotional frailties which demonstrate manly strengths including those that perpetuate unadulterated, lasting loyalty and affection. I shall refer to two examples. In mid-June, 2007, Chris Fernandes, Terry Holder and I travelled to New York to attend among other activities, the Global Business Coalition on AIDS, Awards Presentation Dinner. We were joined by Kwame Asiedu GHARP’s chief of party and Sylvia Delafield, GHARP’s private sector advisor who was instrumental in the GBCHA having access to the prestigious event at a very concessionary Following the historic October 5, 1992 election, Dr Pastor remained here for some time to ensure the consolidation of democracy and during this time, worked extremely hard and dedicatedly. He will certainly remain in the annals of our history as one who made a significant and pivotal contribution to the return of democracy. But he did not only help the democratic cause: he also worked assiduously towards improving relations between the US and Latin America which has been acknowledged by former US president Bill Clinton: “As my adviser for Latin American affairs on the National Security Council in the White House, he helped to reshape our country’s relations with our Latin American neighbours and secure democracy and human rights throughout the Region. After he left the White House, he continued this work at The Carter Center, leading for more than a decade critical peace and election observation missions and advancing the idea of a united North American community. Because of his vision, boundless energy, and political skill, the Western Hemisphere is more democratic and developed today. We extend our condolences to his family.”
MARVIN BLACKMAN
price- far, far below the 10,000 dollars per plate paid by some guests. During the day, the three of us took a walk in downtown Manhattan. Terry did not turn up at our pre-arranged assembly point outside Macy’s for the trek back. So after waiting for some time Chris and I went back to the hotel. About three hours later, in comes a beaming Terry, full of excitement. “Guess who I just ran into and had a long conversation with?” he asked. Chris and I remained silent. I suppose like me, Chris had the dilemma of narrowing down the guessing game to groupings of personalities connected to either Rotary International, Sports- mainly cricket and athletics, the world of communication, Caribbean integration, private sector organisation, media and the list goes on. So eventually Terry proudly announced with glee, “I had a good gaff with my dear friend Wordsworth Mc Andrew”; still bubbling, he added “I am going to ensure I keep in regular contact and also formulate a programme to guarantee he gets the requisite support he needs.” I stared at Terry in admirable awe as reality sunk in: This man with a heart of gold was displaying more excitement over reconnecting with a friend than the euphoria which consumed us in anticipation of having dinner and breathing the same air later that evening with international “superstars”, led by former US President Bill Clinton, along with Sir Richard Branson, Jamie Foxx, Charles Barclay and other NBA greats. I surmised by his prolonged elation that, for Terry at that moment, his trip to New York acquired more significance in “finding Wordsworth” than the prospect of “Dinner with Bill”. In late 2004, I resigned my position with the GMA to contribute directly to the national response to HIV and AIDS. Terry sought me out to discuss in detail the rationale for my move. Toward the end of our conversation he suggested arranging a farewell ceremony. I firmly disagreed and he backed off. However, he emphasised I could call on him at any time for support in my future endeavours; a promise he so consistently upheld, that it would take a book to adequately capture many of the instances. Suffice to say, Terry’s word was without a doubt, his devoted bond. My departed friend and mentor was persistent in the pursuit of positions he adopted which overwhelmingly, bode no ill will against his fellow man. The GMA Annual Presentation and Awards Dinner (APAD) 2004 was held a few days after my resignation was accepted. While standing in the foyer outside the grand Savannah Suite at The Pegasus during the event, Terry approached me in a polite but no-nonsense manner, saying: “I cannot in good conscience allow you to leave without publicly saying something, you are the first executive director . You presided over a successful institutional strengthening project of the Association,.....”. He continued to reel off a set of accomplishments in quick succession. Thereafter, he immediately made an about face in military ramrod fashion and started for the door to rejoin the proceedings. After taking about three quick steps, he half turned, with that trademark smile, looked me straight in the eye, and, displaying his penchant for etiquette and decorum, quipped: “And by the way, don’t forget to button your jacket when the MC calls you to the front.” I extend a heartfelt sympathy to the family and sorrowing relatives of the late Terrence Ormonde Holder. May His soul rest in peace! DERRICK CUMMINGS