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Should 'Murca Pay Guyana Reperations...

 
WIfan26 2023-03-10 18:11:31 

Link Text

So it's true Burnham was a CIA operative wtf!!!!

 
SnoopDog 2023-03-10 18:41:01 

In reply to WIfan26

Here is a better and more credible source.

SUBJECT:

Proposal for Support to the People’s National Congress Party of Guyana

1. SUMMARY

Prime Minister Forbes Burnham of Guyana, who has previously received covert assistance from CIA, requested that the Agency provide $10,000 a month for two years to support his efforts to build his party, the People’s National Congress (PNC), into an effective, permanently organized political party. Ambassador Delmar Carlson [text not declassified] recommend approval of this request in the amount of $5,000 per month for two years, with the understanding that Burnham be aware that the subsidy would be reviewed at the end of the first year and could be terminated if the PNC had not made satisfactory progress. Burnham has been told that we are seeking policy approval for the $5,000 monthly subsidy.

Assistant Secretary Charles Meyer concurs in this proposal.
[Page 2]

2. PROBLEM

To support Prime Minister Burnham’s efforts to maintain and strengthen the PNC as a well-organized party that can continue to serve as a bulwark against Cheddi Jagan’s accession to power in Guyana.

3. FACTORS BEARING ON THE PROBLEM

a. Background

The United States Government determined in 1962 that Cheddi Jagan would not be desirable as the head of government in Guyana. CIA was instructed to provide guidance and support to the PNC and to the small, conservative United Force (UF) party in the 1964 election campaign. These two parties formed a coalition after the election and took over the government, with Forbes Burnham becoming Prime Minister. New elections were scheduled for December 1968 and, as a result of a 303 Committee decision of 7 April 1967, CIA was again instructed to support the PNC and the UF. In the 1968 elections the PNC used its control of the government to pad the electoral rolls and win a slim majority of the vote. The official results gave the PNC 30 seats in the legislative assembly, the People’s Progressive Party (Jagan’s party) 19 seats and the UF 4 seats. Leaders of the PPP and the UF attacked the elections as being dishonest, but their charges had little effect in Guyana and stirred almost no
[Page 3]
interest abroad.

b. Origin of the Requirement

In February 1969 Burnham asked [text not declassified] for a subsidy of $10,000 a month for two years to help him establish the PNC on a permanent basis. (NOTE: He had made little effort after the 1964 contest to put his party on a permanent footing.) Burnham indicated he would use this subsidy to maintain a small corps of paid PNC organizers, to keep open essential sections of the central party office, and to continue party information activities as needed.

After considering Burnham’s request, the Ambassador [text not declassified] concluded that a subsidy was desirable and $5,000 per month for two years would adequately meet the PNC’s requirements. In addition, [text not declassified] recommended it be agreed with Burnham that the subsidy would be reviewed after one year and could be terminated if the PNC had not made satisfactory progress toward establishing permanent party machinery. Burnham understands that we are seeking policy approval for this subsidy.

c. Relationship to Previous 303 Committee Actions

The Special Group granted approval for CIA to provide financial support to the [text not declassified]
[Page 4]
in 1962 and 1963 and CIA was instructed to support the UF and the PNC in the 1964 elections. On 7 April 1967 the 303 Committee approved a proposal to support the UF and the PNC again for the 1968 elections. Subsequent progress reports described in detail the successful action taken by CIA under this decision.

d. Operational Objectives

(1) The objective of this proposal is to support the PNC’s efforts to become a permanently established and well-organized political party that will be able to contest the next national elections under optimum conditions.

(2) There is no evidence to indicate that Burnham has made any significant inroads into the East Indian electorate so far. If present population and voting trends continue, Burnham would lose to Jagan in an honest election. Thus one should look at this subsidy as a means of improving the PNC’s ability to turn out all possible pro-Burnham votes.

e. [text not declassified]
[Page 5]

f. Risks Involved

There was no exposure of United States Government or CIA involvement in the 1964 and 1968 elections. The only significant adverse publicity arising from the 1968 elections was aired on two television programs in Britain in December 1968 and January 1969. The telecasts revealed discrepancies in the voting in Guyana and charged that the voting of over-seas Guyanese in Britain (and to a far lesser extent in the United States) was rigged. The broadcasts did not mention
[Page 6]
any involvement by the United States Government or CIA; they had little impact and were more than offset by the generally favorable coverage provided by most news media.

