| PNC Press Releases etc. |
Editor's Note: On December 3, 2002, three men were arrested by an army patrol at Good Hope on the East Coast of Demerara. The army patrol had gone beyond the area it was supposed to patrol (Buxton vacinity). The three men are: Shaheed Khan (aka Roger Khan), Haroon Gahya, and policeman, Sean Belfield. The vehicle they were found with carried bullet-proof windows and inside was an arsenal of high-powered weapons, night-vision goggles and a laptop computer capable of intercepting cellular calls, placing locations of callers, and providing digitized maps of Georgetown and certain East Coast villages including Buxton. All there were subsequently freed of all charges later.
Recent events still unfolding after the chance discovery of a cache of arms at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara have had a chilling effect on the entire nation. Our worst fears and suspicions have been confirmed that there exist in Guyana death squads operating both within and without the ambit of the law enforcement agencies, and at the behest of the PPP/C regime. The implications are too grave to be ignored and tell of a diabolical plot to hunt and exterminate not only criminals but also anyone showing opposition to the fascist regime calling itself the PPP/C. It is necessary for the sake of clarity to set
out in chronological order the facts as they present themselves
while being aware at the same time that there may be a few missing
pieces which members of the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police
Force and some citizens and persons who are not members of either
Security and Law Enforcement agency may possess. These series of events, when taken in totality, provide compelling evidence that there exists a programme of state sponsored terrorism, and planned genocide in Guyana. Information in the possession of the PNCR is to the effect that the operations of the so-called Phantom Squad is sanctioned and coordinated by key members of the PPP/C working in collaboration with known drug barons and criminals. They have formed themselves into an axis of evil. What is most disappointing is that information is emerging which suggests that the arrival of this computer into Guyana and its known capabilities was made possible after a request was made by the Guyana government to the US administration for “technical assistance” in the fight against crime. The US government could not possibly have allowed advanced and security sensitive technology to be brought to Guyana unless there was an assurance given by someone within the regime that it would be utilized by the law enforcement agencies. Therefore, to have this computer firmly in the hands of criminals and drug barons is to court danger both for security operations in Guyana and the United States. What may have been represented as a crime fighting initiative has been exposed as a plot to silence any form of dissent or opposition to this evil PPP/C regime. The PNCR is overwhelmingly convinced, after analysing the information in our possession and the evidence discovered which determined the motives of the existing illegal squads, that the regime and its collaborating assassins have developed a diabolical plot which target leading members of the PNCR and other members of civil society. In short, the PPP/C and its cohorts have declared war on the PNCR and were hoping to make certain pre-emptive strikes. As things stand the Jagdeo administration has been caught red-handed and will not be allowed to succeed. The PNCR warns that it will not stand idly by should any attempt be made to harm any member of its executive, membership or friends of this Party: we will respond. These actions unfortunately come at a time when the Social Partners, the Commonwealth Secretariat and other well-meaning groups and citizens have been working assiduously to forge peace and to foster a conducive atmosphere for dialogue to recommence. The PNCR can only conclude that the PPP/C is not interested in peaceful and prosperous co-existence but in dominance and subjugation through bloodshed. The PNCR will not allow this matter to be covered up with the evidence disappearing, as in the case of Beast on the East Coast who had the cache of weapons returned and every effort to prosecute him frustrated. Our Party trust that the Guyana Police Force will be professional and be true to its motto of providing protection and service to all the people of Guyana. We trust that the Guyana Defence Force will maintain its tradition of professionalism since its leadership cannot fail to appreciate the national security implications of this situation. We expect the United States and other foreign governments will take note of the evidence of planned genocide in Guyana. We urge our members and supporters to remain
focused, vigilant and mobilised. PRESS STATEMENT
Policemen
Arrested That these men were released and not charged as yet must certainly rank as the scandal of the year. The acting Commissioner of Police is yet to explain to the Guyanese public why these men are still at large and why he continues to be in gross dereliction of his duty to prosecute them. PNCR understands that the acting Commissioner has applied for an extension of his tenure for another six (6) months from January 1, 2003 and that the PPP/C regime, ridiculously enough, has indicated an intention to grant it. We hope there is no connection between these two matters. The PPP/C regime is clearly embarrassed by the discovery of this illegal arms cache, since many questions, so far unanswered, have arisen and there are serious implications of a government involvement in the matter. The regime appears therefore to have mounted a desperate campaign to cover up this crime and prevent the prosecution of the persons involved. We dismiss with contempt the explanation leaked in today’s Stabroek News (Friday December 13, 2002) that the Commissioner of Police is waiting for the Army ranks who intercepted some of the men and discovered the arms cache and also certain Police Officers ‘to refine their statements’. This is utter rubbish. We hope that the Chief of Staff and the Guyana Defence Force, who have so far acted honourably and professionally in the national interest, pursuant to their oath of loyalty to the Constitution and to the nation, would not allow itself to become tainted by this scandal. PNCR does not intend to stand idly by and allow the PPP/C regime to cover up this crime which has such grave implications for the rule of law, the safety of citizens and national security. We therefore call upon the acting Commissioner of Police to be mindful of his oath of office. He must show sufficient backbone and professional integrity to discharge his statutory and constitutional responsibility without fear or favour and have the men charged in accordance with the advice given by the lawyers in the DPP Chambers, which advice he has chosen so far to ignore. The credibility of the Guyana Police Force is already in tatters. If any shred of the remaining credibility is to be saved the acting Commissioner of Police must discharge his duty immediately and not yield to political pressures. People’s National
Congress Reform __________________________
* It is more than two weeks since the arrest of
the several felons found armed to the teeth with prohibited weapons.
