Heightened; but the GDF was not part of this movement and many were the mistaken
ideas being canvassed about the imagined role of the Force. In April
1970, the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment had mutinied and of course
it was widely known that other armies in Africa, which had a similar
British background to that of the GDF, had been involved in disturbances
over the previous ten years. It is unnecessary to attempt to argue
whether these incidents were just or unjust; what was quite clear
was that unless the army understood what the government was trying
to do and sought to participate fully in its programme, there was
bound to be collision between the government and the army. There
were too many examples in Africa and Asia and the Trinidad affair
in the Caribbean confirmed this with alarming clarity.
On 26 October 1970 the Prime Minister, who was, and still is Minister of Defence,
spoke to the Officers of the Force about their future role in national
and political affairs. In summary he called for:
Loyalty to the Government: based on an appreciation of the philosophy of the PNC government. This philosophy was one of socialism and was opposed to capitalism.
Responsibility to Society: by becoming involved in national and community development projects such as working on the road project and developing farms for production.
Leadership in the Community: by setting an example to other citizens and giving inspiration to the efforts at National Unity and mobilisation rather than trying to become an elite group.
Loyalty to the Government: based on an appreciation of the philosophy of the PNC government. This philosophy was one of socialism and was opposed to capitalism.
Responsibility to Society: by becoming involved in national and community development projects such as working on the road project and developing farms for production.
Leadership in the Community: by setting an example to other citizens and giving inspiration to the efforts at National Unity and mobilisation rather than trying to become an elite group.
Maintenance of Discipline: based on an
egalitarian outlook while adhereing to the principle of function superiority.
This discipline should express itself in ti attitude to one's work.
The GDF had come to the cross-roads in its life. On a side was the 'old road' with its ease and detachment fro the political movement. Ahead was the 'new road' whit called for hard-work and public service. During the ear years, the objective conditions of the military demand) the urgent establishment of an efficient Force. In a sans the army at that time was serving its apprenticeship and d emphasis was on learning the job of soldiering. Now, sell process being completed, it was appropriate to move to higher level of consciousness and social awareness. As entire nation, Guyana too was in a period of apprenticeship from 1966-1970, but when the country became a Republic it was time to advance further and move rapidly towards self-reliance.
True enough change had to come; the reactionary ideas which had been brought over from the Colonial Police and Volunteer Forces by Officers and men joining the GDF and from Officers travelling abroad had put down deep root Chief among these ideas was that of 'Neutralism' - the feeling that soldiers should be free to embrace any sort political philosophy and like mercenaries, be ready to sec anybody, group or government, refusing to commit themselves to the party and ideology that was supported l the broad masses of the Guyanese people.
11 POLITICISATION
To emphasise the importance which was to be placed c political mobilisation in the GDF, the Prime Minister
The GDF had come to the cross-roads in its life. On a side was the 'old road' with its ease and detachment fro the political movement. Ahead was the 'new road' whit called for hard-work and public service. During the ear years, the objective conditions of the military demand) the urgent establishment of an efficient Force. In a sans the army at that time was serving its apprenticeship and d emphasis was on learning the job of soldiering. Now, sell process being completed, it was appropriate to move to higher level of consciousness and social awareness. As entire nation, Guyana too was in a period of apprenticeship from 1966-1970, but when the country became a Republic it was time to advance further and move rapidly towards self-reliance.
True enough change had to come; the reactionary ideas which had been brought over from the Colonial Police and Volunteer Forces by Officers and men joining the GDF and from Officers travelling abroad had put down deep root Chief among these ideas was that of 'Neutralism' - the feeling that soldiers should be free to embrace any sort political philosophy and like mercenaries, be ready to sec anybody, group or government, refusing to commit themselves to the party and ideology that was supported l the broad masses of the Guyanese people.
11 POLITICISATION
To emphasise the importance which was to be placed c political mobilisation in the GDF, the Prime Minister
