Quotations from tributes made to Cheddi Jagan
Jagan, Janet "I can testify to his goodness, to his honesty and integrity, to the lack of concern for the material things in life, to his remarkable intellect, always seeking answers, always examining all aspects of a matter, always seeking the truth. Those who have stood by him faithfully all these trying years, struggling for the people’s rights, know his wishes, his dreams, his plans. All of us will carry the torch he lit so many years ago." Janet Jagan - March 10, 1997
Bisnauth, Dale "A lasting testimony of the man, Cheddi Jagan, was the tribute paid to him on the occasion of his death, by the tens of thousands many of whom had not heard or read his The West On Trial or had come in direct contact with him. His critics may question even the genuineness of his humility, or even that he often spoke scathingly about many people, but the people turned out in their thousands to pay homage to him and to shed a silent tear on his demise. From every walk of life, from every region in this country, from overseas, from every race and religion, from every age group except perhaps, babies, from every political party and persuasion, they came by foot and by every available means, to say thank you to Cheddi Jagan, to honour the best, and to signal that they, instinctively, recognize the best in themselves that, at a time like that they could rise to admire. The people spoke.
There were the silent thousands in Georgetown who patiently snailed their way to view the body in the casket. Who can forget the thousands who lined the route on the East Coast of Demerara and the West Coast of Berbice. There was not a single village where there were not people, the old, the young, the middle-aged and children. They waved their flags, many black, they waved their fare-wells, some wept openly. And, at Albion, a whole night, the whole of the next day and into another night, they came in never-ending, patient, often silent queues to pay tribute to and to honour Cheddi Jagan." Dale Bisnauth – The Measure of the Man
Director of COHA, Mr. Larry Birns "It is no overstatement to say that Jagan was one of Latin America’s towering figures of the twentieth century, and one of the region’s few authentic contemporary democratic figures, both in deed and in exhortation....A philosophical Marxist (as distinct from the Stalinist form, which he came to abhor), he was one of the few world leaders (and maybe the only one) of the political belief that fusing democracy with a distinct public role is a practical basis for policy. In fact his presidency was guided by pragmatism, melded with humanness, and helped preserve a vital germ plasma for a future flowering of a uniquely Latin American form of government aimed at serving all of its population – not just a small minority of well-to-do.... Perhaps, the single-most noteworthy aspect of his personality was that he was free of any meanness or narrowness of vision." March 1997
Bousquet, Earl " Between the 1960s and the 1980s, Dr Jagan, as the General Secretary of the PPP of Guyana, attended the launching of every single progressive political organisation that developed in that period in the Caribbean. He was also a steadfast builder of political movements in the Caribbean, Latin America and the world. He was indeed a committed Caribbean integrationist and an internationalist by name and nature… When Dr Jagan addressed the Decolonisation Committee of the United Nations in the early 60s, his appeal was for independence, not only for British Guiana, but for all colonised people all over the world, for freedom for tri-continental people from Africa to Asia to Latin America and the Caribbean.
Dr Jagan remained a leader and guide in Guyana and the Caribbean. He was a living, legendary inspiration, a fine example -- the best example we knew -- of a gentleman and leader, a simple man of great political and intellectual depth, a warrior with the heart of a lamb, a consistent advocate of world peace, a leader at home whose single most important mission was to achieve once again that level of racial and political unity which existed before the party and people experienced what has proven to be a costly split.
It would be no exaggeration to say that everything Cheddi Jagan said and did while President of the Republic was aimed at that one major objective: unity of the Guyanese people. He lived for that. It meant more to him than being President.
