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7/20/1967 - Guyana: A Developing Nation by Francis Foland

INSTITUTE OF CURRENT WORLD AFFAIRS FMF I Georgetown Guyana Guyana A Developing Nation July Mr Richard H Nolte Institute Current World Affairs Madison Avenue New York New York I0017 Dear Mr Nolte I shffted forth along grassy canal running center High Street Georgetown checking viewer scene framed trees power lines The subject photoTaph ubilant masterpiece colonial achitecture wooden frame house robin piercing three stories pinnacles ables cockscomb spire graced loggia gothic arches bedecked ibrios every angle Just I ready ample woman flaming dress crossed bridge foreground BELOW On Guyana north coast South America right Main Street Georgetown The capital Guyana below level protected elaborate defense Some which drained filled boulevards shaded flowering saman trees I released shutter We smiled I complimented buildings Within three minutes inviting You countryside pretty green You anytime Mistress Craig I around people Her black swirl smile friendly rounded features Seeming smaller narrow brimmed straw perched square typical headgear Guyanese women You catch front Stabroek Market driver Moca East Bank Drop ahead I Mistress Craig Moca East Bank It sugar country should before Ieare We parted friends catch I tinue Sunday afternoon orientation stroll Mistress Craig quickest invitation I found every Guyanese eager friend sincere manner And Guyana happy mulation generous hospitality helpfulnessfrom street highest government official ABout thing United States about former British Guiana flamboyant Communist leader named Cheddi Jagan compounded Castro headache U S Govern early This little nation which gained independence May deserves attention To Guyana developing world microcosm As nation leaders exhilerated popular government teeter demagoguery their manipulation masses It country whose export earnings depend agricultural products whose balance payments staggers under burden foodstuff imports evelopment fever administrative overhead charges consume revenues Guyana plagued major bottlenecks progress stability unemployment shortage C apital Unlike other sovereign states South America continued century under colonial tutelage In Unlike South America scores The Guyanese sometimes describe their country island continent surrounded three sides It English speaking enclave traditions values which constantly jolted Latin oriented tanalysis The powdered judiciary remain symbols respect courts magistrates Bribing policeman despicable beyond thought either enforcement officer lawbreaker policeman public assistance being resisted execut refusal comply punished INSTITUTE OF CURRENT WORLD AFFAIRS Frances M Foland maker lecturer wrlter Latin American subjects awarded Institute fellowship program study travel research Brazil other South American countries general subject social change modernization This first newsletter R H Nolte Education prime value middle class parents selves throughout their lifetime order their children girls alike England United States university training Pri school attendance cumpulsory enforced truancy officers education usually largest service budget total Although Guyanese incomprehensible patois which among peers usually speak Oxford English reminis aristocracy The literacy In further contrast areas Northeast Brazil cultivation sugarcane rational efficient operation based labor force which adequately remunerated benefitted social services Ferti lizers fully utilized machinery generally World War II vintage However start unfortunate similarities which Latin America As continental neighbors Guyana lifeblood depends overwhelmingly exports types agricultural extractive Food crops their products composed almost export earnings supplemented another mineral ABOVE Panning diamonds Small operators called knockers search diamonds gravel sands Pakaraima Gold panned Guyana The other major minerals bauxite manganese As Latin American nations Guyana economy highly vulnerable disproportionate dependence sugar Almost trade credits monoculture whose world price unstable beyond Guyana control Out total national population least directly dependent agricultural industry which leans subsidies alive Gutting sugarcane plight Guyanese laborers since Dutch driven Brazil first implanted century Applying their consummate skills defense constructed elaborate system dikes ditches kokers water fertile accretionary soils along coast As always encompassing exensive crops sugar demanded labor force whose composition profoundly affected societal country For century African slavery which provided muscles Europeans formed plantocracy English replacing Dutch purchase Conscience pangs bloody revolt English abolish Guyanese slavery The effect plantations stretching Essequibo Corentyne Rivers crippling Africans eager break association slave vacated sugar estates their small plots To survive sugarmen thrashed world labor markets couple decades indentured laborers India Docile frugal working today foundation Guyana rural economy The Africans