Dear Editor,

I have been following the Roger Khan saga, have been analysing his public statements, Government's response to those statements, I also did some covert investigations and found as follows:

There is evidence to suggest that Mr Roger Khan was unquestionably, genuinely concerned about the crime situation since the prison escape in 2002 and as a result used his own resources to fund his crime fighting operations.

There is evidence to suggest that Mr Roger Khan during his operations which commenced in 2002 had the blessings of certain senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs and at least one very senior officer of the Guyana Police Force who provided him with a few serving members of the Guyana Police Force to aid him in the (his) fight against crime. It must be mentioned also that there are instances where other members of the force were recruited by Mr Khan without administrative approval.

That Mr Khan's crime fighting unit was effective in the fight against crime and was responsible for the demise of most of the escapees.

That Mr Khan's men had successfully infiltrated the gang in Buxton also called the African resistance or Freedom fighters.

That Mr Khan on a daily basis reported to a senior official of the government on intelligence gathered and action taken.

It is a fact that Mr Khan and his men were responsible for supplying intelligence to the authorities which resulted in the safe return of the kidnapped US diplomat and a wanted bulletin for Shawn Brown.

Intelligence suggests that Mr Khan's crime fighting unit consisted of about 15 persons of which at least seven were serving members of the force all of whom were heavily armed whenever they confronted the criminals.

Enquiries failed to confirm whether the weapons used by Mr Khan's men which consisted of AK 47s, M 70s and 9MM pistols were police issued or were obtained unlawfully.

It is a known fact from intelligence gathered that when Mr Felix assumed the office of Commissioner he had no intentions of having Mr Khan and his men as part of a crime fighting mechanism as Mr Felix felt it was unlawful which led to many disagreements on policy etc and the subsequent transfer of ranks whom it was felt were involved with Mr Khan. This was the beginning of what is now following between Mr Felix and Khan.

It is my humble opinion that even though Mr Khan's involvement may have been unlawful at the time it was necessary as the police were clearly outgunned and were being killed like dogs on the streets. This was also confirmed by former Minister Gajraj who said during the enquiry that while the police were hiding Mr Williams was out there. I may also mention that Mr Khan was not the only businessman involved in assisting in the fight against crime, another well known businessman who was kidnapped also had a body of armed men who protected his interest and were also going after the prison escapees, some of whom were also killed by this businessman's men.

I conclude by saying that even though there is evidence to suggest that certain senior officials knew of the existence of these Phantom Squads and used their offices to facilitate them in the fight against crime which may be unlawful in normal times I felt it was justifiable in abnormal times given the situation then that prevailed for without their involvement the criminals would have taken over this country.

Yours faithfully,

Robert Gates