In the Caribbean, he was viewed as the grand old man of Caribbean politics, the one among them who had most trod the length and breadth of the Caribbean turf. He, for example, when he died, had the distinction of being the only head of government to have been present at every single CARICOM Summit since the establishment of CARICOM, whether as President or as Opposition Leader." Earl Bousquet – March 6, 1999
Brotherson, Festus , Jr, "Dr. Jagan's most commendable qualities are his undisputed sincerity of purpose and personal integrity. Although many people might disagree with his ideas, none can impugn his character. He is genuinely committed to the development of Guyana and he cannot be accused of being corrupt. These traits stand out in a society bereft of developmental direction and drifting in a sea of corruption." Dr. Festus Brotherson, Jr,
Bousquet, Earl "How Cheddi and the PPP related to the Grenada Revolution is an interesting story. In the decade of the radical 70s, Cheddi had become the acknowledge “Dean of the Caribbean Revolutionary Movement”. He had played a role – one way or another – in the establishment or growth or every single left, socialist, progressive, anti-imperialist, revolutionary democratic party or movement in every Caricom country: the Antigua-Caribbean Liberation Movement (ACLM) , the Movement for National Liberation (MONALI) of Barbados, the New Jewel Movement (NJM) in Grenada, the Workers Liberation league (WLL) that became the Workers Party of Jamaica (WPJ), the Youlou Liberation Movement (YULIMO) of St. Vincent and the Grenadines that became the United People’s Movement (UPM), the WRM of St. Lucia and the February 18th Movement, the People’s Pressure Movement (PPM) and the National Joint Action Committee (NJAC), all of Trinidad and Tobago.
Truly, during the four and a half years of the Grenada revolution (1979-1983), Cheddi remained a bulwark of support for the revolution and the revolutionary democratic movements throughout the Caribbean, most – if not all – of which he had personally helped plant the seed that bore the revolutionary fruits they eventually became.
But Cheddi was not only a committed Caribbean regionalist; he was also a classic proletarian internationalist. He advocated a New International Economic Order at the United Nations before Fidel Castro did; he advocated a cancelling of Latin America’s international debt in the face of the international economic crisis long before Fidel or Hugo Chavez did. His voice might not have been as loud as theirs, but he was no less respected by any world leader." Bousquet, Earl - March 22. 2011
Chrétien, Jean, Prime Minister of Canada "Dr. Jagan was a true pioneer in the cause of independence, democracy and social justice for the developing world. He was an inspiration for those who dared to dream that a new human order could be created in the world, based on mutual respect and partnership. More than that, he was a born leader, a tireless fighter for his people, as well as a gentle, courteous man who combined charisma with compassion. I count it a privilege to have know him, to have worked with him and to have been his friend." March 1997
Caricom Chairman, Lester Bird "Cheddi Jagan was no "colonial stooge.... No man did more to set his country free. Dr. Jagan can rest comfortably in the secure knowledge that he fulfilled for his country and the region much more than could be expected from a single human being even one as exceptional as he." March 1997
Secretary-General of Caricom, Edwin Carrington"…He was not afraid to employ his considerable talents to forge innovative ideas and approaches in coming to grips with the problems of the region, particularly those imposed by debt and poverty. Indeed Dr. Jagan, may well have left for us a blueprint for enhancing the human condition, in his several viable proposals, the wisdom of which will certainly help to guide the region in the immediate future and beyond… In all his endeavours, Dr. Jagan’s unparalleled humility and humanity saw no issue as being too large or too small when advancing the cause of the common folk… As a people , we are all the richer for the wisdom and contribution of Dr. Jagan." March 1997
The Editorial of the Catholic Standard, March 9, 1997 wrote: "There can be no doubt that Cheddi Jagan is in a class of the great, extraordinary inimitable figures that the twentieth century has produced… One only has to examine the career of this brilliant humanist and the picture of who he truly was, not only gets clearer but more fascinating… Few people around the globe have matched this astonishing energy and indomitable spirit… He did not come within the category of temperamental, impatient, nervously aggressive chauvinistic politicians… He avoided vindictiveness and malice in his relations with all people… He not only avoided the temptations which power brings but also avoided its corruption of wealth…" March 1997
Cox, William - Catholic Standard "He was always willing to answer my questions and to explain events and happenings in Guyana. Cheddi Jagan was never one to dodge or evade issues. He did not employ guile, deceit or bluff when he explained things. Cheddi Jagan spoke straight to your heart from his heart with full honesty. I always looked forward to these chance encounters with Cheddi which heightened my political and social consciousness….. Volumes can be written about this great man. He was a politician who embodied the finest of virtues. He was a man of remarkable integrity and honesty, indefatigable courage, moral consistency and an intellect of the highest standing amongst many other things. Cheddi had boundless faith in the poor and working class and they in turn worshipped him like an icon.
