Significant contractual overhaul is out of the question
Dear Editor,
Reference is made to the articles entitled, “Opposition offers support for govt. when facing Exxon ”and“ The absence of a united front allows oil companies to exploit our differences —Patterson ”(SN and KN respectively, February 27). At last, and he is a screamer from a public site that causes blinking, given that it took so long. If it’s authentic and represents a full commitment to taking the fight to the corporate exploiters and partisans, then I’m all for it; I like the thought, the language, and the essence of what I believe is embodied ‘face down’. I repeat where I stand below.
For this country to stand in the spirit of chance in its battle for a fair foundation (to be “ready for a better deal”) with Exxon, it must be the most robust monolithic entities.
There is no other way: it must be one, where this oil and gas wealth is concerned. I will say this further, although I am aware that it may be wishful thinking: an unchangeable standard of grappling and relentless in challenging, standing up, staring down, and overcoming (in part, to be sure) ) Exxon could set the blueprint for how we approach other areas of our natural resource endowments.
I’m all for it. Although it took the longest time to get as much as a specter from the opposition, it is, and if it is enthusiastically and honestly welcomed by the government, if handled prudently at the strategic and tactical levels, the rest will follow. Something will have to give, and from the direction of outsiders.
From my perspective, a significant contractual overhaul is out of the question; but through a process of dog and dog attrition we can (collectively) labor decisively to erode the stubbornness of Exxon’s head honchos. We can face their arrogance and smugness together. No contract in the world can conquer the will of troubled and determined people; especially those who feel deceived and shamed.
And if the PPP government is genuine in seeking material that breaks down some of the more strenuous provisions in the contractual arrangements with Exxon, then progress can be made. The last thing the movers and shakers at Exxon, the strategic planners and calculators, want to see develop here are people united and mobile, because they believe they have been exploited and ‘ u change them shamefully.
Editor, I think this move first puts the spotlight on the PPP government, and leaves it bound, given what I believe to be its quiet and cunning leadership bonding with Exxon.
Today, however, is not the time for that, and I hold back any doubts, rolling any criticism. I should also submit that I entertain strong doubts about the depth of the coalition opposition proposal, but time and developments will confirm or disprove what the purpose of the two political majors really is, and how they will seize (or not) the opportunity to work. together and presented a united and seamless front. To paraphrase Napoleon: the corporate sword that hangs over this society, and weighs heavily against its every move, could always be defeated by a true and zealous national spirit. It begins and continues with sound and fearless, political leadership.
On a separate note, I see this long awaiting opportunity to do things in front of our opponents who have divided and controlled by torturing and opposing each other. Further, a unified political front organized against massive corporate power sets the bar that determines where our so-called civil society is and our professional class and landed nobility and commercial interests. The challenge would be profit against patriotism; the prosperous bottom line of a rich cash flow, against what is good and best for the country and the citizen.
I close by setting this on the table: the insights that come from wise foresight are better than the best hindsight. By now, retrospect should have taught us the error of our ways and the fragile decay prevalence evident from our thrilling posture when pitted against the corporate powers of the world.
We can do something about that, and that offers a chance for the restorer to grab. I urge it should start now. Every Guyana should prepare for a tough battle, and an unbounded fight with Exxon.
Truly,
Lall GHK