BB-2-xxx
May 26 Meeting with [Vibert] Mingo: Mingo said [Lloyd] Barker said we were not under investigation following the incident in which our people were taken in and interrogated. He wanted to get further details so he put a call in to Skip Roberts. To show you how organized and effective the government is– our people (Debbie and Terri) met with Roberts before Mingo heard from him. This is Saturday morning and I’m still not sure that he has talked with Mingo yet. At any rate, Roberts confirmed that there was no investigation. But he said to Debbie and Terri that our people would have been detained (in jail I presume) had he not intervened. When they told him about our people being taken in he said “Rightfully so,” because of their sleuthing around. He said we should tell him when we have a problem like this because Paula always did. He was busy and said they could come back Tuesday to look at our file. Roberts also said Mingo was embarrassed over the situation with Kathy Hunter. I’m sure this was true because he even looked embarassed when we met with him Friday morning. He said he presumed that his instructions to get her out would be followed through. I told him he should have followed through and he would not have a bigger headache as it turned out. He was in no position to be defensive. He told us that he realized we had been let down. When we brought out everything she was doing and showed him pictures of Stoen’s demonstration and letter I had began to write to him about Debbie Blakey’s situation he said, “You’ve got a lot of forces against you. I now see why you are more nervous.” I told him that even though we didn’t expect the conspiracy to become so intensive, it could have been thwarted had quick action been taken in certain situations (e.g., TOS [Tim Stoen] & [Kathy] Hunter). I said they would keep coming as long as they feel they can get any kind of co-operation. He apologized several times for the harassment of his police. He said he does not have apolice mentality but he realizes that their methods are not the best. I asked him for the names of the police officer who said he didn’t understand why Mr. Hunter couldn’t go into the interior to the project. He hinted that it was Barker. Mingo said there are high officials who don’t understand the conspiracy and so they won’t take the appropriate actions.because they don’t see it as affecting Guyana. He also gave us the name of the guy in parliament that befriended Kathy. His name is Ratsom or Ransom and Mingo doesn’t like him (though he is PNC). Kathy did go to parliament at this guy’s invitation according to Mingo. I told him that was another warning of ours that went unheeded. I said she wanted to get something she could use against Guyana. He nodded.
One thing I didn’t realize is that the ministers of government have no power to hire and fire anyone under them except their personal secretaries. Naturally this causes problems with follow through when someone doesn’t agree with orders. Mingo said that is why a new constitution is needed.
He said Reid is still with us. But he said we could expect additional pressures as a result of being supportive of the PNC. The pressures would come as part of the effort against the referendum which is gaining strong support. (e.g., most doctors and lawyers in the country are lining up to oppose the referendum). I told him we were ready for it but we just wanted to get the lay of the land and not get caught in a vacuum; we wanted to stand for principle and would be with him and Dr. Reid no matter what happened (this was said later in the day to him as per instructions).
He didn’t think we are a condition of the IMF loan and he reiterated that Burnham is opposed to it because he doesn’t want to devalue and he feels their are so many restrictions that it would be like a return to colonialism.
He also repeated that Bunny Mann used to feed Burnham inside info. when Mann was with the PPP. Thus he enjoys a protective status because of the debt Burnham owes him. He doesn’t know if Mann has anything over Burnham.
He said that he noticed the determination that everyone of our people has, whom he has met. He said this with admiration, remarking that it was as a result of JJ’s work and example.
[Handwriting: “added part about Mingo not seeing any chance of a coup”]