Jagan of course has a long history of publicly accusing CIA and the United States and British Governments of opposing him and aiding Burnham. We can expect these charges to continue, but with little effect.

Although the personnel involved will exercise all due caution, it is impossible to eliminate every risk attached to a covert operation of this type. However, given the moderate amount of the subsidy, the small number of people involved [text not declassified]

g. Contingency Plan

We can rely on Burnham to use whatever resources are available to him, including those in the Government of Guyana, to cover up or limit the compromise or disclosure of this operation. [text not declassified]
[Page 7]

4. COORDINATION

a. The American Ambassador to Guyana, Delmar Carlson, and the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs, Charles Meyer, concur in this proposal.

b. [text not declassified]

5. RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that the 303 Committee approve a subsidy to the PNC of $5,000 per month for two years with the understanding that at the end of the first year the subsidy would be reviewed and could be terminated if the PNC had not made satisfactory progress toward establishing a permanent party mechanism.

Source: National Security Council, NSC Intelligence Files, Country Files, Guyana, 23 May 1969–6 February 1973. Secret; Eyes Only. A handwritten note at the bottom of the first page reads: “Approved by the 303 Committee on 17 June 1969 with a proviso re additional source of funds (see minute).”↩ The memorandum contained proposed objectives for U.S. covert aid to Guyana with emphasis given to strengthening Burnham’s People’s National Congress Party. It recommended continuing the same level of secret support.

 
WIfan26 2023-03-10 18:47:29 

In reply to SnoopDog

Oh sku** thanks wonder if me bai Burke guh show Hakeem this twisted

 
WI_cricfan 2023-03-10 18:48:23 

America's meddling in Guyana is no different from what they did in Chile to Salvador Allende

 
Brerzerk 2023-03-10 18:52:46 

They'll build you up and just as quickly chop you down. Noriega anyone?

 
Curtis 2023-03-10 22:25:13 

What really pisses me off is the denial of the PNC that this actually occurred

 
Curtis 2023-03-11 16:24:02 

If we were to count the number of countries bought out like this, the number might surprise some

 
SnoopDog 2023-03-11 19:30:19 

In reply to Curtis

If we were to count the number of countries bought out like this, the number might surprise some


Or not.

Both Jagan and Walter Rodney told people that Burnham was a CIA stooge and that they enabled his continued dictatorship.

It’s also amazing the deathly silence from some on this MB now that their godfather has been exposed and all doubt removed about his treachery and abject corruption.

 
BeatDball 2023-03-11 19:45:36 

Wasn't Dr Jagan leaning hard towards musscoe!?
Wasn't that the primary reason... confused

 
googley 2023-03-11 20:26:28 

In reply to BeatDball

Thats how it was sold.

 
Curtis 2023-03-11 21:10:50 

In reply to SnoopDog

That's the frustrating part of attempts at real unity, failure to accept the truth.

Therapy needed for all.

 
DirtyDan 2023-03-13 18:15:49 

That explains why Burnham used to win with majorities in the elections...he even suggested he didn't need the CIA help for that...

wow

surprised that that party still around - some die-hards, I guess

 
WI_cricfan 2023-03-13 18:53:05 

It’s also amazing the deathly silence from some on this MB now that their godfather has been exposed and all doubt removed about his treachery and abject corruption.


Larr and De good Dr gone fishing. Dem seh fuh seh hi

 
camos 2023-03-13 20:09:48 

In reply to WIfan26

Should 'Murca Pay Guyana Reperations...



They not paying you for the oil, is Reparations you want? lol

 
Titleist 2023-03-13 20:50:27 

In reply to SnoopDog

I once suggested there should be a truth and reconciliation commission to discuss openly what transpired during the Burnham dictatorship without repercussions…akin to what what was done in South Africa. The suggestion was disparaged by a couple of prominent Guyanese posters. Some of these posters can be reasonable in every which way except when it comes to elections in Guyana.