Many like vultures have taken advantage of his genial personality and the fact that as a politician he was empty of malice, spite and vindictiveness." William Cox - Catholic Standard, Sun. March 16, 1997
Chase, Ashton "In Dr. Jagan, the workers found an outstanding champion of their rights. The solemnity of the Legislative Council was rudely shaken by his vigorous advocacy of the cause of the workers. He had a passion for statistics. He used these in his pungent and forceful arguments to expose reaction and to lay before the workers, the vicious system that exploited them. At sitting after sitting, he assaulted the vaunted privileges of capitalists. On many occasions singlehandedly, but nevertheless most heroically and inspiringly he fought for the workers rights”. Ashton Chase – 2013
Drayton, Harold "I want to confirm tonight what I have always acknowledged: despite the hard work of all those who were associated with the University project, it was Cheddi Jagan who was the unfaltering sponsor of UG. And now that I have been busily engaged in looking in detail, especially at the records of 1962, I can tonight sharpen that assessment. Had it not been for Cheddi's steadfastness, in firmly resisting those who as late as December 1962 made their final attempt to reverse his government’s decision to establish an autonomous national institution for Higher Education and Research, UG would almost certainly never have come into being. That is an essential element in the History of our University " Harold Drayton - 2009
Edmonds, Kevin "Dr. Cheddi Jagan, the former President of Guyana—and the hemisphere’s first democratically elected Marxist leader. While that distinction is often mistakenly associated with the election of Chilean President Salvador Allende, Guyana was not only the site of this historic election, but Jagan (not Jacobo Arbenz) was also the first leader in the Americas to fall victim to Cold War military intervention—as Iran’s Mosaddegh was overthrown several months earlier on August 19, 1953.
The misconceptions about Allende’s role as the first elected Marxist leader reveals the unfortunate fact that Jagan is often overlooked in many of the discussions of progressive leadership and their contribution to independence, anti-imperialism and genuine development in the hemisphere. Often, the progressive contribution of Dr. Jagan—with his intense commitment to both democracy and socialism, and the immense obstacles faced by him are often lost and overshadowed in contemporary times by the previously mentioned figures like Allende or Arbenz, or his counterparts Michael Manley, Maurice Bishop, and Jean Bertrand Aristide in the Caribbean. The reality is that with the exception of Haiti—Guyana has been the site of some of the most significant military intervention in the Caribbean, with consequences which have impacted the nation’s efforts to break the cycle of dependency and foster cooperation amongst its population. Dr. Jagan should be remembered for both his efforts to make Guyana a truly independent and more equal society, and as a symbol of what could have been and how far the (neo) colonial powers—the United States and the United Kingdom will go to undermine the possibility of democracy in the Caribbean." Edmonds, Kevin – 2012
Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell "He showed genuine love for all Caribbean peoples and was the champion for the working class in the country and has been consistently so throughout his entire life. I don’t think there is any politician that has shown that longevity in terms of standing for principles despite the difficulties which he had to face in Guyana in the 70’s and the 60’s and so on." March 1997
Guyana's Bishop Randolph George "He was one of nature’s own noblemen. Of irreproachable life he was first and foremost a family man. He was sincere and earnest. What he believed he believed with heart and soul. It will be difficult to find another Guyanese who will embody all his traits; his dedication, his courage, his integrity, his genial personality and genuine instincts. His passing leaves a void which will not easily be filled." March 1997
Hector, Leonard Tim "I participated in a session in Guyana in a preliminary meeting for the Sixth Pan African Congress. One of the young black leaders of the Caribbean, (who shall remain nameless) taunted Cheddi Jagan to the point of ridicule, because he was going to contest the upcoming rigged elections. He was made out to be a fool, a Sisyphian fool, rolling a big stone up a huge hill knowing that the stone would roll down again. And he would have to start all over. Jagan took it. In the laughter aroused, no one bothered to answer Jagan's question in rejoinder: What was the alternative?
