Caribbean Report 05-01-1994
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Date
1994-01-05
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The British Broadcasting Corporation
Abstract
This programme reports on the discovery of secret plot by the British Government's plot to overthrow Guyana’s 1963 government. It also looks at the life and career of popular cricket commentator, Brian Johnston, who died at 81. It also reports on the move the Guyanese government to establish a committee to review the evidence related to the death of Dr. Walter Rodney.
Description
Table of Contents
Headlines (00:00-00:38)
1. Leslie Goff (correspondent) reports on the contents of the secret papers which were revealed to the public regarding the British government view of the Guyana’s Prime Minister Cheddi Jagan and its role in Guyana’s course to independence in 1966. The words of British Colonial Secretary Duncan Sands can be heard reading excerpts from the secret papers. According to the papers Britain had no alternative to imposing its own terms to stop the racial rioting and general strike in the country. It is believed that both the rioting and strikes were widely believed to have been orchestrated by the British and American intelligence agencies. The report suggests that Britain had a hand in it he 1964 constitution and the proportional representation imposed on the country. Cheddi Jagan, who was in opposition at the time, can be heard saying the Guyana would not celebrate Independence because it was felt that imperialist, Britain, still had a stronghold on the Guyana. The voice of the Forbes Burnham who became the Guyana lead in the post independence era can also be heard. The secret cabinet papers of 1963 show that Britain was being supported by the United States, in its actions in Guyana (00:40-03:38)
2. Carol Orr interviews Cheddi Jagan, she asks him how aware he was at time (1960s) of the U.S. endorsed British attempts to remove him from office. Jagan said he had mentioned his suspicions about CIA involvement in Guyana’s political affairs to the National Assembly but was dismissed by the opposition. He said he now feels vindicated with the revelation of the US’ involvement in Guyana’s national affairs revealed in the secret papers. He said that the turmoil in the country was orchestrated from outside to give the British government an excuse to go back on their word that the victors of the 1961 government would take the country to independence. Jagan said Guyana sought help from Cuba. He discusses how he felt about their lack of support during the time from his Caribbean neighbours during the political troubles. However, Jagan indicated that he still look forward to assistance from Britain and the United States in restructuring Guyana’s economy (03:39-07:28)
3. Hugh Crosskill looks at the career of sport commentator Brian Johnston fondly referred to as Johners. Brian Johnston died peaceful in his sleep at the age of 81. For nearly half a century he was a leading member of BBC’s Test Match Special team and he never missed a broadcast through illness. Johnston began his career as a sports reporter in 1945 after serving in the Grenadier Guards (07:29-08:27)
4. Features an interview with Tony Cozier who had worked with Johnston for over two decades along with actual clips of radio programmes commentated by Johnston. Cozier talks about Brian Johnston whom he describes as a tremendous personality who had a great love of cricket and love of life generally, which came through the microphone. He was the heart and soul of the Test Match Special Broadcast team. He was a prankster who was popular with the female listeners in England. The report highlights some of the highpoints of the Johnston’s career. (08:28-08:50)
5. The final report features Shaka Rodney who expresses relief that the state was finally going to set up an inquiry committee to examine all the facts surrounding the death of Sir Walter Rodney which took place in 1980. The report features interviews with Cheddi Jagan and the attorney general of Guyana, Bernard dos Santos. Skaka Rodney believes that there is sufficient evidence for a commission of inquiry (08:50-14:14)
Re-cap of the Headlines (14:15-14:34)
1. Leslie Goff (correspondent) reports on the contents of the secret papers which were revealed to the public regarding the British government view of the Guyana’s Prime Minister Cheddi Jagan and its role in Guyana’s course to independence in 1966. The words of British Colonial Secretary Duncan Sands can be heard reading excerpts from the secret papers. According to the papers Britain had no alternative to imposing its own terms to stop the racial rioting and general strike in the country. It is believed that both the rioting and strikes were widely believed to have been orchestrated by the British and American intelligence agencies. The report suggests that Britain had a hand in it he 1964 constitution and the proportional representation imposed on the country. Cheddi Jagan, who was in opposition at the time, can be heard saying the Guyana would not celebrate Independence because it was felt that imperialist, Britain, still had a stronghold on the Guyana. The voice of the Forbes Burnham who became the Guyana lead in the post independence era can also be heard. The secret cabinet papers of 1963 show that Britain was being supported by the United States, in its actions in Guyana (00:40-03:38)
2. Carol Orr interviews Cheddi Jagan, she asks him how aware he was at time (1960s) of the U.S. endorsed British attempts to remove him from office. Jagan said he had mentioned his suspicions about CIA involvement in Guyana’s political affairs to the National Assembly but was dismissed by the opposition. He said he now feels vindicated with the revelation of the US’ involvement in Guyana’s national affairs revealed in the secret papers. He said that the turmoil in the country was orchestrated from outside to give the British government an excuse to go back on their word that the victors of the 1961 government would take the country to independence. Jagan said Guyana sought help from Cuba. He discusses how he felt about their lack of support during the time from his Caribbean neighbours during the political troubles. However, Jagan indicated that he still look forward to assistance from Britain and the United States in restructuring Guyana’s economy (03:39-07:28)
3. Hugh Crosskill looks at the career of sport commentator Brian Johnston fondly referred to as Johners. Brian Johnston died peaceful in his sleep at the age of 81. For nearly half a century he was a leading member of BBC’s Test Match Special team and he never missed a broadcast through illness. Johnston began his career as a sports reporter in 1945 after serving in the Grenadier Guards (07:29-08:27)
4. Features an interview with Tony Cozier who had worked with Johnston for over two decades along with actual clips of radio programmes commentated by Johnston. Cozier talks about Brian Johnston whom he describes as a tremendous personality who had a great love of cricket and love of life generally, which came through the microphone. He was the heart and soul of the Test Match Special Broadcast team. He was a prankster who was popular with the female listeners in England. The report highlights some of the highpoints of the Johnston’s career. (08:28-08:50)
5. The final report features Shaka Rodney who expresses relief that the state was finally going to set up an inquiry committee to examine all the facts surrounding the death of Sir Walter Rodney which took place in 1980. The report features interviews with Cheddi Jagan and the attorney general of Guyana, Bernard dos Santos. Skaka Rodney believes that there is sufficient evidence for a commission of inquiry (08:50-14:14)
Re-cap of the Headlines (14:15-14:34)