numerous aggressive looked East Indians pariahs reduced doing slaves Due labor shortages economic crises estates merged proprietorships English firms cultivate Guyana sugarcane Bookers London giant processing almost When Guyana British Guiana familiarly referred B G truth these initials often construed Bookers Guiana Another English conscience after World War II greatly improved living manditions sugar worker His exceeds yield hospitals schools housing Bookers operation rational concerned welfare nation successful Guianisation executive staff It cooperating govern program deolonisation small growers these independents produce But plantation psychology permeates society hindering modernization country agricultural economy Although subsidized under Commonwealth Sugar Agreement which could Bookers plant oriented toward sugar which continues consider promising moneymaker pressured nomic circumstance newly independent government begrudgingly considers small diver sification OO0 acres TO THE RIGHT Loaded sugar punts Bookers estate Cane lands stretch along coastal plain which below level Main tenance intricate system irrigation drainage costs I0 U S Salt water seepage sucrose content terrain increase production costs The government eager country interior population lives coast square miles largely unknown But pioneers settle The Africans compose third population gregarious attracted pioneer Undertakings migrating cities The Est Indians number OO0 better Guyanese But those taken route merchants traditional agriculture ceive crops neither suited inland climate soils sugar Cultiva yield crops intensive basis strange Again plantation psychology reveals itself orientation peasant proletariat Generations dependence system quelled initiative Small scale homesteading Rupununi savannas south largely hardy Scots Irish raise cattle under primitive conition Over exploitation accessible resources characterized colonial Guyana exception In tropical countries unexplored reaches temptation especially great colonizer native presuming there always where comes In contrast country Japan advantage sharp awareness limited resources therefore necessity protecting maximizing But South America suffered centuries abuse forest destruction partial productivity E1 Dorado belief infinite riches Now modern surveys Guyana similar nations revealing indeed small country terms potentials habits changed A economic discipline interjects itself political euphoria Though leading politicians grest advantages higher educations first knowledge democratic system their pursuit power cannot resist temptation exploit inexperienced polity Not peculiar Guyanese politics campaigners overblow their promises faction against another But country Guyana dangerous which politicians managed beyond point peril before drawing reestablish equilibrium The exacerbated incipient paternalism racial tensions In country which needs badly buckle exigencies development peoples weakened illusion government every thing When population small colony protected British Empire needs those child Perhaps coastal wished local revenues available largess beseeched Crown All reasonable entreaties answered But Guyana politically independent yearns supporting population proliferates almost almost under years The burden producing sector heavy Politicians promises crisis rising expectations because rising unemployment almost Real imagined differences emphasized pluralistic society becoming poorer longs necessities It therefore unfor tunate protagonists political scene Gheddi Jagn Forbes Burnham chosen divide their forces along racial lines East Indians Jagan Africans Burnham Since governme under administration Prime Minister Burnham Mistress Craig short friendly encounter first James Stafford friendly encounter His story tells plight political economic statistics built We walked talked together after hailed could assistance He looking young early So His intelligent expressively contoured animated though opaque suggesting dormant jaundice condition Guyana often called races Africans East Indians Chinese Portuguese European Amerindian Stafford blooded representative African He highly culate store information vocabulary cultured voice implying university education though I learned reached school special training motor mechanics He unemployed months From school directly Her Majesty Forces intending career shortly after Guyana independence disbanded He turned construction highway being built U S A I D between Georgetown Mackenzie misappropriation funds discovered there retrenchment along others Next tried Bookers estates politically inspired strikes employment experienced hands would rehired before would considered The Guyana Airways seemed promising possibility mechanical skills their uipment reduced pittance amphibian craft operative service whole interior Mechanics therefore being Though birth upbringing training decided apply credit order stake agricultural 1enture government agency demanded collateral could produce When I asked where would there answer Even supports government feels doing under circum stances