I walked away from the meeting, rushed to the bathroom, and for one of the few times in my life since a grown man, I cried. I cried because my own Afro-Caribbean people, who had known much suffering, more than enough of injustice of the bitterest kind, had conspired with the British and Americans to destabilise and ruin a fine man. Worse my own colleagues were taunting this historical figure, the butt of American and British cruelty, for having been denied his just due - victory in an election. Democracy itself was mocked. And here we were, the most conscious, the most advanced, ridiculing the victim - Cheddi Jagan. Jagan through it all kept his head erect. There was no intemperance, though hurt.
Jagan did not even bother to respond to those hot-heads, who using popular jargon of the time, without thought, but sounding hip, urged "armed struggle" as the only solution to overcoming the rigged elections. Jagan knew that such "armed struggle" would begin and end as a race war.
It was not just a noble life, but in historical terms, Cheddi Jagan deserves the title: Modern Martyr and Exemplar of the new Caribbean…. That categorisation puts Cheddi in a very special category of Third World figures. It ranks him with Jacobo Arbenz of Guatemala, Moussdegh of Iran, Juan Bosch of the Dominican Republic and Salvador Allende of Chile. Political figures democratically elected but overthrown by the United States or Britain, or both…. Jagan heads the class, because twice overthrown, twice he returned to power - the last time after more than a quarter of a century in the wilderness. It is an unimpeachable record of faith, patience, strength of mind and invincibility of character, all executed with the most admirable, but unpretentious dignity.
Cheddi Jagan lived a noble life. Of few, if any, that can be said in the Caribbean, among those who held state power. The big names of the western world, Winston Churchhill and Harold MacMillan, John Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Dean Rusk had all conspired against him backed by their enormous Intelligence and military machines. Jagan resisted, retreated but never surrendered." Leonard Tim Hector - Cheddi Jagan: Modern Martyr and Exemplar of the New Caribbean
James, CLR "…Dr Jagan is no petty racialist, not at all. I am unalterably opposed to the political philosophy which he accepts. I am unalterably opposed to its methods. I have told him so in person. And therefore there is no reason why I should not say so in public. He has not hidden his views; there is no reason for me to hide mine.
“But in regard to his aims for British Guiana, and for the West Indies as a whole, they are those of an enlightened modern person. He is not counting up how many Indians, and how many Africans and how many acres of land, and basing the future of British Guiana on that. Some of his supporters might be doing that, but his general view is not that at all.” CLR James - Ralph Ramkarran - (March 24,2018) Cheddi Jagan On The West Indies Federation: ClR James On Cheddi Jagan.
Lamming, George "The name Cheddi Jagan has acquired for more than one generation, the feel of permanence and awe which time confers on certain historical monuments; and there was something monumental in the consistence of purpose and the unique kind of dedication which he brought to the public life of the people of Guyana.
There is no Caribbean leader who has been so frequently cheated of office, none who has been so grossly misrepresented, and no one who, in spite of such adversity, was his equal in certainty of purpose and the capacity to go on and on until his time had come to take leave of us.
And in my own personal experience, I know no other Caribbean leader with whom sharp and wide disagreement could also be the occasion for a warm and fraternal embrace." George Lamming - Change his Dream
Ishmael, Odeen " Mrs. Janet Jagan, told me of an incident that gave a vivid illustration of his sense of dedication and determination. In the early 1960s when he was Premier, the two of them were spending a short vacation in Trinidad at a house on the bank of a river. The owner of the house gave them a boat outfitted with a little outboard engine if ever they wished to explore the river. One day they finally used the boat but somehow ended up in the stormy ocean. Then the engine stopped. Dr. Jagan tugged at the starting cord, but it would not restart. By this time, high waves were driving them toward huge outcrops of rocks near to shore, and while Mrs. Jagan was in a panic and fearing for their lives, he patiently and seemingly without any sign of worry, calmly continued trying to restart the engine. The little boat was almost about to be smashed on the rocks when the engine finally burst into life. He had tried more than thirty times, but finally got it working, and they were able to escape danger in the nick of time. Such was the determination of Cheddi Jagan - a quality which he displayed throughout, even up to the day he died.