However, the instruction handed down from Freedom House and the
Office of the President simultaneously is that under no circumstances
should these men be charged. The high tech spy computer must have been bought
with the approval of the PPP/C Government of Guyana despite Dr.
Luncheon’s denial. It has been confirmed that Shaheed Khan is protected
by the Government though he is wanted by the FBI in the United
States for crimes involving prohibited weapons. The truth of the Guyana Police problem is that
the government does not intend to appoint Mr. Winston Felix as
Commissioner of Police. The PPP/C propaganda on the crime communiqué is all the more disgusting when we reveal the fact that it was the PPP/C who introduced the so called ‘Rohee rule’ which in essence states that the PPP/C insists on the right to renegotiate any aspect of the communiqué even if it was previously agreed. THE GREAT “PHANTOM SQUAD” SCANDAL It has now been over two weeks since the arrest of the several felons found in the armoured vehicle, armed to the teeth with up-to-date prohibited weapons and other military equipment, as well as sophisticated and specialised computer and other electronic gadgetry. These persons have not been prosecuted despite the public cries of outrage from all thinking and responsible quarters of the society. It is mind-boggling that the authorities claim that they still cannot determine one single charge to bring against these men. The PNCR is reliably informed that the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions promptly rendered their advice on this matter. They were firmly of the opinion that a range of charges should be laid. The PNCR is also reliably informed that there has been tremendous political interference and pressure brought to bear on the hierarchy of the Guyana Police Force not to prosecute these men. The instruction handed down from Freedom House and the Office of the President simultaneously is that under no circumstances should the men be charged. Constable Belfield has claimed in sworn affidavits that he was at the time of his apprehension on a “special assignment”. We ask the questions that are on the lips of every citizen: * Whose “special assignment” was the
infamous Constable Benfield of the Black Clothes on? Why was the arsenal of up-to-date prohibited
weapons and sophisticated specialised illegal equipment utilized? Who or what was the intended target for this
lethally armed and specially equipped squad? Why was it necessary to link with known felons
like Shaheed Khan a.k.a Roger Khan and the “Contractor”
to carry out this assignment? Why has the Guyana Police Force, which is the
constitutional authority responsible for law enforcement, not
acknowledged that they authorised and conducted special assignments
such as that which it is claimed were being conducted? Why has not a single charge been laid against any of those arrested to date? THE SPY COMPUTER The PNCR reiterates its claims that the hi-tech computer was obtained from the United States of America as a result of Government-to-Government request. We support our claim by stating that the manufacturer has been identified and the specifications obtained. The system can, among other things, “target specific numbers or randomly screen GSM mobile communication. Conversations are monitored and logged simultaneously to voice and data logger for storage and retrieval”. This computer could not have been bought at a price of US$450,000 without the approval of both the Governments of Guyana and the United States. We quote from the manufacturer’s user requirement to this effect, “We may sell the unit only if you represent a government or law enforcement agency or are selling to a government or law enforcement agency in your country…We will 100% verify it and also require a letter certifying that.” The effect of the above statement is that the computer could not have been bought without the approval of the PPP/C Government of Guyana. Therefore, Dr. Luncheon was being less than truthful when he swore that the Government has no knowledge of this computer. The Commissioner of Police (Ag.) may have been honest when he said, in answer to a Journalist’s question recently, that the Guyana Police Force is not engaged in the unlawful and unconstitutional activity of phone tapping and interception. MR. SHAHEED KHAN A.KA. ROGER KHAN and “THE CONTRACTOR” Available and confirmed information indicate that the person calling himself Shaheed Khan has a chequered past. He is said to reside in Guyana in the Bel Air/New Haven area. He claims to operate two companies in Guyana: Dream Works Development Inc. and Classic Developers & Contractors. In Affidavits in support of the Habeas Corpus application to spring him from detention it was attested that he is the managing director of these companies and is a building contractor. The PNCR is in possession of documentation which show that in 2002 September Mr. Khan swore to a declaration that the Companies Dream Works Development and Classic Developers & Contractors ceased to exist as they carried on no business whatsoever. He requested that these companies be exempt from payment of taxes. Yet, in 2002 December, Mr. Khan is using his status as a director of those very companies to have himself released from lawful custody. Mr. Khan has obviously perjured himself. It has also been confirmed that Mr. Khan is wanted in the United States for crimes involving prohibited weapons. Let us see whether he too will claim to be on “special assignment” as a defence. In any event the PNCR and the people of Guyana expect that he will be charged and prosecuted in a court of law in Guyana. The hierarchy of the Guyana Police Force should be ashamed of themselves. They seem to be squandering whatever remains of their credibility by not pressing charges against these men, using the strange excuse of “refining” the statements of the GDF ranks. Over the past weeks the media has reported several instances of persons apprehended with illegal firearms and ammunition. They have all been charged and placed before the Courts. This should be the norm in any country where the Rule of Law is supposed to be supreme. We call on the remaining decent, professional and conscientious members of the GPF to be faithful to their constitutional mandate and reassert their authority under the Laws of Guyana. PRESS STATEMENT _____________________ Names