certainly alternative Jagan African He first inform things Guyanese officials later corroborated Besides facts economy Bookers domain Venezuela dispute foreign bauxite holdings political manipu lations sides called attention accurate Burnham attempt assuage East Indian population adhering recom mendations Commission Inquiry appointed International Commission Jurists Crux Commission report urging increased recruitment East Indians police defense forces civil service These tradmnal bailiwicks African ulatto groups Though Stafford critcize government d6ing voice concern increased Indian numbers these decisive units would enhance Jagan strength future elections The political balnce delicate There three parties signi ficance People Progressive Party PPP Dr Jagan supported largely East Indians number population People National Congress PNC Prime Minister Burnham dominantly African representing about third population Uited Force F Mr Peter D Aguiar representing Portuguese business communities The election under newly established system propor tional representation which dissipated voting strength incumbent PPP worked advantage other parties Dr Jagan party received votes could vernment therefore coalition PNC votes UF There considerable manipulation violence leading election Besides usual political ambitions there compelling reason fervor times national international levels Dr Jagan Marxist rhetoric friendships The PPP power seven years British Guiana between Jagan Burnham allied leaders until Yet these years opportunity Dr Jagan initiated significant program which smaoked Communism I asked several active present government readily attested moderate policies Some reforms since consummated United States effected fields education behind scenes squabbles suggested collective solutions agricultural problems But telling criticism government undertook radical socialist measu contrary tended words plans without bringing fruition Jagan folloers understandable resentment machi nations leading defeat means proportional system elections They continue active alert always loyal oppotion awaiting another chance elections early ABOVE The Sea Defense Of railes coastline Guyana protect railes means costly Recent hydro graphic studies possible predict where breaches might accur according cycles erosion accretion Pictured gabion baskets being filled boulders seaward TO THE RIGHT Bauxite Mining Following sugar bauxite major export Guyana It mined shipped Aluminium Canada Reynolds Metal Co Largest deposits around Mac kenzie Demerara River In ph0to walking removes heavy burden increases duction By I Sirpaul Jagan cocktail party second Guyana Handsome charming agreed reservation reach famous brother The morning I talked Dr Jagan telephone although agreed asked first articles written would basis conversation A titles I received gives their subjec matter U S Intervention Guyana CIA Money CIA Thought Control Hand CIA Apparent Greek Military Government Sets Machinery Rig Next Election PPP Will Fight Election Fraud The argument running through these papers U S Government having decided Jagan dangerous power first pressured British Government establish system propor tional representation CIA financed abetted Burnham victory partic ularly through trade union channels To support charges quotes writings Arthur M Schlesinger Jr Victor Reisel Drew Pearson coverage Associated Press The New York Daily News testimony before Sub Committee House Representatives Most materials reprints Georgetown publications their content common knowledge average informed Guyanese I forewarned Dr Jagan winning personality smooth talker session yourself little information substance Because publications I pared tirade about U S imperialism I appointment office Freedom House frame building stories bookstore occupying street level I taken directly small partially enclosed office where behind short sleeve sports shirt There little except photograph Fidel Castro sidewall Though heInvisiblel Gove_rnmen_ shelf directly behind fairer complexion features typically East Indian dominated under heavy brows voice I I articles found interesting conce economic social development rather international matters For discussed internal affairs Guyana scarecely mention U S imperialism To unemployment three thrusts education culture industry First believed keeping young people school possible He explained government school reform which people Guyaa agree thing Formerly federal government built schools salaried teachers policy teacher selection pupil admittance under control Christian rches which administered Dr Jagan resulted biased curriculum discrimi nation against uslim Hindu teachers children Therefore govern schools built federal funds converted fully public institutions Sixteen elementary schools scattered throughout country expanded schools increase opportunities FNF I I0 secondary education Teacher training centers enlarged Guyana first university founded Georgetown Jagan pointed present government altered Some these programs Checking I found probably schools because insufficient staff funds