Some years ago an elderly Enmore gentleman told me that during the 1948 sugar strike, the expatriate owners of Enmore estate instructed the police to arrest Cheddi Jagan if he should ever "set foot" on their property. Of course this threat did not deter the Guyanese leader; he turned up on the public road, placed a small wooden crate on the roadside, and addressed the striking workers. The police could not arrest him for "trespassing" because he had not "set foot" on the estate’s private property!" Odeen Ishmael - Cheddi Jagan's Ideas Will Live On
McDonald, Ian (Guyanese poet) "I feel particularly sad the Dr. Jagan did not have at least some time to rest, reflect on the struggles and achievements of a great life, and write down for us and succeeding generations the experiences and lessons of an extraordinary lifetime… He deserved a few quiet years in the bosom of his family, his party and the nation. Of course he would have scoffed at such suggestions… He would have wanted to work hard to the end.… He was not cut to be a bystander… Still those years of peace and writing he might have had are a loss to the rest of us. His voice would have been heard on the side of reconciliation and national unity. His presence would have been a stabilizing anchor in whatever storms might blow. His memories written down, and reflections refined by deeper thought, would have provided an absolutely unique picture of Guyana and its history in a long and abundantly filled life." Ian McDonald - 1997
McDonald, Ian "I have a particular memory of Dr. Jagan which I treasure. It was on no great state occasion, at no momentous political event, during no gathering of the eminent and the famous. He was at Rose Hall estate to give out house lot deeds to about fifty sugar workers. It was pouring with rain but he did not think of cancelling and they did not think of not attending. When it came to his turn to speak an aide handed him a speech, I suppose, but he gave a smile and did not take it. He then spoke from the heart to those few sugar workers and their families in the falling rain and I have never heard words so clear and powerful and suitable. Not a long speech, no rolling periods. No ideology, but simple words spoken in a straight line to their heads and hearts. How their ancestors had suffered much in slavery and indenture. But now through years of struggle and sacrifice a different time had come, a better time, a prouder time. But they should know it was a time when they must bear responsibility, they must take care of what they had won, they must show they were worthy of the efforts of those who had gone before. Now they must look after their house lots and improve them, they must leave things better for their children. He trusted them. He had always trusted them. They must remember what he said. It was not really a speech. They had gathered around him and he was telling them the truth. I swear they will never forget what he said. And somehow on that quite insignificant occasion I knew I had got a glimpse of genuine political genius and what this man meant to the mass of people who loved him very much." Ian McDonald - March 17, 2024
Millette, James “The last time I was here was in August 1996 and that was the last time I saw Cheddi. It was on the occasion of the conference called to establish a New Global Human Order which took place here in Georgetown between the 2nd and 4th August in 1996…I had a special experience with Cheddi while I was here that was unique to my experience….I came to the conference and I was staying at the hotel. He heard that I was staying at the hotel and he sent for me. I went. He said, " Bring your things, come and stay with me." So I stayed with him. Normally we would have breakfast in the morning, and the lady who was working with him as his helper would prepare it. But one morning she was absent. And here I was in the State House with the President of Guyana, and I was reconciling myself to the prospect of not having breakfast when he said to me, "What do you want for breakfast"? I said: "I don’t think I need breakfast, I'll manage." To which he replied, "Sure we will have breakfast." And the President of Guyana proceeded to prepare breakfast for myself and for himself. I had never had such an experience before; and I am reserving a special place in my memoirs, when they are written, to tell about the day that I had breakfast in the State House served to me by the President of the Republic of Guyana, Dr. Cheddi Jagan.” James Millette – March 22, 2000
Mohamed, Feroze "What stood out in Comrade Cheddi were his unswerving commitment to principles, his foremost loyalty to the cause of the working people, his burning desire to bring about social and economic justice, his tremendous optimism even on occasions when the situation would appear grim.
Once in a while, history provides a people with a leader who is truly outstanding. Dr. Cheddi Jagan was such a leader. His role, his various contributions, accomplishments and struggles reverberate well beyond his homeland. What distinguished him from others was that special ability to understand the central contradiction of the times, to grasp the most critical question of the day and ably articulate them in a simple and understandable way. He was able, thus, to inspire and lead masses into struggle. Dr. Jagan has repeatedly demonstrated this quality and it was this, among others, that endeared him to his people and sustained his popularity among the masses for five decades." Feroze Mohamed – 1997 eulogy.