Guyana is not likely to fully move forward and realize its full potential unless there’s an open and honest discussion of what Burnham unleashed on the Guyanese people. I believe many from both major ethnic groups benefited, which needs to be exposed. The rampant corruption today has its roots to the Burnham regime.

 
sudden 2023-03-13 22:24:36 

So who was funding Jagan?

 
Curtis 2023-03-13 22:50:50 

In reply to sudden

Burnham

 
SnoopDog 2023-03-13 23:15:36 

In reply to Titleist

It's too late now for a TRC or on the flip side, criminal prosecutions. If a TRC was to happened it should have been just after 1992 when the PPP won the first fair elections since the Burnham dictatorship.

Many of the individuals of the colonial and post-colonial era governments were still alive at that time and their first hand testimony and/or requests for amnesty would have been germane to the hearings and the ultimate goal of a TRC to bring about national unity.

But that ship has sailed and what we have left are the vestiges of colonialism and dictatorship. It's also arguable whether a TRC would have brought about national unity or some sort of collective healing. To this day, many South Africans, both Black and non-Black, take the view that their TRC was a failure. Many wanted justice, not reconciliation.

 
Titleist 2023-03-14 00:54:15 

In reply to SnoopDog

I get your point that the timing might be too late for a full fledged TRC. However, what transpired then is still an open wound that few in leadership positions want to talk about. I am inclined to think without some sort of discussion and acknowledgement the current distrust between the two major parties will remain in effect for a long time to come. Trust in the government is especially needed at this juncture given the oil money flowing into Guyana.

It’s debatable how effective the TRC worked in SA. Blacks have made some incremental gains in their standard of living even though whites still largely control the economy. What is clear though is that the TRC probably prevented the country from degenerating into something similar to what happened in Zimbabwe.

 
WestDem 2023-03-14 01:38:42 

Fake thread and a very fake one… Allyuh guh long though, let me not interrupt lies and foolishness… see ya cool

 
WIfan26 2023-03-14 01:48:35 

In reply to WestDem

Thanks bud is this chap you???

Link Text

 
Curtis 2023-03-15 12:25:52 

The truth is an offense but not a sin!
Is he who laugh last, children!
Is he who win
Is a foolish dog bark at a flying bird!
One sheep must learn, children!
To respect the sheperd!

Remember reading Jagan's claims of CIA , of Allende, etc.- great to be able to close the loop with the truth.

Guyana paid a steep price, like every where else.

 
CricSham 2023-03-15 12:51:44 

In reply to WIfan26
Thank you for highlighting this sordid affair in Guyana’s history. Truthfully anyone of our generation knows about this and knows that it’s true but many also are in denial.

 
WI_cricfan 2023-03-16 13:59:09 

In reply to WestDem
Allow me to get to elaborate on Burnham and the PNC’s penchant for electoral banditry and economic mayhem.

For the former, I draw on Professor J.E. – Greene’s “Race vs Politics in Guyana” published by ISER, Jamaica 1974. In this important book, Greene provides evidence for early developments in what would become the signature of PNC politics – election rigging.

Greene demonstrates how the Representation of the People’s Act (196cool was used to help rig the elections of that year. One aspect of the Act was to allow overseas registration and voting.

The Opinion Research Centre (in England) found that only 10,000 of the 43,000 voters registered were credible. A particularly egregious case of overseas voter fraud occurred in Wolverhampton.

The (PNC) registration man there, a Mr. Joe Hughes, could only account for 41 of the 200 persons on the voters list (Greene, 1974, p. 2cool.

A second technique of Burnham for voter fraud was padding of the voters’ list. Between 1961 and 1964, the number of voters moved from 246,120 to 247, 604, a mere increase of 1,484. Yet, between 1964 (when Burnham took power) and 1968, the voters list moved from 247, 604 to 297, 404, an increase of over 50,000 new voters in four years!

Rigging the proxy vote was another of LFS Burnham’s “brilliant” technique of electoral banditry. In 1961, there were 300 proxies; in 1964 – 7,000, but by 1968 that number jumped to 19,297. The Americans were terribly worried about the extent of rigging Burnham had planned for the December 1968 elections.

Link Text

 
DirtyDan 2023-03-17 21:41:51 

In reply to WI_cricfan

Forbes also made use of the GDF to handle ballot boxes