university leftist elements In agriculture tried increase opening lands giving incentives small farmers produce This latter accomplished through ernment mrketing installations which guaranteed farmer price those crops which needed expan produce retail market prices aimed encouraging consumption But current government abandoned program incentives purchase prices dropped consumer prices advanced A report Food Agriculture Organization marketing spent years British Guiana corroborates Jagan descrip subsidy program under administration E L Levie Israel The subsidization price support policy intended ultimately increase diversify agricultural production increase supply local consumers develop marketing cooperative lines In addition promoting import substitution prevention excessive importation which grown country development agricultural exports The supports covered plaintains sweet potatoes cassava eddoes annias cabbages blackeye peanuts other vegetables In addition supports farmers planting those crops asterisks received bonus BWI O0 U S O0 However Levie found necessarily ensuing deficits quite beyond resources Treury government program BWI O00 He criticized mechanism major counts I unrealistic price support policy which impedes organization operating service basis inefficient operation absence adequate control skilled management technical freedom action extent adequate facilities their neglected upkeep The third thrust against unemployment mentioned Dr Jagan industrialization Noting little progres field during admin istration We stymied industrial development Because views foreign loans investements small Also terms unsatisfactory there competition foreign capital small underdeveloped country income IIF I holidays imports tariff protection rates invest concessions unlimited remittance profits strike If willing company terms easily another little wants So Industrial Development Corporation which Only attract stimulate ndertake industrial ventures This government removed undertake Corpor ration charter As increase Guyana GNP dismissed misleading since population growth wiped inflation another He lamentedthe general administration budget services projected observed because additional charges resulting loans incurred Burnham government federal budget available services Dr Jagan figures refuted those I checked It observed however major expenditures normal devel oping countries matter administration borne To balance report interview Prime Minister Burnham would useful However during Guyana Ganada visiting Expo negotiating trade terms All agree Forbes Burnham powerful personality A barrister educated England reputation scholar His oratory called Churchillian I confront ation between Jagan Burnham Prime Minister triumphs skill language legal argument Dr Jagan dentist educated United States The government speak MY Prime Minister respect question leadership ability In leading national elections early there be_another critical strength forces Boh leaders possess great charisma By sheer numbers would Jagan majority population being East India However scaredoff Indians important strength rural areas Checks balances within current political scene Burnham number advantages incumbency system proportional representation control cities overwhelming urban African element support trade union movement civil service Furthermore Dr Jagan charges basis truth presumed United States Great Britain would entirely neutral should there threat Jagan victory Because rallied formidable opposition forces Dr Jagan crippled killed political career rhetoric which exceeds purpose Tha future bring Es Indian Prime Minister seems assure prolific working people The BUrnham government taken certain concrete steps assuage sector benefit economically although impartial observers lament Prime Minister appointed doyen Indian community Ministry Party loyalty probably along ethnic lines responsible leaders maintain competition peaceful democratic basis society avoid permanent schism Improved economic conditions would certainly alleviate tension In terms political economic social Guyana developing world microcosm In closing I would thank people Guyana helped learn about their countr Mistress James Stafford Pat Forte Co ordinator Power Development Survey Ministry Works Hydraulics daughter Steven A Angoy Permanent Secretary Binistry Agriculture Natural Resources David DeGroot Parliamentary Secretary Office Prime Minister Robert Jordan Minister Agriculture Natural Resources S S Rmphal Attorney General Minister State Cheddi Jagan Leader Opposition Edward Beharry Industrialist Martin Carter Minister Information Gavin Kennard General Manager Guyana Development Corporation Antony Tasker Chairman Resident Board The Booker Group Guyana Pat Thompson Executive The Booker Group Guyana Diane McTurk Press Public Relations Officer Guyana Sugar Producers Association staff Enmore SUgar Estate Very special mention opened doors Elsa Mansell Guyana Diplomatic Corps Richard P Jones Delson Gordan New Y Sincerely yours Frances M Foland Photos Guyana Information Services Received New York August