Ramkarran, Ralph "Perhaps Jagan’s greatest hour was the 28 years that he spent in the wilderness due to manipulated electoral practices. After the betrayal of the West, and in search of allies, he went from progressive nationalist to communist, in the years when the socialist and, more importantly, the Third World and the national liberation movement, allied to the socialist world, were at their strongest. While his stature grew exponentially because of his advocacy for liberation and the end of exploitation and poverty, against war and oppression, his steadfastness and commitment to principle and to the disadvantaged, were admired. During this period he showed no bitterness, displayed humility, lived simply and shrugged off all the insults and attacks that were heaped upon him. He was never given to flights of oratory, or the quoting of Latin aphorisms to farmers or workers at public meetings. He frequently stopped at street corners on his way home from work in the afternoons when he saw a group of persons to engage them with his chart, which he kept in the trunk of his car, to demonstrate how profits are extracted from poor countries by multinationals or how poverty could be reduced by eliminating waste and expenditure on arms.
I must not forget the unique blend of humanitarian qualities embellished by the famous Berbician charm and fighting spirit which Cheddi Jagan displayed throughout his life. These enabled him to develop a capacity for intense but patient debate which we all need to try to emulate. He was the ultimate teacher who led by the examples of constant study, writing, lecturing and discussion with those of us who were less endowed. He never showed contempt, conceit, or arrogance in the long years in which he dealt with enormous challenges both within the Party and in the country at large. With endless patience and understanding he sought to persuade us to his view of the world and that is why he deserves our admiration and that of all progressive humanity." Ralph Ramkarran – 2006 Some Thoughts on the Life and Legacy of Cheddi Jagan
Ramkarran, Ralph "On May 26, 1966, Burnham, then Premier, was stunned by an unfamiliar act of forgiveness and generosity - the appearance of Cheddi Jagan, no longer in power, at the National Park to celebrate with him Guyana’s new status as an independent country and the realization of his dream and pledge in 1949 at Enmore to devote himself to the liberation of Guyana. The now famous embrace between these two leaders, who have shaped so much of Guyana’s political consciousness, says nothing about Forbes Burnham, the victor, but everything about Cheddi Jagan, the vanquished." Ralph Ramkarran – 2010 Celebrating the Month of Cheddi Jagan
Ramsahoye, Fenton "As Premier this was his clear example which his Ministers followed. With them he was able to establish for the world to see that public administration could be honourable and accountable. He had total respect for all laws which dealt with the public finances. He will be remembered as having given the best of his life in political and public service but his enduring legacy to the world is the lesson which no Guyanese should ever forget and that is that it is possible to constitute and administer a government wholly devoid of corruption." - Tribute to Cheddi Jagan - May 25, 1997
Teixeira, Gail “On the softer side, Cheddi loved being with children. I remember always a certain period when Cheddi and I had some major disagreements and we had some ding dong differences and he knew that I was upset and angry. But later that day as it was his day off and it was during the July-August holidays, he stopped and picked up my children and other comrades’ children and took them all swimming. Of course when I came home my children were sun-burnt and happy and delighted to be with Cheddi and Cheddi the President! After that how could l be angry with him? This was the way between him and I that we had our own forgiveness…My children up to day remember the fun they had on these swimming days with Cheddi, and l am glad they and other children got the opportunity to know him, the person." Gail Teixeira – March 2003
Thomas, Clive "….There was never any fault in his ideology. It was always, always, always a constant struggle and those sessions that I held with him have convinced me that he never stopped thinking. He never stopped searching for new ideas and new approaches. He could always show generosity of spirit and generosity of intellect, I think, in recognizing that he had to engage in dialogue if we had to move ourselves forward in this society. So I am grateful for this particular opportunity you have given me. I have never discussed these things, as I said, in public before, nor have I spoken of them to people in private. Many people did not even know, I don’t think anybody in Guyana now really knows how I first met him.” Clive Thomas – March 6, 2002
More Quotations by Cheddi Jagan