of PNC Members on the "Hit" List? It might be observed in passing, that these revelations sent segments of the PNCR into full paranoid mode. Mr Robert Corbin at a press briefing on Thursday muttered darkly about a Government plot in relation to a hit list whose names included members of the PNC leadership, and warned of dire consequences if anything untoward should happen to a party member. Well, even if members of the governing party were of murderous inclination - which they are not - they are certainly not suicidal, and for that reason if for no other, would hardly be disposed to engaging in anything as apocalyptic as thinning out the ranks of the PNC hierarchy. In any case, there is no evidence at present that this is a ‘hit list’ per se, or alternatively, that all the names on the list are there for the same reason. Least of all could it be asserted that the existence of the names in and of itself constitutes evidence of a ‘government plot.’ Be that as it may, the only thing Mr Corbin’s
excursion into the realms of fantasy has achieved, is to distract
from the serious questions which first need to be asked in this
case, before any firm conclusions can be arrived at. And the most
important of these questions is why the three men involved, one
of whom was a police officer - plus two others arrested subsequently
- haven’t been charged yet. They are currently on bail,
and in an affidavit in support of an application for a writ of
habeas corpus, it was stated that the policeman among them was
on special assignment. _______________________
WHO IS IN CHARGE? THE GOVERNMENT OR THE DRUG GANGS? All of the recent crime and public security developments have confirmed what the PNCR has been saying for some time (see Press Statement of January 6th, 1999) without the Government seeming to be hearing or understanding our proposals. Instead of the regime acting expeditiously to address our constructive proposals, they have sought to distort, misrepresent and vilify them. The PPP/C’s folly, corruption, ineptitude and incompetence has now imposed on this long-suffering nation the very stark and frightening reality, meekly admitted by the acting Commissioner of Police and Dr Roger Luncheon, of “… the criminal gangs and the drug cartels operating…” and being evidently in control of the crime and security situation. It is now a national imperative that Freedom House and Mr Jagdeo should admit to the nation that their complicity and studied inactivity is solely responsible for getting the country into this sorry mess. They must accept their culpability and act immediately on the PNCR’s proposals which are here repeated for their benefit. ü We believe that the current security situation is so serious and so threatening to the existence of the state that it requires a national, non-partisan, consensual response at the highest level. ü We are convinced that there can be no
improvement in the situation without a thorough and effective
inquiry into the operations of the Police Force, which would take
evidence and views from all competent persons, including the Force
itself, and make recommendations for its strengthening and modernisation. We call on the authorities to fully investigate the circumstances which led to the death of these two men and trust that an early coroner’s inquest would be ordered. In the meantime, we express our sympathy to the families of the victims. The PNCR has publicly welcomed the initiative by the Social Partners and the recognition that the very dangerous national crime and security situation can only be effectively resolved within the holistic framework of resolving the issues of good governance. The PNCR pledges its commitment and full support for their efforts, which must be pursued in the context of the recognition by all parties of the seriousness of this matter and the need for urgency in arriving at a national consensus on the way forward. WHERE WAS THE INVISIBLE MR GAJRAJ? The residents of Georgetown were rudely awakened in the early hours of Monday (2002 October 28) morning by a series of intense gun battles by “…rival criminal and drug gangs….”. All of this was taking place literally on the doorsteps of the Minister of Home Affairs who had become strangely invisible and silent. It was left to the hapless acting Commissioner Macdonald to call a Press Conference to admit that he and the Guyana Police Force were not in control of what was unfolding as the open and very public display of the weaponry and effrontery of the rival gangs and out-of-control elements of the GPF. The shamelessness of the incompetent Mr Gajraj was amply demonstrated by his public appearance, almost 24 hours after the Guyanese People witnessed the brazenness of the drug gangs, to attack the media for misrepresenting his absence from public view. Does Mr Gajraj know that he is responsible for public safety and internal security? We expect Mr Gajraj to take the only decent course available to him and resign forthwith. The Government must immediately appoint Mr Winston Felix as the substantive Commissioner of Police and relieve the GPF and Mr. Macdonald of the cross they have had to carry under the weight of Mr Gajraj. The Commissioner of Police must be unfettered
by political interference and manipulation in the discharge of
his constitutional mandate for the management of the Guyana Police
Force By the People’s National
Congress Reform
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2001 Guyanaundersiege.com |