“We have been doing all we can to support Rodney CoI” – GDF Chief-of-Staff

Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Mark Phillips has refuted claims that the military was deliberately seeking to stymie the work of the ongoing Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI) by failing to provide pertinent documents to the Commission.

The Army Chief noted that it was against his “policy”, to be involved in such a practice, pointing out that the organisation has been doing all it can to assist the work of the Tribunal.

During his cross examination at the fourth sitting of the Walter Rodney CoI earlier this month, lawyer representing the interest of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) Christopher Ram had accused the GDF of tampering with the investigation into the death of Dr Rodney, in an effort to hide pertinent information which could corroborate allegations that it had a hand in aiding former member and accused assassin William “Gregory” Smith, out of the jurisdiction on June 14, 1980.

But Phillips in responding to that allegation reiterated that the Army had already pledged its support to the Commission. “You will recall that when the Commission was established, one of the first organisations that commissioners contacted was the GDF when they made a courtesy call to the organisation, since then we have indicated that we will cooperate fully with the Rodney Commission of Inquiry”.

Brigadier Phillips said the Army has since been doing so and has provided all of the documents that have been requested by the Commission. Asked about the missing documents, Phillips said he could not say because all the documents in the possession of the Army have been handed over.

“I am not aware of any covering up. It’s not my policy to cover-up in this regard as it pertains to the Commission”, he told reporters on Tuesday.

The Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry, probing the circumstances surrounding the death of the Working People’s Alliance Leader, Dr Walter Anthony Rodney, had requested from the military, information that would assist it in determining whether or not “Gregory” Smith was indeed whisked away to Kwakwani in one of its aircraft, a few hours after Dr Rodney was assassinated. But Colonel Cargill Kyte, former head of the Air Corps, informed the Commission that the records requested could not be found.

He said too that searches were carried out at the Air Corps for documents relating to the flights carried out on June 14, 1980, but again none was found.

The Commission had also sought information which would assist it in confirming that Smith was employed by the organsaition. While a pay sheet with the name “William Smith” was presented to the Commission, Officer-in-Charge of the GDF Personnel Department, Lieutenant Colonel West told the Commission that he did not find a “Gregory” Smith.