For the Record

When British Guiana's far-leftist Premier Cheddi Jagan called on President Kennedy last fall, asking for $60 million he didn't get, he represented himself as a neutralist-type democrat who believes in friendship with both East and West. Last week Jagan faced a three-man commission sent by London to investigate last February's anti-Jagan riots in the British colony perched on South America's northeast coast. The commission's report may well affect Britain's decision on whether it should grant independence this year, and whether Jagan is the man to lead it.

The hearing went this way:

Q. Are you a Communist, Dr. Jagan?

A. You will have to explain what you mean by Communist.

Q. Would you say Fidel Castro is a Communist?

A. I cannot say. That is for him to say.

Q. What are your views on Communism?

Jagan tried to duck the question, but Committee Chairman Sir Henry Wynn Parry insisted on an answer. "If he continues to be silent on the issue," said Parry, "the commission will be forced to take note that the witness has avoided answering this vital question." Enraged, Jagan shouted: "I believe the tenets of Communism to mean 'from each according to his ability and to each according to his need.' And I believe that represents the Communist belief and I accept it." Still angry, he went on to say that he admired Fidel Castro as "the greatest liberator of the 20th century," and admired Nikita Khrushchev as well.

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